VOLVO expects more than half of its new C70 coupe convertibles to be bought by fleets when they go on sale in January.

The firm believes the extra security offered by the car’s folding metal hard top will convince more companies to add convertible cars to their choice lists.

Volvo’s corporate sales manager Ian Rendle said: ‘We’ve already had positive feedback from some of our fleet customers, but a huge amount of interest has come from the small business sector.’

The C70 will be available with two petrol engines at launch – a 2.4-litre five-cylinder unit with 170bhp and the turbocharged T5 with 220bhp. A D5 diesel with 185bhp will follow later.

  • VOLVO’S new 180bhp D5 turbodiesel will be available in the V50 estate from next June. It comes with a five-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox, with a manual version set to follow later. Prices will be announced closer to the car’s launch.