S60/V60 Next S60 up in the air?

[Deutsch]

It's unknown as to whether or not there will be a new S60 come next year when the current model reaches it's 7th birthday, which is usually around the time a new generationl is launched. Recently pics of a car believed to be a new generation S60 prototype have been circulating the net, however many have been in doubt that this is indeed the new car since it looks os incredibly similar to the new S80 prototypes that were running around not that long ago. For those who believe that these pics do indeed show the new S60, the odds might perhaps be in their favor. Look at the picture below...



While the rear looks much the same as the S80, note the rear doors are much much shorter than those on it's larger brother. However small and negligible a difference, a big difference it is in determining the contiunation of the smaller compact sports sedan. S80 pic provided below for comparison..

Also, the following information has been posted on several sites along w/ the pics of the supposed S60 prototype. I know we have Swede's here who might be able to clue others in as to what exactly this information tells.

Regnr: WXA563 Färg: SVART
Fabrikat: VOLVO
Årsmodell: 2005 Fordonsslag: PB
Chassinummer: YV1AS985071000305
Upplysningar:

Ägare/Brukare
Namn: VOLVO PERSONVAGNAR AB
Adress: AVD 98800, PVP1
Postnr: 405 31 Förvärvsdatum: 2005-06-07
Ort: GÖTEBORG

Försäkringsuppgifter
Försäkringsbolag: Volvia
Försäkringsdatum: 2005-06-07

Fordonsdata
Fordonsstatus: I trafik (2005-06-28)
Antal ägare: 1
Datum för första reg.: 2005-06-08 Producentansvarig: 556074-3089
I trafik första gång: 2005-06-28 Yrkesmässig trafik:
Fordonet tillverkat: Direktimport: Nej
Utredning: Nej Tillfällig registrering: Nej

Besiktningsuppgifter
Besiktningstermin: 2009-01-01 - 2009-05-31
Senast godkända besiktning:
Föreläggande: Nej Körförbud: Nej
Vägmätarställning, km:

Skatteuppgifter
Skattepliktigt: Ja Brukandeförbud: Nej
Årsskatt, kr: 2184
Debitering vid påställning, kr: 0 Debiterad fordonsskatt, kr: 0
Kreditering vid avställning, kr: 182 Debiterad avgift, kr: 0
Huvuduppbördsmånad: juni Förfallen skatt/avgift, kr: 0
Skrotningspremie, kr: 700

Vägavgift
Vägavgift (kr/år): 0 Betald till och med:

Tekniska data
Effekt kW: 200 Antal passagerare: 4
Max släpvagnsvikt:
Max släpvagnsvikt B-behörighet: 1400
Max lastvikt: 430
Kopplingsanordning 1: Kopplingsanordning 2:
Däckdimension fram: Däckdimension bak: 215/55R16
Kaross: Täckt
Drivmedel: BENSIN Alternativt drivmedel:

 

[Deutsch]

Old new S80 spy pics also for comparo...







ok, maybe it is the same car... sad sad sad...

 

[MikeJ]

Well, it says the car has been first registered in June 2005 and it's a black Volvo. And it's has a 200-kW (272 hp) engine. Of course, if we have someone who is an expert on Volvo VIN numbers there's one for him to decypher, but for what I see in the pic I'd say it's the S80.

 

[wltsm]

Considering the S60 has just had a facelift, would the new model be out already testing?

 

[Centurion]

I've seen one or twp S60(?)s with camo in my area code. More over I see the new S80 more or less everyday and to be honest it has already started to look boring and slightly aged. It simply looks to similar to the current S80, S40 and the previous S80. Volvo have really bit themselves in the ass this time.

 

[Yperion]

I read in a car magazine not long ago that S60 might not get a replacement at all but instead the next S40 will grow significantly and cover the space between today's S40 and S80.
The S40 is based on Ford's C1 platform and S80 on C1+ so there is really no other platform between these two for the new S60 to use?

 

[wltsm]

That doesn't make sense to me, unless the S60 isn't making any money!

I could see then getting rid of the S40 but not the S60. To me the S80 competes against the 5er and S60 is kinda 3er, but what about the S40? This is more about pricing than sizes though.

 

[Yperion]

Right now:

S40,V50 -->VW Jetta, A3 Sportback
S60 --> A4, 3 series, C class
S80 --> A6, 5 series , E class

The way i see it (based from what i read in a car magazine) since S40 is based on Ford Focus and S80 on the next Ford Mondeo there is no space for a new S60 since there is no Ford model between Focus and Mondeo!!! Strange but true.

 

[Snake Vargas]

Does 'same platform' necessarily mean 'same wheelbase'?

Anyhow, I reckon the S40 has been a better seller in its shorter years than the S60, though of course perhaps from its lower price. Maybe they'll keep that and move it up a half-size.

They'll have the C30 to cover the smaller end, anyhow.

 

[Yperion]

Does 'same platform' necessarily mean 'same wheelbase'?

Normally yes but VW for example has moved one step ahead with the "flexible platform". For example Golf, Eos ,Passat essentially use the same platform but the wheelbase and track are different.

 

[Giannis]

I can't tell from the pic if this is the new S60 or not, but i don't think that a new S60 is so close.
As for what Yannis said, about Volvo not making a new S60, i don't think that this is correct. I had a conversation with a guy from the local Volvo dealer recently, who told me that the facelift S60 has been very profitable for them, selling way more cars than expected, at least in my area.

As for the: S60: A4, 3er, C-Class
this is quite true, but noone can deny that the S60 is far more spacious than any of them, and that's where Volvo aimed.

 

[Deutsch]

I've seen one or twp S60(?)s with camo in my area code. More over I see the new S80 more or less everyday and to be honest it has already started to look boring and slightly aged. It simply looks to similar to the current S80, S40 and the previous S80. Volvo have really bit themselves in the ass this time.

Wow! So you're sure this prototype you've seen driving around is the new S60? What leads you to believe so? The S60 is by far one of the biggest cars in it's class concerning interior room. As for the drive? I say it's much like a European Buick, but much much better than a Buick. I think somewhere Clarkson called it "the new age 3 series"??? > really don't agree w/ that one, but w/e, it's Clarkson.

 

[wltsm]

If he's seeing prototypes, and seeing S80s, it can't be them so it must be the S60!

 

[Deutsch]

If he's seeing prototypes, and seeing S80s, it can't be them so it must be the S60!

I hope.