The test vehicle also had a small cargo cover in the back. While it can be cumbersome at times, this panel does a great job of hiding all your valuables from preying eyes and potential thieves. I don't understand why Volvo made it optional ($350) given that the rear glass hatch is easy to break with a crowbar.

Everything else is typical C30
Beyond these gadgets, the T5 R-Design model remains a true C30 at heart, delivering powerful, linear accelerations with sustained enthusiasm. The turbocharged 5-cylinder engine is 2-second faster from 0 to 100 km/h than the naturally-aspirated 2.4L.

The 5-speed automatic transmission with Geartronic manual mode ($1,500) proved to be a wonderful teammate. This flexible, well-calibrated unit is a lot of fun when manually changing gears on twisty roads.

The 2009 Volvo C30 T5 offers a smooth ride thanks to a finely-tuned suspension and a sharp steering.

Fuel economy surprised me. After 1,200 kilometers of city and highway driving, I wound up with an average of 9 liters per 100 kilometers. While the C30 2.4i does slightly better, this figure is still pretty commendable for a turbocharged hot hatch. Granted, the T5 model is costlier to run since it requires premium gasoline.

Superb tourer
The 2009 Volvo C30 T5 offers a smooth ride thanks to a finely-tuned suspension and a sharp steering. The nicely-sculpted buckets are a real treat in terms of comfort. However, the rear seats are quite small. You won't hear complaints from pre-school kids, but anyone taller should hope that the drive is not too long, especially adults.

As for Volvo's Blind Sport Information System ($750), I still question its merit. The small warning lights tend to flash way too often, for example in dense traffic. Like Peter who cried wolf, you start to forget about them after a while. What's more, BLIS will sometimes warn you of obstacles that don't even exist! Go figure...

Still, if I were in the market for a premium sport compact, I would take the Volvo C30 in a heartbeat. It's one of the rare cars that inspire driving enthusiasts even at idle -- with or without the R-Design badge. You can mark my words!


Photo Credit : Luc Gagné