Volvo S60 Review

Think Volvo and you think that utilitarian vehicles that shuttle you from purpose A to purpose B safely, reliably and indefinitely.

For all their virtues — pathological obsession with safety involves mind, as will anvil-like sturdiness – Volvos aren’t exciting. They’re cars solely soccer moms, Vermonters and tweed-jacketed professors will love.

It’s a stereotype, of course. One that overlooks the company’s hot rod “R” models, among alternative things. however it's sufficiently pervasive that the Swedes have had enough. They’re billing the all-new S60 as “the naughty Volvo,” a technological marvel equally adept at hauling youngsters and hauling ass.

And Volvo definitely isn’t simply blowing hot air. The S60 T6 we tend to drove has the foremost powerful engine Volvo’s ever made, a three00-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged six with a boatload of torque. Stomp it and you’ll hit sixty mph in five.8 seconds. Triple digits follow quickly. The engine may be a joy; it revs smoothly, accelerates briskly and sounds sporty.

The six-speed slushbox is equally nice. You can’t get a correct manual, dammit, however running through the gears in “sport” mode may be a shut approximation. Power hits the bottom through all four wheels; torque vectoring and a traction management system with body-lean-angle sensors facilitate keep all however the foremost inept drivers out of hassle.

The standard “dynamic” suspension is taut enough to form a winding road entertaining however supple enough for commuting hell. You don’t forget that this can be a three,900 pound automobile when you’re pushing it exhausting, however the S60 is remarkably agile. There’s a softer “touring” setup if you don’t recognize a chicane from a Chiclet, and $750 buys the “FOUR-C” adjustable suspension. Steering response is adjustable — lightweight, traditional and serious — however superfluous. “Normal” is right.

Volvo S60

In keeping with the car’s sportiness, the S60’s styling is muscular, with a coupe-like silhouette. It’s a little larger in each dimension than its predecessor, however the short overhangs, 18-inch wheels and taut lines hide the added length and girth. this can be a Volvo, therefore after all it’s full of enough safety options to form even Ralph Nader smile — provided you spring for the $2,100 “technology package.” Most notable is that the world’s 1st application of what Volvo calls “pedestrian detection with full auto brake.” Cameras and radar at each ends tell you when you’re getting ready to run somebody down. Ignore the warning and therefore the automobile stops itself. Volvo says it'll avoid collisions at up to twenty two mph, however we tend to couldn’t notice anyone willing to assist us prove that.
Other electronic nannies tell you when some jerk is riding your bumper — or when you’re the jerk riding someone’s bumper. The S60 additionally tells you when you’ve wandered out of your lane, and when someone’s wandered into your blind spot. however our favourite feature was “adaptive cruise management with queue assist.” Beyond adjusting your speed to account for changing traffic conditions — a standard feature — Volvo’s system basically drives the automobile for you in stop-and-go traffic. The automobile creeps forward when the guy earlier than you will, then stops. It’s good.

There’s still additional tech within. The $2,700 multimedia package includes navi with real-time traffic data, a rear-view camera and a 650-watt surround sound audio that isn’t as loud as you’d expect. pay another $1,600 and therefore the youngsters will watch DVDs (or simply obtain them iPads for much less). the inside is tastefully and comfortably appointed with a chic look and feel.

All in all, the S60 offers the solid engineering, durable construction and leading-edge safety synonymous with Volvo and a healthy dose of sportiness in a very automobile as naughty because it is sweet.