The cabin finish includes a two-tone or alternatively all-black, leather interior, R-Design centre stack and panel inserts, a sport leather steering wheel, gear lever knob trimmed in leather and aluminum and blue speedometer and rev counter gauges.

However, the biggest changes in the new C30 R-Design, which makes its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, are hidden beneath the skin. In particular, the steering is more precise thanks to the installation of stiffer bushings while the lower steering ratio promises to offer faster response to steering wheel input.

Volvo's engineers also tampered around with the suspension that now features much stiffer springs, dampers and roll stabilizers to improve handling. Furthermore, the ride height has been lowered by 10 mm.

"A customer who test-drives the new C30 R-Design will immediately feel the difference," claims Stefan Sällqvist, manager Vehicle Dynamics at Volvo Cars. "Even before the car has covered fifty meters, the driver will be aware of the crisp steering and the distinct chassis response."