S60/V60 Volvo S60 - First Drives (CarMag, …)

[ree]

Because there was surprisingly no thread…

First up, the new Volvo S60 driven here in D5 trim in our interim early-bird review; come back over the next 24 hours for our final road test report of Volvo's 2010 S60. All the D5 cars on launch have AWD (front-wheel drive is available), so we drive a toppish-spec car with leather, nav and Volvo's new pedestrian saving gadget that'll stop you mowing over errant walkers (more of which later).

It's an important car for Volvo, the new S60. Tired of being also-rans with the 850 and S60, the Swedes are now aiming for a much sportier marketplace. Nothing less than best in class handling, in fact. Read the caveats and you'll see that actually refers to front-wheel drive compact execs – so the S60 must beat the Audi A4 and Alfa 159. No great shakes.

A Volvo best in class to drive? Whatever next!

Yes, there's a more youthful vibe going on with the new 2010 Volvo S60. We lost count of the number of mentions of 'driving pleasure', 'dynamic' and 'sporty' – it was like being on a German car launch. For starters, the Steve Mattin exterior is marvellously eye-catching. It's wedgy, low slung, so much more interesting than a 3-series silhouette. The rear end is especially pretty, but those bug-eyed front headlamps and day-running LEDs will take some getting used to. Overall, though, the new S60 looks good in our burnt copper paint. Slippery, too, at a 0.28 drag coefficient.

Inside the S60 is more evolutionary. In a good way. Volvo interiors are a lesson in classy understatement and the S60's is no different. The floating stack, uncluttered layouts, sensible ergonomics – this is a comfy, cool place to sit. Needless to say the chairs are quite supportive too and you'll be comfy after long stints at the wheel.

Step into the back seats and you'll pay for that swoopy back end. The doors are narrow and legroom is tighter than many rivals. Space for feet is seriously pinched, too. Volvo says it's bigger than the outgoing S60 launched in 2000 and it might be fine for kids, but don't buy an S60 for chauffeuring duties. That's what the bigger, airport-spec S80's for.

The killer question: how does the new 2010 S60 drive?

We've spent an afternoon with the D5 and will update this review with other engines when we've driven them in the next 24 hours. But the top diesel is a refined thing. Most buyers – in fact 86% of UK customers – will plump for a diesel S60 and you can see why.

Our 203bhp 2.4 hauls with sufficient gusto, all the while accompanied by that charismatic five-cylinder mooing thing. I like the oddball soundtrack, others may not. We'll try the downsized 2.0-litre D3 tomorrow; it shares the same five-cylinder block as the D5 albeit with shorter stroke and bore.

One glitch: the six-speed auto fitted to our test car constantly hunts for gear and in hilly terrain I ended up manually shifting to prevent mid-corner hesitation. Not the best auto 'box, especially compared with the latest ZF auto you'll find in modern BMWs or Jaguars. Traction on our AWD S60 model, however, is excellent, letting you apply full throttle even out of slippery T-junctions.

That said, adding AWD to the D5 cripples the emissions; pick the manual D5 and you'll manage a respectable CO2 figure of 139g/km; add the auto transmission and you'll sink to 166g/km; add the auto-only AWD to the mix and you're in an entirely different ballpark of 179g/km. Mind you, if you're a company car driver and CO2's your thing, you should wait for 2011's DRIVe model with a 1.6 diesel and a lowly 114g/km of carbon.

And the fun bit? Does the new S60 handle?

Ah yes. The S60 doesn't on first impressions move the dynamic goalposts as much as Volvo would have you believe. It's slightly sportier than before and it's more chuckable than a previous-shape S60, thanks to torque vectoring that sends power to the outside wheel in extremis. But the 3-series and C-class can rest easy. To give Volvo their credit, it's more fun than an Audi A4 too – but I've always had a beef with the A4's oddly weighted steering.

No, what's impressed on this first afternoon's drive is, ironically enough, the new Volvo S60's comfort. The ride is cushty, even with the upgraded 18in wheels and 40-profile Continentals on our test car. Seems to me Volvo's swallowed the German line of sporty is best; what's wrong with a Lexus-alike priority on comfort?

We'll learn more of the S60's dynamic properties in the next 24 hours – so come back later for our final verdict and star ratings.

Volvo S60 D5 (2010) CAR review | Road Testing Reviews | Car Magazine Online

 

[Giannis]

Why, oh why, can't they show us another colour?

 

[ree]

Why, oh why, can't they show us another colour?

Glad, there were press cars with different interior:

 

[Mr Robert]

I did not like it at all at first but now I think I'm warming up to it! It is a killer in black..

