Volvo hatches revolution

ZEBRA stripes, polka dots and fiery flames are more than just vulgar silliness at Volvo.

And so are butterflies for the bonnet.

The crazy colour choices are the latest way the sensible Swedes are trying to win BMW and Mini people, and other trendy X-gen shoppers, across to their compact C30.

The baby hatch has changed the direction at Volvo, where it is seen as the pointer to a new generation of customer-focused cars with more than just safety-first engineering.

Now it comes with a genuine chance for unique bodywork, thanks to the same sort of stick-on plastic film that is used to dress up company cars and trumpet new advertising programs on the sides of cars and buses.

There is even a checkered-flag roof panel; just like a Mini.

The special patterns were introduced in Sweden at the start of April — sensibly, one week after April 1 — and are now being assessed for Australia.

“It is only available in Sweden at the moment, but it's definitely on the wish list at Volvo Car Australia,” company spokeswoman Laurissa Mirabelli says.

“It would definitely work here for the C30. They are the sort of people who would like to personalise their cars. It's not our top priority, but when it becomes available we will definitely take a look.”

Volvo claims the stick-on dress-ups are a first and, in sensible style, highlight the protective advantage of a plastic cover on a car's paintwork.

“The adhesive film is a good way to protect the car's bodywork, at the same time as it offers scope for varying the vehicle's appearance,” Volvo Personbilar Sverige president Thomas Andersson says.

“The film guarantees durability for about two years after which it is replaced with a new variant or removed. In the meantime, the car's paintwork has been spared the rigours of the weather, wind and risk of stone-chip damage.”

He says Volvo's designers have gone crazy and designs include urban panoramas complete with rainbows, wood panelling and clouds.

Volvo is pushing the personalisation potential of the C30, claiming there are 12,314 possible combinations of models, mechanical packages and options. Price could be a problem for Australia, though Volvo says the success of a similar Mini program shows it can work.

“In Sweden it costs the equivalent of about $2000, but we would have to look at the price if we can get it here,” Mirabelli says.

“It's a bit different to Mini. It's not something you put on and leave. You can change your mind and take it off again.

“It's not in the plan for our 2009 cars, but we will definitely look at it.”

To show what cars could look like, Volvo has created a website at www.volvoc30.se