Parentage aside, the all new Volvo S60 signifies the Swedish car maker's fresh assault on the likes of the German auto brands. So naturally, the new Chinese Geely owners have due concern for the new model to live up to expectations. Considering this is the first model since the company came under new ownership.
The S60 sees itself being pitted squarely against the German executive sedans that includes the Audi A4, BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. If the Swede is to succeed, it'll have to up its game much more than ever before.
And so it does...
Exterior
On first impression, owners of Volvos past will have difficulty identifying themselves with the new S60. While the previous first generation still possessed subtle hints of its slab-sided forefathers, this second generation has been designed with the old design language thrown directly out the window and into the geysers that surround picturesque Sweden.
The S60 sees itself being pitted squarely against the German executive sedans that includes the Audi A4, BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. If the Swede is to succeed, it'll have to up its game much more than ever before.
And so it does...
Exterior
On first impression, owners of Volvos past will have difficulty identifying themselves with the new S60. While the previous first generation still possessed subtle hints of its slab-sided forefathers, this second generation has been designed with the old design language thrown directly out the window and into the geysers that surround picturesque Sweden.
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Penned by Steve Mattin whose previous claim to fame was for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and pre-facelifted SL-Class, it is obvious he started with a clean sheet to better demonstrate the brand's new desire for a more dynamic and engaging automobile.
Despite the sensual curves by Steve, the S60 also received some traditional inputs from their long time design head Peter Horbury.
Likewise with the engineering intention, the design of the new Volvo reflects this change. In the front, the headlights are stretched way back to create the impression that the car is moving radically fast even at a standstill. The characteristic Volvo chamfered shoulder-line has also been made less pronounced.
Likewise with the engineering intention, the design of the new Volvo reflects this change. In the front, the headlights are stretched way back to create the impression that the car is moving radically fast even at a standstill. The characteristic Volvo chamfered shoulder-line has also been made less pronounced.
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Unlike the previous S60, the roofline has now been exaggerated to blend seamlessly into the rear decklid to create a fluid aerodynamic shape. Like so many recent sedans, the design generally follows a 'four door coupe' concept. This is most evident when viewing the car from a rear three-quarter perspective. The abrupt rear deck together with the slightly forward-leaning stance gives the car a poised and dynamic appearance.
In the rear, the new LED taillights create a readily recognisable impression at night. Dominating the bottom half of the rear is the polished grey diffuser that hides nacelles for the twin chrome tipped exhausts. For shoes, the new Volvo gets the 18 inch Sleipner alloys that in my opinion look good enough to forego after market alloys.
Interior
The all-new Volvo gets an all new interior that has moved away from the Gibson-guitar inspired centre console. On the inside, the designers have taken an intimate 'cockpit' approach to the interior with the focal point on the driver (or pilot if you prefer).
Settling into the driver's chair, you immediately appreciate the comfortably supportive and ergonomic seats that have been a hallmark of Volvo sedans in recent years. Wrapped with the soft leather hide heightens the comfort level even more.
In the rear, the new LED taillights create a readily recognisable impression at night. Dominating the bottom half of the rear is the polished grey diffuser that hides nacelles for the twin chrome tipped exhausts. For shoes, the new Volvo gets the 18 inch Sleipner alloys that in my opinion look good enough to forego after market alloys.
Interior
The all-new Volvo gets an all new interior that has moved away from the Gibson-guitar inspired centre console. On the inside, the designers have taken an intimate 'cockpit' approach to the interior with the focal point on the driver (or pilot if you prefer).
Settling into the driver's chair, you immediately appreciate the comfortably supportive and ergonomic seats that have been a hallmark of Volvo sedans in recent years. Wrapped with the soft leather hide heightens the comfort level even more.
Facing the driver is the grippy and highly adjustable steering wheel and together with the electric seats affords the driver the perfect driving position for some serious lock to lock action.
Ahead on the instrument panel are the by now familiar chrono-inspired dials that have been carried over from previous Volvo models. These dials are especially pretty to behold at dusk when they take on a jewel-like quality.
Being a driver oriented cockpit, the centre console is tilted a few degrees towards the driver to allow him a better reach of all the necessary functions. On the T6 model, the centre console gets a 7 inch display screen that not only displays the current functions selected, it also displays cameras that are hooked up to the system.
Besides a by now pedestrian reverse camera with guidelines for parking, the system also includes a camera fitted on the grille with a fisheye (180 degree field of view) lens. This image is then split down the centre to create a stereoscopic image to allow you to peek round a corner or a blind intersection without having to inch out too much.
