All-new Volvo S60 set for Geneva launch
After a decade in service, Volvo is finally ready to pension off the S60, with the second generation model set to be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. Marking a distinct departure from the firm’s current styling language, Volvo proclaims the second-gen S60 to be ‘sportier and more distinct’ than any of its previous offerings.
Far from the current plain vanilla S60, the upcoming one can be properly labeled with such words as ‘sleek’, ‘stylish’, or even ‘exciting’ without you having to bat an eyelid. Indeed, certain design elements of the car would not be out of place on a Citroen. We hesitate to buy into Volvo’s assertion of it being a ‘foor-door coupe’, but that low-running roof line certain explains the temptation to do so.
Inside, we see a dashboard that is best described as being very ‘un-Volvo’. Whisper it, but there seem to some touches of BMW-ness in the cabin. The trademark floating centre console is still there, but it’s now angled very much in the driver’s direction. The big single blower at the top of the console, flanked by a smaller one, reminds us very much of the E36 3-series in execution if not aesthetics.
Four engine options will be available at launch – two diesel, and two petrol. Both oil-burners come in Volvo’s famous five-cylinder configuration, and the range starts with the 2.0 D3 variant, with 163hp and 400Nm available on tap. Moving upwards, we get the 2.4 D5, which is good for 205hp and 420Nm. The flagship petrol variant, the T6, will be powered by a 3.0-litre straight six engine rated at 304hp and 440Nm.
3.0-litre T6 engine
The other petrol engine, meanwhile, is an all-new 2.0-litre twin variable cam inline-4 Gasoline Turbo Direct Injection (GTDi) powerplant rated to produce 203hp and 300Nm from a very useable 1,750rpm.
The two diesel variants, both front-wheel drive, will be offered with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, with a 6-speed auto optionally available. Meanwhile, the all-wheel drive T6 petrol will be offered with Volvo’s second-generation Geartronic 6-speed auto as standard.
In 2011, the range is set to be joined by the DRIVe variant, powered by the famously frugal 115hp/270Nm 1.6-litre diesel engine with a claimed fuel economy of 4.3 litres/100km. This engine will only be available with a 6-speed manual transmission. Also to be introduced later is a 1.6 GTDi engine and an even more powerful version of the aforementioned 2.0 GTDi.
The 1.6-litre engine will be available in two states of tune, the 150hp T3, and the 180hp T4, while the even newer 2.0-litre motor will power the T5 with 240hp/320Nm. All GTDi variants will be offered with 6-speed manual transmission as standard, with the 6-speed Powershift twin clutch transmission available as an option.
2.0 GTDi engine.
In terms of underpinnings, Volvo claims that the all-new S60 is ‘without a doubt the most dynamic car model Volvo has ever presented’. Two chassis settings are available, one comfort-oriented and the other dynamic. Europe gets the latter, and little doubt which one we will be getting when it finally comes over. Besides different damper settings, the two chassis variants actually have different front and rear subframes as well.
Electronics backing up the new chassis include Advanced Stability Control, which incorporates a new roll angle sensor that enables early detection of skiddings. This, Volvo claims, allows the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) to step in earlier and more precisely. Also featured is Cornering Traction Control that actually has a proper torque vectoring system which sends more power to the outer wheels in a corner, while at the same time braking the inner wheel.
In terms of safety, we certainly expect nothing but the very best from Volvo, as this aspect of their cars form their age-old USP. While the Volvos of yesterday built their reputations on a sturdy shell, the new ones go about the task with very different means, using algorithms and electronic circuit boards instead.
Those days, your Volvo is more than likely to survive nasty collisions intact with minimal damage. Now, it also helps to keep your driving license intact, with a Pedestrian Detection feature that has the ability to apply full braking power to stop the car in the event you ignore the system’s beepings.
The new S60 is expected to commence delivery during the northern summer this year. Ours should come at the end of the year or early next, with the biggest question mark once again on the compatibility of the direct injection engines with our poor fuel.
KON
