RS Kicker - This C30 is hot enough to inflict first-degree burns on a Focus RS

摘要

Surely Volvo is over-compensating. After several years of playing down its performance credentials and even abolishing its 'R' sub-brand, the newly divorced Swedish car maker is letting us drive a concept that seems designed to tick every box on the hot hatch checklist. Not that Volvo officially endorses this uber-fied version of the C30, which made its debut at the recent Gothenburg motor show. It has been created by Polestar, a Swedish motorsport engineering firm which is also responsible for the C30 racer that's currently leading the Swedish Touring Car Championship - and which has clear ambitions to become Volvo's answer to Renaultsport or BMWs M division.