A system similar to the one used on the BMW 7-series but using only one camera instead of two on each side of the bumper as in the BMW system.
An interesting aspect of the centre console is the aircon vent that is uniquely ducted through the centre console rather than from the flanks. The new interior also sees an improved user interface system on the 7 inch screen to navigate and alter the car's different systems.
Ahead on the instrument panel are the by now familiar chrono-inspired dials that have been carried over from previous Volvo models. These dials are especially pretty to behold at dusk when they take on a jewel-like quality.
Being a driver oriented cockpit, the centre console is tilted a few degrees towards the driver to allow him a better reach of all the necessary functions. On the T6 model, the centre console gets a 7 inch display screen that not only displays the current functions selected, it also displays cameras that are hooked up to the system.
Besides a by now pedestrian reverse camera with guidelines for parking, the system also includes a camera fitted on the grille with a fisheye (180 degree field of view) lens. This image is then split down the centre to create a stereoscopic image to allow you to peek round a corner or a blind intersection without having to inch out too much.
A system similar to the one used on the BMW 7-series but using only one camera instead of two on each side of the bumper as in the BMW system.
An interesting aspect of the centre console is the aircon vent that is uniquely ducted through the centre console rather than from the flanks. The new interior also sees an improved user interface system on the 7 inch screen to navigate and alter the car's different systems.
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The list of gadgets goes on as the sedan also gets the Premium performance stereo that bangs out your favourite tunes through a 12-speaker setup with no less than five 130W amplifiers supporting it. The system more than exceeds an audiophile's sonic expectations by providing clean crisp audio covering the entire audio spectrum. The iPod AUX-in/USB input ensures that the exquisite system will never be quiet.
Compared to other cars in its class, the Volvo S60 is reasonably spacious for rear passengers with more than adequate legroom. The inclusion of rear passenger aircon ducts also gives greater comfort to the rear occupants.
While there are no figures on the luggage volume, the boot appears spacious enough to swallow two to three golf bags without much difficulty. Further requirements for cargo space can be assuaged with the spilt folding seats.
In summary, the new S60 interior is comfortable and built to a high quality with all the soft plastics giving a robust tactile touch. Stalks on the steering column feel solid while the leather trim on the doors and seats are soft to the touch but with a high degree of quality.
It seems the Swedes have created a convincing package both inside and outside of the S60 to cause some serious challenge for the German makes.
Compared to other cars in its class, the Volvo S60 is reasonably spacious for rear passengers with more than adequate legroom. The inclusion of rear passenger aircon ducts also gives greater comfort to the rear occupants.
While there are no figures on the luggage volume, the boot appears spacious enough to swallow two to three golf bags without much difficulty. Further requirements for cargo space can be assuaged with the spilt folding seats.
In summary, the new S60 interior is comfortable and built to a high quality with all the soft plastics giving a robust tactile touch. Stalks on the steering column feel solid while the leather trim on the doors and seats are soft to the touch but with a high degree of quality.
It seems the Swedes have created a convincing package both inside and outside of the S60 to cause some serious challenge for the German makes.
The Drive
Despite the elegant good looks on the outside, the S60 packs quite a bit of muscle underneath the svelte suit. Muscle that's provided by the 3.0-litre twin-scroll straight six coupled to the six-speed Geartronic tranny. Producing a little over 300bhp at 5400rpm with 440Nm of Torque, this muscular engine propels the 1.75 ton sedan to 100kmh in 6.5 seconds.
Needless to say, acceleration in the Volvo is brisk and robust with traction provided by the All Wheel Drive system. The needle sweeps past license losing speeds in a jiffy while the rough and meaty retort from the twin chrome exhausts begs you to maintain the pedal flat to the floor.
Volvo claims this to be the most dynamically gifted model they've ever produced owing to the stiffer front subframe, firmer bushings and stronger damping rods. The new S60 shares the same Y20 platform as the XC60 and thus inherited much of the pseudo SUV's dynamic prowess.
There is also an option for the Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept (Four-C). A system similar to the Dynamic Chassis Control system offered on Volkswagen models. The system is able to vary the damping in the Monroe-Ohlins shocks according to the mode (Comfort, Sport and Advanced) selected. The car in our review though comes with the standard 'Dynamic' chassis.