 

[ree]

I did not like it at all at first but now I think I'm warming up to it! It is a killer in black..

It is - looks damn dynamic in darker colours and elegant in silver tones…could be a fantastic alternative to the other cars of this segment.

 

[braaf]

I did not like it at all at first but now I think I'm warming up to it! It is a killer in black..

There are certain elements of the interior that i don't like other wise it's typical Volvo sumptuos interior.
Warming up to exterior.

 

[Tarek]

Still can't get past the front.

 

[Merc1]

Hmmm...just to wavy/curvy/lumpy for a Volvo to my eye. I bet the seats are some of the best in the world though. Need to see it in person.


M

 

[ree]

AutoExpress - First Drive: Volvo S60 D5

The S60 is bringing sexy back! Volvo’s slinky new 3-Series rival has landed and Auto Express has driven it first.

Tasked with adding a dash of desirability and sportiness to the range, one glance at the swoopy styling confirms the S60’s landmark status in the Volvo line-up. The newcomer swaps the boxy lines normally associated with the Swedish manufacturer and features an Audi A5-apeing crease, running from headlights to taillights, that bends and flows around the wheel arches.

Its aggressive front treatment is carried over from the facelifted C30 and C70 and adds to the impression of a four-door coupe rather than a traditional saloon. And despite measuring in at a three centimetres longer than its predecessor, short overhangs give it a compact and muscular stance. But has the sporty styling been translated into an engaging drive?

Our test car was fitted with a 202bhp 2.4-litre D5 diesel, although a newly developed five-cylinder 161bhp 2.0-litre D3 unit and a range-topping 300bhp 3.0-litre T6 petrol with four-wheel drive are also available. The D5 is as smooth, quiet and punchy as we’ve become accustomed to, with a soothing five-cylinder thrum on full throttle. Excellent insulation, slim A-pillars and supple suspension boost refinement and make the car a superb long-distance companion.

The pleasant surprise is that the S60 sets a new dynamic benchmark for the firm. Our only major gripe is the overly light steering, but what it lacks in feel it makes up for in directness – small inputs produce instant responses. Specify the active chassis software for £1,125 and you can choose between three settings for the suspension, too. Overall it feels closer in character to the Audi A4 than the more athletic BMW 3-Series, but it’s certainly a step-forward.

When it comes to cutting edge safety technology, the Swede has the Germans stumped. The latest addition to Volvo’s raft of accident prevention gadgets is Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake. Available as an option, it uses radar in the car’s grille and a camera in front of the rear-view mirror to sense a pedestrian crossing or about to cross the road and applies full braking force if the driver fails to react.

The S60 is by no means perfect, but in terms of style, safety equipment and driving dynamics it breaks new ground for Volvo and provides them with a worthy challenger to the established players from Germany.

Rival: Audi A4
The handsome A4 holds its own dynamically with the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class. There’s a wide range of efficient petrol and diesel engines too. The cabin is the best in the class, while strong residuals and low CO2 emissions make it a solid choice for private and fleet buyers alike.

Volvo S60 D5 | First Drives | Car Reviews | Auto Express

 

[ree]

AutoCar - First Drive: Volvo S60 T6 AWD



What is it?

This is the all-new replacement for the first S60, which was launched back in 2000 and sold 600,000 units over its nine-year life span. Volvo says the new S60 ‘is the most dynamic Volvo ever …the emphasis is on emotional stance, sporty design and dynamic driving properties.’.

Although the car is based on the Ford Group EUCD platform (like the Mondeo, V70 and S80), Volvo engineers say that the changes made to the S60’s chassis are so extensive and far-reaching they could not, for example, be retro fitted to today’s V70 without considerable expense.

The S60’s emphasis on sporting performance is much more than the stock ‘lowered and stiffened’ formula. Indeed, Volvo’s chassis engineers spent nearly 20 weeks in Britain tuning the damping of the new S60. They were convinced that the UK’s roads posed the greatest challenge in the world. ‘Get it right in the UK, and the car will work anywhere’ they said at the launch.

Other highlights include a stiffer front subframe, stiffer strut top mounts, stiffer bushes, 10 percent quicker steering rack and a new steering column that’s twice as rigid as the unit used on other current models. The rods in the front dampers have been upsized from 22mm to 25mm for greater rigidity and the front end is lower than is the case for its existing sister models.

This T6 AWD is the range-topping model. The 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged engine is familiar, but this unit has been updated to produce 300bhp and benefits from lower internal friction. Driving a six-speed auto it returns a claimed 28.5mpg on the combined cycle.

