Drop-top Volvo has a layer of cool

It’s not as new as claimed, but still a head-turner.

As is the trend these days, Volvo insists on calling it 'new' when in reality it remains 99% the same as last year's model and the tweaked front and rear ends only barely distinguish this year's model from last year's version.

Look carefully and you will probably notice that the front wings have been redesigned, the nose is slightly more elegant, the headlights have been reshaped and re-positioned, and the air intake is slightly bigger.

A light touch

The tail end boasts a reshaped bumper and minor changes to the lights.

The interior has been modernized with redesigned instruments and new panel textures, and the seats now have softer hide covering which, Volvo says, adds to the luxurious ambience of the living quarters.

There's a bit more space in the rear than convertibles usually have.

Unfortunately there are still some ye olde worlde features that distract from the classy surroundings - the large, old-fashioned key which protrudes from the instrument panel, the ugly handbrake lever that has to be hoisted up and down (heard about a press button or foot-operated brake, Volvo?) and the wagon wheel steering wheel are all relics of the past.

However, one of the C70's most appealing features is its large three-piece folding steel roof that takes about 30 seconds to go up or down, transforming it from a cosy coupe into quite a snazzy convertible.

The car has a nice layer of cool, particularly viewed from the front in spite of its rather chunky bum which is so typical of all metal fold-downs. It drew quite a few admiring glances during the time I spent at the wheel around the Peninsula and along the West Coast.

Any engine you like - so long as it's the turbo T5

Most convertibles are not really comfortable four-seaters, in spite of carmakers' claims, although the C70 offers a little more space than some others.

Here's looking at you... The peek-a-boo headlights help you see around corners.

The cabin is relatively noise free and the rather clever raked design of the windscreen helps to reduce wind buffeting.

As with the previous model the latest C70 offers only one engine choice, a turbocharged T5 that pumps out 169kW and 320Nm which is enough for a top speed of 240km/h and a zero to 100km/h dash time of about 8 seconds .

Acceleration is brisk rather than dazzling and the auto shift is creamy smooth even when one stomps on the loud pedal on take-off or when overtaking.

Volvo steering has never really been pin-sharp and under the whip the coupe-convertible does feel its size and weight through tight corners, although most Volvo drivers will probably never push their pride and joys to the point where this becomes noticeable.

The raked windscreen helps reduce buffeting.

The coupe sits fairly well on the road but the suspension does tend to thump and bump and there is noticeable body shiver and shake on rougher sections.

Very safe, my mate, and a shining example at that

Renowned for its outstanding safety features, Volvo has given the C70 the fullhouse treatment including roll-over protection with an inflatable curtain, side impact bags and ABS brakes with EBD and EBA - and one of my favourite night-driving innovations, peek-a-boo headlights that turn in tandem with the steering wheel.

And on the point of lights - few carmakers produce cars with better lights than Volvo and the C70 is a shining example (oops, sorry about that) of how good the Swedes are about lighting up the road after dark.

Although hugely popular in Europe, Volvo is not a big seller in this country and with its Chinese Geely-owned future it is unlikely to turn into a major seller overnight. However, the carmaker has an excellent reputation for quality and safety and its cars have become less chunky and much prettier of late, as is the case with this new drop-top and also the cocky, refurbished C30.

The C70 is not the most exciting car to drive, but it is a very attractive and safe four-seater coupe-convertible that will probably appeal mainly to the more mature market... just a pity that its sizzling price sticker of R529 600 will probably encourage some potential buyers to look elsewhere.