Volvo S60

Volvo S60 T6 review

The Volvo S60 is a compact executive car produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo since 2000. Two generations of the sedan have been produced to date. The first generation had a similar designed estate version, the V70, whereas the V60 is the estate version of the second generation.

First generation (2000–2009)

The S60 was built on Volvo’s P2 platform, which was shared with other Volvo models like the S80, V70, XC70 and finally the XC90.

The Volvo S60 was released in 2000 (2001 model year) being the company's new generation sports sedan. The S60 is aimed to mainly compete with the BMW 3-Series (E46) and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203). Unlike its rivals, the Volvo S60 continued production for 9 years with multiple facelifts. The S60 was refreshed in 2005. The exterior was updated with body-colored side moldings and bumpers with chrome linings, as well as new headlamps replacing the original with black housing. The interior received some updates as well, with new seats, trim , and an updated center console. The S60 went through a final facelift in 2008 with full body-colored bumper and door inserts and larger emblem in the front and larger spaced out "V-O-L-V-O" letters in the rear. The interior featured a new pattern upholstery which differs from its original pattern. The S60 came standard with Volvo's own radio unit, the HU-650 and an optional extra HU-850 unit. The HU-850 unit features a 225 or 335-watt power output (depending on optional external amplifier) with 3 presets: 2CH, 3CH and Dolby Digital Pro Logic II Surround Sound. The Four-C chassis from the S60 R became an option on some S60s. In 2005 the T5 engine was reengineered from 2.3 to 2.4 litres and received an increase of 10 bhp (7 kW; 10 PS), and a modified turbo in the D5 model also increased the D5 bhp from 163 bhp to 183 bhp.

S6First introduced in 2004, Volvo's S60 R used a Haldex all-wheel-drive system mated to a 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp) / 400 N·m (300 lbf·ft) inline-5. The 2004–2005 models came with a 6-speed manual transmission, or an available 5-speed automatic which allowed only 258 lb·ft (350 N·m) torque in 1st and 2nd gears. The 2006–2007 models came with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission (which was no longer torque-restricted).

Other aspects which set the R apart from standard S60s were the large Brembo front and rear four-piston brakes, 18-inch 5-spoke "Pegasus" wheels (available as an upgrade to the standard 17-inch wheels of the same design), blue faced "R" gauges, standard HID headlights , as well as the Four-C suspension system.

Semi-active suspension with Four-C (a short name for "Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept") allows the user to select from three modes: Comfort, Sport, and Advanced. "Comfort" attempts to soften the car over bumps, while "Advanced" firms the suspension considerably and gives more aggressive throttle response - a setting Volvo implies is for use on the race track. This is accomplished through a drive by wire throttle, allowing the same pedal travel to result in different performance when the appropriate mode is selected, electronically controlled shock absorbers that can adjust themselves 500 times a second, and a complex series of sensors throughout the body of the vehicle. Volvo collaborated with high-tech system developer Ohlins Racing AB and shock absorber manufacturer Monroe for the self-adjusting shock absorbers.

Volvo S60 R 2004

The Rs had three interior color options: Nordkap (metallic dark blue), Gobi (light tan metallic) and a R-only leather option; Atacama, available for an additional charge. It was an unpainted, orangey-coloured natural leather with a baseball glove thickness and feel.

The small trunk lid spoiler that was standard on the S60 R created a 20% increased downforce at the rear wheels at high speeds compared to the standard S60s. The S60 Rs have a 0.29 Drag coefficient, compared to the standard S60's 0.28, due to the larger lower front bumper spoiler to support the secondary intercooler.

Another Volvo factory option for only the S60 R was a body kit which included front bumper splitters, side skirts and a rear valance, color matched to the body. The body kit was only available with certain body colors and in certain markets.

Engines

• 2.4: 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp), 220 N·m (160 lb·ft), petrol
• 2.4: 125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp), 230 N·m (170 lb·ft), petrol
• 2.0T: 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp), petrol, turbo
• 2.0T: 132 kW (179 PS; 177 hp), 240 N·m (180 lb·ft), petrol, turbo
• 2.4T: 147 kW (200 PS; 197 hp), 285 N·m (210 lb·ft), petrol, turbo (2001–2003)
• 2.5T: 155 kW (211 PS; 208 hp), 320 N·m (240 lb·ft), petrol, turbo (2004–2009)
• T5 2.3: 184 kW (250 PS; 247 hp), 330 N·m (240 lb·ft), petrol, turbo (2001–2004)
• T5 2.4: 191 kW (260 PS; 256 hp), 350 N·m (260 lb·ft), petrol, turbo (2005–2009)
• R 6-speed man: 224 kW (305 PS; 300 hp), 400 N·m (300 lb·ft), petrol, turbo (2004–2007)
• R 5-speed aut: 224 kW (305 PS; 300 hp), 350 N·m (260 lb·ft), petrol, turbo (2004–2005)
• R 6-speed aut: 224 kW (305 PS; 300 hp), 400 N·m (300 lb·ft), petrol, turbo (2006–2007)
• D (2006–2009): 93 kW (126 PS; 125 hp), 300 N·m (220 lb·ft), diesel, turbo
• 2.4D (2001–2005): 96 kW (131 PS; 129 hp), 280 N·m (210 lb·ft), diesel, turbo
• 2.4D (2006–2009): 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp), 340 N·m (250 lb·ft), diesel, turbo
• D5 (2001–2005): 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp), 340 N·m (250 lb·ft), diesel, turbo
• D5 (2006–2009): 136 kW (185 PS; 182 hp), 400 N·m (300 lb·ft), diesel, turbo
• 2.4 Bi-Fuel CNG: 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp), 192 N·m (142 lb·ft), CNG/petrol
• 2.4 Bi-Fuel LPG: 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp), 192 N·m (142 lb·ft), LPG/petrol