In the flesh, the S60 looks much better than it does in PR photos. It’s clearly the son of the original, which is no bad thing. The interior is, again, tilted towards the driver and the TV screen is now embedded in the dash. Chunks of the cockpit, though, such as the centre console layout and door trim and switchgear design seemed not to have changed. Which is all to the good.

Under the swooping roofline, rear legroom is much improved. The boot is a decent size, but there’s no spare wheel under the floor. Indeed, the car doesn’t even have a wheel well.……

Volvo S60 T6 4WD SE - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk

 

[ree]

carenthusiast - first drive: Volvo S60

Looks like Volvo did a great job with the new S60 - first drive reports don't be bad! But can't understand why they only had golden/bronze test/press cars…

First Drive: Volvo S60
Volvo's saloon gets looks, more dynamism and yet manages to retain its traditional appeal.

More than ever Volvo appears to want some of what BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi has got, and who can blame it with the premium players making such an impact in the sales charts? It reckons with the new S60 it's got the car to take them on too, the Swedes talking confidently about the 'most sporting and dynamic Volvo ever.' That might be true, but Volvo has achieved that without losing its Volvo-ness, which is no bad thing.

In the Metal

Volvo promised the dramatic S60 concept would provide the shape for the production car and it's largely delivered that. Naturally some of the finer details have been lost in translation, but it's certainly a striking looker. Like every manufacturer at the moment it's claiming coupé-like styling, even suggesting the rear doors disappear. That's stretching it quite a bit, not least because the rear door handles are huge.

Mixing traditional Volvo design cues with more flair the S60 takes the strong shoulder line typical of modern Volvos and kinks it up over the rear. It's a handsome, rather than beautiful car, the slightly droopy headlights and busy protruding grille meaning the front is not its best angle.

Inside it's a demonstration of simple Swedish simplicity and ease of operation. The fit and finish is up with Audi's offerings, while the sports contoured seats retain the sofa-like feel that's long been a Volvo trait. There's plenty of space in there too, and the boot's so big you might not have to wait for the forthcoming estate version - unless you need to shift a chest of drawers.

What you get for your Money

Without quite the cachet to compete against the established Germans Volvo throws kit at the S60. Most significantly in this class is the standard fitment of City Safety, Volvo's collision avoidance technology. Opt for the Driver Support Pack and the S60 comes with Active Cruise Control with distance alert and Queue Assist (which works from standstill to 124mph), Collision Warning with full Auto Brake, Lane Departure Warning with Driver Alert Control and Blind Spot Information System. All of that means you'll have to be pretty determined to crash it, as the S60 will be trying its best to stop you.

Driving it

Drive it with all that kit active and it's like sitting behind a rolling pinball machine, the plentiful bings, bongs and flashing lights little more than an annoyance. If you're sleepy or incompetent enough to need them let someone else drive. Switching off the light and sound show reveals a Volvo that lives up to the company's claims of being more dynamic and interesting to drive than anything else it's built before. Thank the chassis, which can be had in front- or four-wheel drive - all wheels being driven on the performance T6 flagship. Forget about that though as all but one or two people will buy it, the diesels being the engines of choice.

Volvo reckons 86 percent of buyers will opt for diesel power. And until the super-frugal sub-115g/km 1.6-litre DrivE model arrives that means either the 161bhp D3 or the 202bhp D5. Ignore the D3 and D5 names, as these are the same five-cylinder units, the D3 being 2.0-litres and the D5 being a 2.4-litre unit. The similarities don't stop at the block either, as each delivers the same 139g/km of CO2 and 53.3mpg on the combined cycle - making the 2.4-litre no more of a tax burden if you choose it.

With nearly identical torque figures both of the fives delivers useful low-down urgency and cruise quietly at motorway speeds on next-to no revs. They're quiet most of the time, but rev them harder and the odd but not unappealing five-cylinder growl can be heard, but it's rarely unruly. Much like the handling, which proves to be surprisingly surefooted and resistant to understeer.

What's most impressive though is the S60's ability to smother nasty road surfaces. Its engineers apparently spent a lot of time driving on the UK's crappy roads to perfect the balance, saying that if the suspension works in Britain it'll work anywhere. They're right. It's a shame they didn't add some more feel to the steering, which, although accurate and quick enough, gives little in the way of information.

Given its new-found dynamism it's odd that with the automatic the only way you can shift gears for yourself is via the gear selector, Volvo not putting paddles on the steering wheel. Given you can control just about everything else on the wheel it's an oversight, especially as the auto often has different ideas as to when changing is a good idea than you might.

