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The C30 never feels like it'll deposit you in a barrier, but it's a hell of a lot more involving than, say, that Golf R. In truth, the aggressive diff and brake set-up would probably be deemed a bit lairy for everyday use, but on a twisty road, it's one of the most entertaining cars we've driven in years.
It doesn’t look half bad, either. Those ‘eyebrows’ over the front arches and kick-up front winglets have been inspired by the C30 touring car, and there’s a double spoiler at the rear for added downforce. The cabin isn’t quite so successful – there’s more suede in here than a Britpop revival night – but the stitchy race seats are lovely, lovely things.
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The Polestar C30 uses the 2.5-litre turbo five-pot already found in the T5 (and the Focus ST and RS), but heavily revised and fitted with a larger turbocharger to achieve that 300kW output. There's less turbo lag than you'd think, and once the engine gets spinning past 4,000rpm, things get all warpy and ballistic. Oh, and it sounds like half an old F1 engine. Deafening. Brilliant.
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This is the Volvo C30 Polestar Concept, a 300kW, all-wheel-drive mini-monster built by Volvo's official Swedish race outfit. And TopGear has just driven it round Volvo's Gothenburg test track...
It is fast. Worryingly fast. One of the very quickest small things we've ever driven. Polestar says the C30 recorded a 0-100 time of 4.6 seconds... and that was going easy on the transmission. They reckon a full-bore test would see it go close to four seconds flat. It'll lap Volvo's test track quicker than an Evo X... and within a few seconds of Volvo's C30 touring car. -
There are a number of Very Fast Hot Hatches around at the moment. The 260kW Focus RS500 has just landed. We're getting our hands on the 294kW Cosworth Impreza very, very soon. And don't forget about the Golf R.
But this might just be the fastest of the bunch...Words: Sam Philip
Photography: Jamie Lipman -
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Volvo sold to Chinese
Car maker Geely buys Swedish firm for $2bn, Ford takes a huge hit
Read about Volvo -
DS3 gets real
Citroen's posh new supermini is exactly like the concept, and that’s a good thing...
Read about the DS3 -
Short and Swede
Volvo gives its D5 turbodiesels a huge performance upgrade. 20bhp!
Read about the Volvos -
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New Citroen C3: first look
Citroen's new supermini gets greener and much glassier...
Read about the new C3 -
Citroen C3
A small hatch that’s quite funky but of dubious build quality. Nowhere near good enough to compete in this fast-moving market. Why have this when you can have a C4?
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Clarkson hearts small cars
JC admits that the Fiat 500 is better than the Zonda. Seriously
Read Top Gear's Guide to Small Cars
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