The Scandinavian designers don't really care about what it looks like do they – after all, it's dark all the time over there, right?

Well, no actually, that's not right. Volvo is boldly going where no Volvo has gone before – the performance hatch sector.

I say performance hatch, the new C30 is more of a decathlete to be honest with engines ranging from the 100PS 1.6D, which will gladly deliver you 57mpg, to the rather impressive looking petrol T5 – a 140mph, turbo-charged 220bhp riot of a car.

Here we take the 1.6D. The very first thing that struck me was its understated exterior which is very appealing indeed.

Its headlights rimmed in black and chromed grille adorn the gently curved front end which, dare I say it, is bordering on loveable - a Volvo, loveable - whatever next?

Once inside you get the feeling that more than a little effort has gone into the cabin. The centre-console (the bit where your stereo goes) actually 'floats' so you can pop your CDs behind it – a neat touch indeed.

Of course, with a claimed mpg of 57mpg, the Volvo is as soft on your wallet as you can hope for.

I tootled around in it for a week and only managed to drain half of its tank – and I was driving reasonably hard at that – well, as hard as the little 1.6D would allow me to drive.

The 0–60mph dash comes up in a leisurely 11 seconds thanks in the main to a 150Nm blob of torque.

But the 100 horses pulling this compact charriot are never going to break any landspeed records, but then, if that's what you want you'll plump for the T5 or the 180bhp D5 diesel. Having said that, it will get you to 118mph.

The one thing you do get across the range - in order to accommodate the five-cylinder turbo-charged variant – is a taught and competent chassis.

The handling of the C30 is as sure as a big top tightrope walker.
As I first got to grips with the car I was wooed by its quiet and squeak-free demeanor.

The fully independent suspension soaks up all the lumps and bumps with the kind of ease you would expect of a Volvo, but, give it the beans and point it at an inside apex and it won't disappoint.

Because of this I found I was beginning to have fun – and in a Volvo – another pleasant surprise.

The engineers have made the C30 the stiffest and sportiest ride in the range – the MacPherson suspension struts are more akin to rallying than Volvo-ing.

As a result it's a bit of a hoot. Of course the rather modest 100PS offered up by the entry-level diesel is nowhere near enough to wring out the potential in the chassis which benefits from the monocoque steel body.

I know that even as they read this review the parochial German-buying business execs will be gurning with their usual snooty po-faced dissent and shaking their heads.

But I'm not joking when I say this car is better than than the equivalent BMW 1 Series. Better value for money, better handling, better equipped. Just better.

But you know what – I'll bet Lewis Hamilton's next pay rise that Volvo doesn't shift as many off its forecourts.