|
Los Angeles- Semi-exotic coupes are a glut on the market now, but Volvo deserves credit for building one of the first in 1978. Of course, almost no one noticed at the time, because the Bertone-designed 262C- with its vinyl-covered chopped top- looked decidedly odd. Fortunately, Volvo has come a long way since then. These days its 780 coupe, also designed by Bertone, passes inspection by the Design Police. Even so only a few thousand coupes have been sold since the car first sidled into this country late in 1987. Now, however Volvo makes a 175 bhp version of its turbocharged 2.3-liter, four-cylinder powerplant available as an option (in place of the satisfactory but mundance 2.8- liter V-6) and it looks as if the coupe is stirring up some excitement at last. For detail- obsessed readers, the way to differentiate the turbocharged car from the normally aspirated V-6 is to look at its wheels. The turbo has, "Multi X" laced alloy rims. The 780 coupe originally introduced much of the hardware that has found its way recently into Volvo sedans, including Bosch ABS, a driver's- side air bag, and-finally-a fully independent rear suspension. The latter- comprising lower trailing arms, upper wishbones, a single coil spring per side, and self-leveling dampers-is particularly competent and lends the coupe the poise expected of cars in this price range. Of course, now that Volvo's sedans have been similarly upgraded, the coupe's most distinctive asset is its Bertone- |
 |
built body, which streamlines the standard Volvo look, giving it surprisingly graceful two-door proportions. It is as if all the wrinkles had been pressed out of the standard stodgy shape. The coupe's interior also has a familial Volvo look, but it, too, has been transformed. Part of the magic, of course, is the result, of a barrelful of convenience features, as well as supple leather-covered seats and richly toned accents of burled elm. Volvo tried hard to make the interior of its 7-series cars indistictive, and the coupe makes that design live up to its promise at last. Everything looks right and feels good. In fact, looking right and feeling good is what this car is all about. It is balanced and capable at all times, silent on the straight, composed in the |
curves. The turbo four-cylinder comes on the boil quickly and does its business with more horsepower, thanks to boost trickery that is new for this year. At 3439 pounds, the 780 coupe is by no means light on its feet, yet it still manages to feel alert and alive when you drive quickly. The 780 does almost everything well and is at once sporting and sophisticated. Among competitors like the Buick Reatta, Chrysler's TC by Maserati, and even the Cadillac Allanté, the Volvo's virtue is its stereotypical good sence, which gives it solid credentials as an automobile and as an exhibition of style. This is style without superficiality. As a result, the Volvo 780 coupe may actually provide deeper satisfaction than any of its competitors. |
|