2012 Volvo C70 Inscription Review

Sport-Tuned Luxury Convertible

A three-quarter rear view of a 2012 Volvo C70 Inscription

In short: A high-performance, specially-tuned luxury convertible.

Limited to only 500 models in the U.S., the special-edition Inscription improves upon the already-impressive Volvo C70, boosting the luxury convertible's performance while adding several subtle-yet-appreciated design improvements. Specially tuned by Polestar, the Inscription's turbocharged 5-cylinder engine earns 23 horsepower more than the base model, raising its total to an athletic 250 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Also included in the package are 18-inch gloss-black Midir wheels, a chrome-trimmed black grille, a rear spoiler and a leather-covered dashboard, handbrake lever and armrest. Of course, this being Volvo, passengers also have the peace of mind knowing that they are riding in not only one of the hottest cars on the road, but also one of the safest, with rollover and whiplash protection systems, automatic hazard lights and a reinforced passenger compartment all coming standard on the Volvo C70.

Warranty/Service: Five-year/50,000-mile limited warranty; five-year/50,000-mile complimentary scheduled service and repair; five-year/50,000-mile wear and tear coverage; five-year roadside assistance.

QUICK SHEET

Base Price: $40,450 / As Tested: $50,375

Technical Specifications

Vehicle type: front engine, front-wheel drive, 4-passenger, 2-door convertible

Engine: 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine
Horsepower: 250 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque: 273 lb-ft @ 1,500-5,000 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed Geartronic automatic with Adaptive Shift Logic

Curb weight: 3,837 lbs
Wheelbase: 103.9 in
Length/Width/Height: 180.4/72.3/55.1 in
Turning circle: 38.7 ft

Brakes: 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and elecronic brakeforce distribution
Suspension: independent strut front; multi-link rear

Traction: Dynamic Stability Traction Control

EPA City:18 mpg
EPA Highway: 28 mpg

Safety: dual-stage driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger side impact airbags; door-mounted side curtain airbags

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Photography: AlphaMedia

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(Updated: 01/31/13 NW)

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