Gone are the days when Volvos were designed with set squares and rulers alone.

We've just seen the production version of the C30 - the Swedish manufacturer's small hatch - and it's looking as curvaceous as the concept we saw earlier this year.

Volvo has dubbed the four-seater C30 a 'sports coupe' because of its all-glass rear hatch, and has lined it up to compete with the big boys from Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

Whether Volvo has the kudos to pull that off remains to be seen, but with a 220bhp T5 petrol engine on offer, as well as a 2.4-litre turbocharged diesel unit, the C30 shouldn't be short in the performance stakes.

There's a choice of eight engines in total, so you should be able to find something to suit your pocket and right foot.

Prices for the C30 will range from £14,750 for the base-level 1.6-litre petrol model, rising to £22,995 for the T5 SE Sport.

Read Volvo C30 Car Review

Volvo C30 road test
Volvo C30 - October 3, 2006