A sporty two-door concept car, which goes on show at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Moreover, it will provide a strong indication of the design of an exciting, new smaller Volvo C30 model it will launch at the Paris Motor Show in September.

The Volvo C30 Design Concept is a sporty two-door, four-seater with a glass tailgate. The sleek, modern look is exhibited in a contrasting combination of two colours; Quite White and Very Bronze. The design clearly reflects several elements from the Volvo Safety Concept Car.

The styling of the C30 Design Concept is inspired by the classic Volvo P1800 ES and Volvo's recent SCC (Safety Concept Car) and incorporates today's modern Volvo styling cues such as a boat-shaped aerodynamic front section and shapely rear shoulders enhanced by the horseshoe-shaped rear light clusters.

Five-cylinder turbo engine with 260 horsepower

Measuring 424 centimetres front to rear, the Volvo C30 Design Concept is no less than 23 centimetres shorter than the Volvo S40, but slightly wider (178 centimetres).

Under the bonnet the Volvo C30 Design Concept has an in-line five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbocharged engine. It gives the driver 260 horsepower at 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 158lb-ft between 2100 and 5000 revs. The car is fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Volvo C30 Design Concept accelerates from 0-62.16 in 6 seconds and its top speed is electronically limited to 155.4.