2009 AWD Volvo C30 R-Design hot hatchback

AWD Volvo C30 R-Design will sport a 300hp engine

AWD 2009 Volvo C30 R-Design, a spiced-up version of the recently unveiled Volvo C30 hatchback will soon start shipping to a dealership near you.

The car will be motivated by the same 2.5-liter 300hp T5 five-cylinder turbo engine that the new Ford Focus RS super-hot hatch comes powered with.

2009 AWD Volvo C30 R-Design hot hatchback

However, the new iteration of the C30 will have its engine mated to a much more interesting Haldex AWD system, while the Focus RS has to transfer all of this enormous power to the front wheels.

The Volvo C30 T5 R-Design will roll on a set of five-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels with color-keyed brake calipers and will be fitted with an aero kit. Inside the car, there will be a set of sports seats.

Besides the bucket seats, the interior of the car will also feature a DVD-based entertainment system with a GPS navigation unit, a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with an aluminum inlay and the R-Design logo at 6 o’clock, and those unavoidable “sports pedals”.

Of course, the car will be shipped with a fancy body kit, which includes a set of wheel-arch extensions, spoiler lip on the front bumper, new side skirts and a tailgate spoiler. The rear bumper will also feature larger holes for the bigger sports exhaust tips.

4500 of special edition cars will be made, with about 40 percent of them going to the UK.

No info on pricing yet, but it is quite clear that the spec.ed. vehicle will compete against the new VW Golf R32, Audi S3 Quattro with DSG gearbox, Mini Clubman, Subaru Impreza and BMW 1-Series. So, you probably get the idea.

Photos: Volvo

See also: 2008 Volvo C30 T5 tuned by Lexmaul