Worth Noting

Volvo makes the S60 with two different chassis settings, us Europeans getting a car with a more sporting bent, while other markets like America get an S60 which is focussed more on comfort. Given the European S60 does comfort very well the US spec cars must be like driving magic carpets.

Summary

The new S60 is sportier and more dynamic, but Volvo has achieved this without losing its core appeal of comfort and refinement. Add some dramatic new looks, an interior that's better finished than its BMW and Mercedes premium rivals and the S60 makes a strong case for itself. It's unlikely it'll persuade customers to trade in their German premium machines, but it might just stop a few buyers coming out of mainstream cars from ever reaching their plate glass showrooms. Job done, then.

Car reviews | Volvo S60 | First Drive: Volvo S60 | by Car Enthusiast

 

[ree]

Motortrend - First Drive: Volvo S60 T6 AWD

First Drive: 2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD
A Sporting Volvo? Get Your Driving Gloves On

Billed as the sportiest Volvo ever (which may come as some surprise to owners of the C30 coupe), the new 2011 Volvo S60 sedan will be the first Volvo launched under Chinese ownership when it goes on sale in the U.S. this October -- if all goes as planned they'll be signing the final release papers from Ford to Geely ownership early this fall.

The S60's design, like so many new sedans recently, adheres to the 'four-door coupe' aesthetic. But make no mistake; this Volvo is a relatively spacious, four-door sedan with more room for rear seat passengers than its predecessor offered. Its trunk can swallow a couple of big Samsonites no problem, and thanks to the S60's distinctive bowed-roof shape, there's headroom to spare, although the sloping roof rail is likely to ding the crania of more than a few folks climbing out of the back seat.

With its purposeful curves, Aston Martin-style look at the rear and a Dr. Kamm-type kickup on the trunklid, the S60 is an attractive car. Its headlamps have the du jour light-emitting-diode running lamps and projector main beams, and the sills are beautifully tucked under to create the impression of an aerodynamic, ready-for-business sedan.

The interior's undergone a subtle makeover, with refinements to fascia plastics, lovely soft chunky leather seats, a new center console with a single pod of switches and dials topped with a five- or optional seven-inch screen for navigation, and reverse and front camera displays. The driver gets a two-dial binnacle, with analog displays of speed and revs, plus digital displays for car settings and fuel consumption. There's plenty of storage space around the driver, and it's all nicely finished, with mats at the bottom of the door bins, and a lined center-console cubby.

Under the skin is effectively a cut-and-paste S80 platform with the same-old, same-old MacPherson-strut front and multilink rear suspension, but there are significant differences. This car has been through the Swedish skunk works, getting a faster steering rack, harder suspension bushing, lower suspension with shorter and lower springs, and stiffer damping in bounce and rebound.…

2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD Sedan - First Drive - Motor Trend

 

[Human]

Still can't get past the front.

...And the shape overall would not stand the test of time, next 3er & German friends has absolutely nothing to fear, the Volvo's visual appeal is going to age VERY fast.

Interior - Nice layout and I myself like the Swedish magic touch and 'architecture'

 

[ree]

AutoExpress - First Drive: Volvo S60 D3

Extremely short, but great to see different exterior and interior combination. Also interesting to see a manual version here:



Badges can be confusing. Take the new Volvo S60, for example.

When the BMW 3-Series rival arrives next month, buyers will get a choice of a 3.0 six-cylinder T6 petrol and a 2.4-litre five-cylinder D5 diesel. But the top seller will be an all-new D3 diesel – which, despite the badge, is not a three-cylinder.

Instead it’s a 2.0-litre version of the D5 five-cylinder with one turbo, rather than two. As a result, power is down from 202bhp to 161bhp – although torque output drops by a mere five per cent.

Only at the top end of the rev range do you notice the difference – the D3 runs out of puff after 3,500rpm, while the D5 keeps pulling. This won’t be apparent in normal driving; owners are likely to focus more on the plentiful in-gear shove for overtaking. The unit is less gruff than the D5, too.

Really, it’s hard to justify paying the £2,655 premium for the larger engine. We’d spend the money on the optional Geartronic auto box – this suits the S60 better than the manual, which has a long throw and a vague feel. You can also catch your elbow on the centre console when changing gear.

The only saving grace is that the manual is more efficient. And because it emits less CO2 than the Geartronic, buyers can cut their road tax by £46 a year.

Read more: Volvo S60 D3 | First Drives | Car Reviews | Auto Express

 

[Soup]