Ford Motor Company's Volvo Cars division plans to expand its product lineup in the United States with the launch of the 2008 Volvo C30 hatchback model, entering the popular small car segment.

When the car was unveiled in Paris, Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President, Brand, Business and Product Strategy at Volvo Cars said: "The new C30 aims for a group of young singles, or couples, who live active urban lifestyles. These people prioritize excitement in design and driving characteristics, and this car is designed to suit their taste and lifestyle."

Hakan Abrahamsson, Project Director for the C30 also commented: "The C30's efficient design has not prevented us from integrating much of what is best in the larger Volvo cars. Even the smallest Volvo should provide the right premium feel - in all respects. This applies not only to the appearance and the impression of quality, it also applies to how much fun the C30 is to drive and use on a daily basis. Our intention is that the Volvo C30 should attract people who love driving."

The 2008 C30 is the smallest model from Volvo Cars. The car measures 167 inches in length and 103.9 inches for the wheel base. The new C30 is 8.5 inches shorter than the Volvo S40 sport sedan. The solid body of the new C30 for the U.S. market comes with dynamic chassis and rigid suspension components. Outside, the 2008 Volvo C30 features angled headlamps, low and wide grille, distinct wheel housings in contrasting materials, sloping roof, extreme boat-shape side windows, and horseshoe shaped lighting pattern of the tail lamps, glass tailgate, and spoiler.

Volvo Car's Design Director Steve Mattin commented about the car's exterior design, "The C30 has plenty of muscles in a sporty and compact package. Anyone who recalls the Volvo SCC (Safety Concept Car) will recognize the exclusive and convenient glass tailgate. The distinctive tail lamps ensure that no one will ever be uncertain about which car they have in front of them."

The interior features found on the 2008 Volvo C30 complements the sleek exterior. The C30 offers a wide array of comfortable, flexible and functional interior features and other in-car amenities. The car comes with a bucket-style seats on the rear, rear seat backrests individually split and fold flat. For music lovers, Volvo offers several audio systems like the standard 160-watt stereo system, optional Premium Sound system, digital 5x130W ICE Power amplifier from Alpine, DolbyÂ(r) Pro Logic II Surround, and 10 loudspeakers from Dynaudio. All audio systems are capable of playing MP3 and WMA file formats. Other interior features include an upgraded Dynaudio system, Volvo USB/iPod Music interface, Volvo cargo liner, Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS), dual-stage airbags, safety belt tensioners in all four seating positions, force limiters on the front belts, collapsible pedals, SIPS (Side Impact Protection System), side impact airbags, IC (Inflatable curtains), and WHIPS (Volvo's Whiplash Protection System).

Under the hood of the new Volvo C30 comes a turbocharged inline five-cylinder (T5) engine that pumps out 218 horsepower and pulls out 236 pound feet amount of peak torque powering the front wheels through a six-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission. Other technical features include MacPherson front wheel suspension and Multilink rear axle.

Unfortunately, Volvo Cars did not yet announce the exact date of the arrival of this new C30 model in U.S. showrooms.