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The new S60 is the first car in the world with a system to 'see' pedestrians and brake automatically if there is an chance of a collision.
Pedestrians can breathe a little easier if they see a new Volvo S60 coming down the road.
The reason is simple — the new S60 is the first car in the world with a system to 'see' pedestrians and brake automatically if there is an chance of a collision.
Volvo has been working on the safety breakthrough for more than five years and has built it into a car which will be a landmark for the brand as the last all-new model before the Chinese take control of the Swedish make. Ford is about to sell Volvo and the S60 is the last car of an era which saw the brand make big strides on style, comfort and — not surprisingly — safety.
The S60 will reach Australia later in 2010 after an official preview at the Geneva Motor Show in just over three weeks. But the first details are public already and reflect everything from a good looking new body to improved safety, and even a bigger boot and more space in the rear seat.
"The emphasis is on emotional space, sporty design and dynamic driving properties. What is more, the car's innovative new technologies help you become both a better and safer driver," says Stephen Odell, president of Volvo Cars.
Engines in the new S60 will run from a fuel-miser 1.6-litre DRIVe diesel to a turbocharged five-cylinder petrol motor with 224 kiloWatts, with claims of a 10 per cent economy improvement across the range. A six-speed automatic is standard, with front-wheel drive except for Haldex all-wheel drive on the flagship T6.
Inside, Volvo claims a breakthrough infotainment system that integrates satnav, telephone, sound system and trip computer in either a five or seven-inch colour screen. On the safety front, and in addition to the pedestrian-protection system, Volvo is fitting a more-advanced ESP stability system that detects skidding earlier, the City Safety system — which brakes automatically to avoid car-to-car collisions — introduced on the XC60 and a new corner traction control system.
One surprise for the Swedish brand is that the new Volvo will be built at Ghent, in Belgium. The S60 will arrive in Australia towards the end of this year, but there is no firm news on prices or the model lin-eup.
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