SIT down, pour yourself a stiff drink and breathe deeply, because this news may shock: Volvo has discovered youth.

For years Volvo has been the purveyor of worthy wheels for families, farmers and their furry friends that hunker down among the Barbours and muddy green wellies in the back of estates, dozing their way home after a thoroughly bucolic day.

But Volvo’s very proper, transport for the establishment aura is going to take a bashing. The all-new Volvo C30 sport coupé is aimed not at average, middle-class, married couples with 1.8 children, but high-income, fashionable, extrovert singles, or partners living together, in an urban area, with no children, aged 25 to 35 and who do not own even a single pair of green wellies, let alone a labrador.

In fact, it would be necessary to have a power-assisted dog or at least a set of Zebedee springs to make the huge leap into the back of the C30 when its big glass tailgate is lifted.

So, while talk in a Volvo might once have been of cubbing, now it is more likely to be of clubbing. And, shock upon shock, Volvo is even using the word “cool” to describe the C30 and those who drive it. There could be a lot of them because so far it has received 24,000 inquiries about the car in the UK, where only 7,000 C30s will be available next year.

The C30 really is compact, sporty and — if you go for the top turbo petrol or diesel models — rapid and has all the safety elements of its larger and far more proper siblings. Door mirrors with blind-spot warning are also available.

The six-speed, 2.5-litre 220 PS turbo T5 will dash to 60mph in 6.2sec and reach almost 150mph, while the turbodiesel D5, even with (rather tardy shifting) five-speed automatic gearbox makes 60mph in 7.8sec and is good for 140mph. All that and a combined fuel consumption of 41mpg.

Based closely on Ford Focus mechanical elements (Volvo is part of the Ford empire), the C30’s handling is outstandingly good, the ride surprisingly supple and the steering crisp. It positively revels in being driven hard on demanding roads and with optional lowered sports suspension is as clingy as a Klingon. In fact, the whole thing adds up to the sport coupé it is supposed to be, although ironically the diesel sounds a good deal better than the overly quietened T5.

The C30 looks the part, too. Rare for any car, it is more distinctive at the back than the front, its tailgate a design throwback to the 1800ES of 1971. Its side view is elegant, with a gentle taper towards the rear. The interior is strictly for four, with acceptable rear legroom and the individual, folding rear seats cosily placed close together to provide improved forward vision.

Luggage space is adequate. Decor is attractive, but the dashboard looks too heavy and dull. A premium Alpine sound system with ten Dynaudio speakers is an option. A glass sunroof is also optional and well worth specifying, even at an extra £700. A full-length, opening panoramic roof would be even better.

Although Volvo gave me upmarket T5 (from £21,495) and D5 (from £22,295) versions to play with at the car’s launch, big sellers will probably be the 1.6-litre petrol (100PS) and diesel (109PS) models (from £14,750 and £16,795 respectively) and the very promising 136PS 2.0-litre turbodiesel, which can get to 60mph in 8.8sec and average 49.6mpg (from £17,795).

Iain Howat, the Volvo product manager, said: “This is a car for couples before they make the big commitment to house and family, but it’s also for empty nesters in their 50s and 60s who are downsizing. We expect a far higher percentage of women owners than Volvo has seen before. Around 75 per cent of C30 buyers will have never owned a Volvo previously but may now drive an Audi A3 or BMW 1-Series.”

The C30 will also rival the MINI, VW Beetle and Alfa 147.

Colour choice includes a bright “cosmic white”, which will match the facial pallor of some older Volvo retirees as they first glimpse this sporty whippersnapper. But that will be followed by a tinge of envious green as realisation dawns; then the swinging sixties could well join the Volvo youth set.

SPECIFICATION

Car: Volvo C30.

Engines: Choice of eight. Petrol from 1.6-litre 100PS to five-cylinder turbo 2.5-litre 220PS. Diesel 1.6-litre 109PS to 2.4-litre 180PS five cylinder diesel.

Performance: T5 220PS petrol (manual): Top speed, 149mph; 0-60mph 6.2sec; mpg 32.5 combined; C02, 208 g/km. D5 180PS diesel (Geartronic): Top speed, 140mph; 0-60mph 7.8sec; mpg 40.9 combined; C02 182 g/km

Prices: From £14,750 (1.6S) to £23,795 (D5 Geartronic SE Sport/SE Lux).

On sale: Now — first deliveries early January.

THE RIVALS

Audi A3. Pluses: Quality, performance, handling. Minuses: Unexciting styling.

BMW 1-Series: Pluses: BMW image, quality, handling. Minuses: Looks, ride quality, packaging.