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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday May 14, 2008 - 21 FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED You'll Love Our Service! 905-335-4080 BURLINGTON LINE Discover the long-awaited 2008 Volvo C30 By Rob Beintema OAKVILLE BEAVER The long-awaited Volvo C30 may be the smallest and least expensive car in Volvo's lineup but the company also regards it as the most expressive car in its model range. With its sporty take on the classic Volvo face up front, its fastback profile, glass-hatched rear, and only in its second year, the C30 offers a unique alternative in the entry level premium market. You can trace the C30's roots back to the P1800 ES wagon of the `70s. Maybe even back to the 480 model. Or, more recently, to the SCC design study that somehow managed to successfully follow the Volvo safety mantra while still creating a very sexy concept. We can credit a Canadian ­ Simon Lamarre ­ with penning the C30 design, a modern sport hatch evolution that builds on the smooth contours and strong shoulder lines that Peter Horbury originally introduced to break Volvo out of its boxy body image. When I see those curved shoulder lines from the rear, I always wonder if the design was unconsciously influenced by the Dutch-gabled architecture that was historically adopted by the Swedes and that is so prevalent throughout old, downtown Stockholm. Slip inside the car, though, and forget about history. The C30 interior has been designed with a clean and thoroughly modern Scandinavian simplicity. Not exactly an IKEA interior but close with a minimalistic but very functional and ergonomic design. There are two trim levels ­ the 2.4i and the turbo-powered T5. I was in the plain Jane entry level, frankly, almost too plain for a model pushing a sporty image. The biggish steering wheel and plastic stalks seemed almost standard Volvo issue. And gray. "Hey Olaf," I mumbled aloud. "How about a little brushed metal highlighting, maybe, I don't know, some silver around the steering wheel spokes?" Realizing that pragmatic Swedes are about as ambivalent as the Amish when it comes to ornamentation, I figured I was probably beating my head against the wall when it came to the whole bling thing. But then, opening the brochure, I noted an available sport steering wheel with aluminum insert, perfect to complement the breakthrough design of the floating aluminum centre console. Ah, that's a little more like it. And looking around further, it was obvious that the over- all look and feel inside the C30 reflects the quality of craftsmanship and materials that one would expect from Volvo or any premium product. The seats are well-bolstered and all-day comfortable with adjustments for height, posture, lumbar support and legroom. Yes, there's room for four. We managed four adults with a little compromise from the front row. Which I won't complain about with so many bigger Volvos available for purchase. But I imagine most of the customer base for this vehicle will be singles or young career couples who, like me, will usually drive with the rear seat folded down, available for cargo and only occasional passenger use. Continued on Page 23 BUILT FOR LIVING. THE 2008 B - CLASS ­ NOW STARTING FROM $29,900. B200 MSRP $29,900 OR WITH 1,530L OF CARGO SPACE, the extraordinarily versatile Mercedes-Benz B-Class is back for more in 2008. Its height-adjustable cargo floor and split-folding rear seats make loading and unloading a snap. And its optional SIRIUS Satellite Radio makes driving a joy. Simply put, it's perfect for people with active lifestyles. Drop by and test drive the 2008 B-Class at your local Mercedes-Benz dealer today. © 2008 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. *Lease offer based on a new B200 available only through Mercedes-Benz Financial on approved credit for a limited time. $278/$358 per month for 39/39 months. Down payment or equivalent trade of $2,950/$0 plus first monthlypayment and security deposit of $300/$400 and applicable taxes due at lease inception. MSRP starting at $29,900. A.L.R. of 2.5$/2.5% applies. Total obligation is $14,092/$14,362. 18,000 km/year allowance ($0.20/km for excess kilometres applies). APR rate of 4.78%/4.63% is based on the alternative cash purchase incentive of $1,500 added to the base rate of 2.5% which provides the true APR rate. The alternative cash purchase incentive of $1,500 and the 2.5% rate cannot be combined. Freight/PDI (up to $1,895 ­ dealer may charge less), licence, insurance, registration, taxes and PPSA are extra. Dealer may lease for less. Offer may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. For specific cash purchase incentives on a specific model, please visit your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for details. Offer on for a limited time only. Demonstrators. Only 2 left. Available now with 2.5% lease rate. YEAR 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 MODEL B200 B200 B200 B200 B200 STOCK # MB80061 MB80062 MB80105 MB80147 MB80155 KILOMETERS 4163 5041 2832 4355 3107 FULL MSRP (Incl. Freight & PDI) EQUIPMENT Premium Package, Automatic Premium Package, Automatic Premium Package, Automatic, Lamella Roof, Metallic Paint SALE PRICE $33,995.00 $33,995.00 $36,152.00 $36,152.00 $37,752.00 $36,862.00 $38,073.00 $35,595.00 SOLD Premium Package, Automatic, SOLD Lamella Roof $34,695.00 Premium Package, Sport Package, Automatic, Lamella Roof SOLD$35,995.00 2008 Proud of our heritage Oakville Autohaus (905) 845-6623 Excited by our future www.m-boakvilleautohaus.ca 300 South Service Road West, Oakville, Ontario L6J 5A2