Despite the elegant good looks on the outside, the S60 packs quite a bit of muscle underneath the svelte suit. Muscle that's provided by the 3.0-litre twin-scroll straight six coupled to the six-speed Geartronic tranny. Producing a little over 300bhp at 5400rpm with 440Nm of Torque, this muscular engine propels the 1.75 ton sedan to 100kmh in 6.5 seconds.
Needless to say, acceleration in the Volvo is brisk and robust with traction provided by the All Wheel Drive system. The needle sweeps past license losing speeds in a jiffy while the rough and meaty retort from the twin chrome exhausts begs you to maintain the pedal flat to the floor.
Volvo claims this to be the most dynamically gifted model they've ever produced owing to the stiffer front subframe, firmer bushings and stronger damping rods. The new S60 shares the same Y20 platform as the XC60 and thus inherited much of the pseudo SUV's dynamic prowess.
There is also an option for the Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept (Four-C). A system similar to the Dynamic Chassis Control system offered on Volkswagen models. The system is able to vary the damping in the Monroe-Ohlins shocks according to the mode (Comfort, Sport and Advanced) selected. The car in our review though comes with the standard 'Dynamic' chassis.
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During the drive around our favourite test route, the S60 demonstrated improved steering feedback compared to previous models. Namely the numbness reported in the previous S60R. In this S60 however, the steering felt direct and communicative. Understeer in the tighter bends were evident though as it should with the AWD system.
In cruise mode, the S60 managed to be comfortable without being too slushy while cabin noise was kept at a minimum.
Besides being dynamically gifted, the car is also endowed with some of the most advanced safety systems around. Namely the City Safety system which basically helps you avoid an unwanted bump into a stranger's rear-end (not a great way to meet people). Most useful in bumper to bumper traffic.
The system works by using a small RADAR (RAdio Detecting And Ranging) transmitter in the front to gauge the distance between your bumper to the car in front. If it senses that there an imminent collision, it will apply the brakes automatically.
During our test, we inadvertently set off the City Safety system in bumper to bumper traffic. The good news is that it works but it gives you a nasty shock when the full brakes are applied. Even though there's a row of red lights in front of the driver that varies in brightness to warn of an imminent collision.
In cruise mode, the S60 managed to be comfortable without being too slushy while cabin noise was kept at a minimum.
Besides being dynamically gifted, the car is also endowed with some of the most advanced safety systems around. Namely the City Safety system which basically helps you avoid an unwanted bump into a stranger's rear-end (not a great way to meet people). Most useful in bumper to bumper traffic.
The system works by using a small RADAR (RAdio Detecting And Ranging) transmitter in the front to gauge the distance between your bumper to the car in front. If it senses that there an imminent collision, it will apply the brakes automatically.
During our test, we inadvertently set off the City Safety system in bumper to bumper traffic. The good news is that it works but it gives you a nasty shock when the full brakes are applied. Even though there's a row of red lights in front of the driver that varies in brightness to warn of an imminent collision.
Other safety systems include the Adaptive Cruise Control and the Pedestrian Detection that works on similar principles using the RADAR system to detect any imminent danger or keeping a safe distance from the car in front while in cruise mode.
Conclusion
Who would've thought there would come a day when we could call a sedan from Volvo sexy? But that's what the S60 is. Not only does it thrill visually, the new dynamically capable chassis means the amour continues even after you get behind the wheel.
While the T6 is a hoot to blast down quiet country lanes and expressways, it does get quite thirsty when driven in anger. The official figures claim 9.8km/L but in the real world the figure stands closer to 7-8km/L.
Considering that there's no news from Volvo about a possible S60R replacement, this might be the most powerful S60 we can expect to get.
So if you're looking for a sports sedan that'll assuage your need for the occasional burst of motoring insanity while keeping your loved ones in the bosom of safety, the S60 T6 would seem the most prudent candidate from our Swedish-Chinese friends.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Conclusion
Who would've thought there would come a day when we could call a sedan from Volvo sexy? But that's what the S60 is. Not only does it thrill visually, the new dynamically capable chassis means the amour continues even after you get behind the wheel.
While the T6 is a hoot to blast down quiet country lanes and expressways, it does get quite thirsty when driven in anger. The official figures claim 9.8km/L but in the real world the figure stands closer to 7-8km/L.
Considering that there's no news from Volvo about a possible S60R replacement, this might be the most powerful S60 we can expect to get.
So if you're looking for a sports sedan that'll assuage your need for the occasional burst of motoring insanity while keeping your loved ones in the bosom of safety, the S60 T6 would seem the most prudent candidate from our Swedish-Chinese friends.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
