YEARS ago, a Volvo car would be remembered for a strong build, safety, a big body and unflattering lines. Nowadays, fashion and taste have replaced the two latter elements as designers wrap their tried and tested engineering in highly fashioned metal.

The V and S range of Volvo models are now at the forefront of good taste and style. The days of the ageing doctor and lawyer being the standard bearers of the brand are over. Now Volvo has some of the most elegant cars in the premium end of the market - and they are catching the eye of the design-conscious set.

The latest arrival, the C30, is actually cute, a word I am sure has rarely been used to describe a Volvo. This is a good-looking sports coupé with four individual seats and boot access via a glass tailgate.

Volvo hopes to get well-heeled singles, or couples who want something different, behind the wheel. Drivers, they say, will be in their 30s or 40s and will be anxious to show they are the type to break away from the boring similarity of today's computergenerated saloon cars.

Yes, there are people who want to be noticed, who yearn for motoring excitement and don't mind the cost. For the most part there will only be two people in the car and in many cases it will be the second Volvo in the driveway, the marketing people at Volvo believe.

The C30 is the smallest and most expensive car in the Volvo range. The interior is functional and smart and the two rear seats are comfortable. Getting in and out, however, is not so comfortable and the boot is quite small.

The centre console, dash and controls are sensibly laid out and within easy reach. The computer controls for checking speed, fuel consumption, etc are positioned so you do not have to take your hand from the steering wheel.

Outside, the C30 has a definite Volvo nose with striking headlights and a low wide grille.

Viewed from the side, large wheel housings and a sloping roof give a fast silhouette. The glass tailgate fits snugly under a prominent roof spoiler.

There is a choice of four petrol and three common-rail diesel engines. The test car, the top-ofthe-range 2.4-litre diesel with luxury trim and automatic Geartronic transmission, costs Euro45,320. The diesel comes with a particle filter to cut down on the CO2 emissions.

A five-cylinder engine puts out 180bhp at 4,000rpm and delivers 350Nm of torque at 1,7503,250rpm, which means a sporty drive with sharp take-off and lots of power in store for overtaking.

This set-up makes for very little gear changing in normal driving or until the kick-down is brought into play. The sprint to 100km takes less than nine seconds and the top speed is 220 km/h (132mph), which will never be needed. The manufacturers calculate CO2 emissions are 182g/km.

There is also a 2-litre diesel putting out 136bhp and a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel with 109bhp output.

Even with the top level of specification, these models make more sense pricewise at Euro38,320 and Euro35,320. The 2-litre is the best choice for Irish driving conditions.

Petrol fans have a 1.6-, 1.8-, 2litre and T5 2.5-litre to choose from, with prices running from Euro31,870 to Euro45,120 for the models with top specification.

The four trim levels are S, SE, SE Sport and SE LUX. The entry-level petrol model, where prices start at Euro26,500, has good equipment - including climate control, 16in alloy wheels and dynamic, stability and traction control. The SE version also has climate control, remote audio controls, foglights and 17in alloys.

The LUX adds folding mirrors, a headlamp-cleaning system and leather upholstery.

The C30 is a good performer over rough country roads where the suspension easily irons out the bumps. It has a surprisingly quiet cabin, even at high revs, and tyre noise has been almost eliminated.

Volvo has produced a car that will sell over 65,000 units in Europe and should have several hundred fans here.

VITAL STATISTICS Volvo C30 5D SE Lux 2.4l diesel Geartronic 4,252 mm 1,782 mm 1,447 mm 2,640 mm 0 - 100km/8.4 secs 220 km 5-speed Geratronic 9.4l/100km Euro45,320