[raitchison]

Not 100% sure this is the the right forum for this, I'm just posting to show the comparison to the 3.

Yesterday at the autocross they had a Volvo representative with a new C1 S40. Of course I got a bunch of pics.

Notice the cup holders

The brakes look identical.

I Like our cluster a lot better

Key placement is different, notice the 6 speed.

Volvo turbo I-5 is a tight squeeze in the engine bay

Does the strut tower look familiar?

I guess Volvo also thinks the battery needs cooling, they handled it differently though.

 

[LeeLee]

Holy ugly guages batman!!!

Here is a $30K automobile... with a two-dollar gauge cluster.

 

[Levitron]

Let's hope it looks a bit different when it lights up

IMHO, I think the new S40 looks not bad.

 

[raitchison]

The seats were definitely nicer, at least in the minute I sat in them.

 

[Titanium Dragon]

Hmm...I wonder how that same engine bay would look with a Mazda 2.3 turbo charged to 240hp would look like

But yeah, the Volvo's interior hasn't got anything over our beloved Mazda 3. For a car that has a reputation for safety, it shouldn't mean that they skimp on the quality of the interior bits.

 

[NGNStrt]

I really like the exterior styling and the wheels... ohh and the 6 spd is a NICE addition too

 

[mnemonicj]

Am I mistaken or does the emblem on the steering wheel look like a male symbol? (Like Austin Powers had)

 

[chickmod]

wow, the outside does look the same. prolly should be in the other cars section or other pics and videos.

 

[cydisc]

That's the Volvo logo. The circle and arrow is the alchemist's symbol for iron. Volvo is latin "to roll". So this loosely translates to "rolling strength".

Groovy, baby!

 

[DJ Spencer]

Holy crap - it is an Austin Powers Mobile!

Actually, while the gauges are cheap - notice one slight difference - that $2 gauge goes all the way to 260... Of course, I have no idea what that really means, I only know that 100 = 60.... So I guess that's about 155 MPH?

It appears to have the same headlight luster, too.

 

[mz6zoomzoom]

I definitely like the steering wheel controls on the 6 better... look better.

 

[mnemonicj]

That's the Volvo logo. The circle and arrow is the alchemist's symbol for iron. Volvo is latin "to roll". So this loosely translates to "rolling strength".

Groovy, baby!

I had never seen that before because I have always seen the symbol surrounded by a square and the arrow just kind of blends in.

 

[dinu01]

Already a thread http://mazda3forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=85

Thanks for the pics. I'll close the other one then.

 

[vartex]

i dont care, but this one is damn ugly and i see 0 resemblance to the 3. (this also goes for the focus)...its too plain inside and for the money, i think im getting nothing in return. however, i have never been a fan of volvo, so maybe thats why. but i do love that key they have. an idea for the 05 mz 3!!!

 

[zaimon]

so nice... 6sp with AWD, it would be perfect with the Mazda3's interior.

 

[dinu01]

i dont care, but this one is damn ugly and i see 0 resemblance to the 3.

Look at how the S40 gets narrower as you move from the belt line higher - same as the 3, especially the HB.

Do I need to go fetch pics for you? :lol:

 

[vartex]

no thanks. i see what you are saying. the sides now look similar as well as the lights. but i still think its ugly.

 

[M3-GT]

This interior is dull but I like the exterior and love the rims!

 

[dugrant153]

Holy ugly guages batman!!!

Here is a $30K automobile... with a two-dollar gauge cluster.

Two fo one dollah deal, lah!!

 

[DJ Spencer]

Actually, I was starting to like Volvo, especially the one that Val Kilmer drove in The Saint (I think it was the s90), but this one bares some look to the 3, but not enough to warrent it's purchase.