Second generation (2010–present)

The Volvo S60 Concept features a four-cylinder 1.6 L petrol engine using highly efficient Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDi) developed by Ford (a mechanical clone of the new Ford EcoBoost 1.6L engine).The concept car was exhibited in several automobile shows in 2009.

Production

The second generation S60 began production in Ghent, Belgium on May 17, 2010, with an expected annual production of 90,000 vehicles. Official photos were released in November 2009, and the car was publicly unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. It debuted as a 2011 model in North America.

The engine range of the S60 and V60 comprises four petrol engines and three diesels. The engines available are the T3, T4, T5 and T6 petrol engines and D3, D5 and 1.6D DRIVe diesel engines, the latter of which has Stop Start Technology to increase the efficiency of the engine. The 2.4-litre D5 plug-in hybrid version, fitted with a five-cylinder diesel engine and a 50 kW electric motor, is schedule for sale in Europe by November 2012.

The Volvo S60 and V60 come with Volvo's City Safety system as standard, which is the same system fitted to its sister the XC60. This system stops the car in the event of impending collision in 'City Traffic' below 19 mph (31 km/h). A new safety feature named "Pedestrian Detection", available on both the V60 and S60, detects people in front of the car and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not react in time.

This new sedan will show off Volvo's completely new design language already seen in the Volvo XC60 concept. It will ride on the same platform as the XC60. This new design is thought to target younger demographics. Even so, Volvo hopes to keep its high-income customer appeal; from the first generation, a Volvo S60 buyer has had a higher household income than a BMW 3 Series customer.

New features include the new large Volvo iron symbol, parallel to the grille day running lamps, and larger spaced letters in the brand name on rear. A new safety feature, Pedestrian Detection, will be added to automatically apply brakes if a pedestrian is detected in front of the car and the driver does not react in time.

2014 model year update

Changes include all-new exterior panels from the A-pillars forward including a new hood, front fenders and fascia; a wider grille with a larger Ironmark is flanked by new headlights while a larger, wider lower front intake gains bright accents and horizontally mounted LEDdaytime running lights; new integrated exhaust pipes at rear, a new Adaptive Digital TFT Display instrument cluster for select models (R-Design versions include unique blue instrument dials), new paddle shifters on T6 AWD and R-Design models (optional on T5), Advanced Quick Shift (AQS) option on all T6 engines and activated when the transmission is set to sport mode or when using paddle shifters, IntelliSafe withPedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection with full auto brake and Cross Traffic Alert became part of the Technology Package, a new radar-based Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) to monitor and alert the driver to rapidly approaching vehicles behind the car while still informing the driver about vehicles in the blind spots on both sides of the car, Cross Traffic Alert with radar sensors at the rear end of the car to alert the driver to crossing traffic from the sides when reversing out of a parking space.

North America models went on sale as 2015 model year vehicles. Early models include S60 T5 (base, Premier, Premier Plus, Platinum), T6 (AWD, Premier Plus, Platinum, R-Design AWD, RD Platinum).

S60L PHEV

The Volvo S60L PPHEV (Petrol Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) concept car was unveiled at the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.^[23] Volvo Cars announced that the S60L PPHEV will be manufactured at the Chengdu plant and is scheduled scheduled to be launched in China in the first half of 2015.

The S60L PPHEV shares the same electric-drive technology as the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, but instead of the diesel engine of the V60, the S60L PPHEV has a 2-liter, four-cylinder gasoline turbocharged engine from Volvo Cars’ new Drive-E engine family. The 50 kW (67 hp) electric motor is powered by a 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers an all-electric range of up to 50 km (31 mi). The petrol-powered engine produces 177 kW (237 hp) and 350 N·m (258 lb-ft) of torque. The driver can select via three buttons among three driving modes: Pure, Hybrid or Power. In the default hybrid mode, the CO₂ emissions are about 50 g/km, corresponding to a fuel consumption of 2.0 L/100 km (140 mpg_-imp; 120 mpg_-US). By selecting Pure, the car runs in all-electric mode, and the Power mode combines the capabilities of the engine and motor to deliver 225 kW (302 hp), 550 N·m (405 lb-ft) of torque and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 5.5 seconds.

Volvo unveiled the production model, the S60L T6 Twin Engine PHEV, at the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show. Sales of the S60L T6 PHEV, limited to the Chinese market, began on 22 April 2015. The production model has an all electric range of 53 km (33 mi).

Volvo S60 Cross Country

A new model known as the S60 Cross Country will be released for the 2016 model year in North America (as it was for the 2015 model year in Europe). This variant will be similar to the Volvo V60 Cross Country as it will be the raised sedan variant of the car.