Volvo S60 2010 review

The revolution at Volvo has stepped up a gear with the arrival of its new S60. The new mid-sizer sets a high-water mark for the Swedish brand in everything from design to driving enjoyment, and, predictably, safety.

The car is roomier than before, more sporty than any Volvo in memory, has breakthrough safety including Pedestrian Protection, and promises to be priced right to fight hard in the 3-Series BMW battleground. The S60 has all the right stuff for the coming contest and moves everything on from the classy XC60 which re-set the standard for Volvo in Australia.

The S60 should land before the end of the year and there are robust talks between Australia and Sweden about pricing, which needs to be solid in the $50,000-55,000 range.

Three S60 models open the action, the flagship T6 with a 3-litre petrol engine and the D5 and D3 turbodiesels. And there will be an S60-based wagon, the V60, in the first half of 2011. The S60 is built from the same basic structure as Volvo's larger flagship, the S80, but has been massively tweaked for strength, safety and driving enjoyment. There is an extra 50mm of rear legroom to answer owner complaints about the outgoing car.

"The task that we got was to develop the most dynamic Volvo ever. We needed driving dynamics in the car that matches the design. That was a big task for us," says S60 project director, Tomas Ahlborg. "In the previous version we had a design that was great, but not the driving dynamics."

The chassis work was handed to Stefan Sallqvist, who even uses former Bathurst racer John Cleland as one of his test drivers. "The slogan we've been working with a lot is 'If you feel safe you have more fun'. The car should be very predictable yet very responsive," he says. So all the suspension has been re-calibrated and re-worked, with front springs which are a massive 80 per cent stiffer than before. Yet Volvo also stayed committed to ride comfort and an overall package which works for all owners.

FIT-OUT AND EQUIPMENT

That is reflected in a car which looks good - and not at all boxy - with a cabin that shows real class. Some parts which look like metal are only plastic, but they are easy to overlook because the steering wheel is great, the centre console is well designed and user friendly, the sound systems are great and the aircon has no trouble during a 34-degree driving day in Portugal.

The final packages are not set for Australia but Volvo plans a full family of S60 and V60 models, using both petrol and turbodiesel engines with six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes, as well as front and all-wheel drive. There is also high-tech torque vectoring, but no sign - yet - of driver-friendly gearchange paddles.

SAFETY

On the safety front, Pedestrian Protection is the big breakthrough but the S60 also gets standard City Safety like the XC60 and Volvo's latest advanced stability control, a full set of airbags, anti-skid brakes and more.

MECHANICAL

Volvo will have a DRIVEe efficiency leader engine but the emphasis at the moment is on the 226kW/440Nm inline petrol six and the 152kw/420Nm and 121kW/400Nm turbodiesels. "We are hoping to have the car by December, but there is a chance it might push into early January," says Laurissa Mirabelli of Volvo Australia.

"Volvo is not known for its sedans but this is a strong segment in Australia and one we need to play in. We think we've got the right package now. We will start with the T6 six-speed auto with all-wheel drive and the T5. The front-wheel drive car, the 2.0 T, will happen next year with an entry point below $50,000. The pricing will be comparable with our competitors, but with more standard specification."

DRIVING

The S60 is surprisingly sporty. And not just sporty for a Volvo. It turns into corners with BMW-style grip, it rides as well as an Audi or better, and the quality looks and feels to rival a Benz C-Class. Add it up and you get a car which takes Volvo to a new level.

The S60 is still likely to get onto new-car shopping lists in Australia off the back of its safety - and perhaps the smooth new design - but it will win buyers with a more-comprehensive set of strengths than ever before.

The crucial thing is the pricing - Volvo must under-promise and over-deliver to conquer in the 3 Series class and that means a starting point below $50,000 for the basic S60 and some real action beneath the luxury car tax threshold.

Driving the S60 over some tough roads in Portugal reveals the extent of the work that has gone into the car. But it starts before turning the key, as the back seat has more genuine space than before - even if it compromises and the boot and, in a knock-on effect, the lack of a spare wheel.

The seats are cushy and combine genuine support in the front buckets, the steering wheel is Momo-style sporty and grippy, the latest centre console is angled towards the driver, and the controls have the usual solid Volvo feel.

Starting with the grunty D5 diesel is a great introduction to the new S60, because it is actually the pick of the bunch. The engine is well matched to the six-speed automatic gearbox and always seems eager and refined, although shift paddles would make it better.

The real surprise is the way the car responds to the - driver adjustable - steering. It just turns at any speed on any surface, without any kick back or resistance. There is some front-end push but nothing nasty. The car is also quiet and cushy, a nice combination.

As I cycle through the petrol-powered T6 and the front-drive D3 turbodiesel also available at the press preview I find my admiration for the car growing and growing. The D3, in particular, makes a solid impression with a manual gearbox and a slightly lighter feel to the way it rides.

Overall, the S60 is the first Volvo in an age which doesn't feel like the wheels have been bolted to the chassis through big blocks of rubber. It is solid and precise, yet still has the comfort and quietness expected in the prestige class.

The shape looks good, quality is what you expect, and the safety - well, at Volvo it's a given and there will also be Pedestrian Protection. The only remaining question is if Volvo Australia can get the Audi-BMW-Benz crowd to look outside their comfort zone for their next car.

VOLVO S60

Price: estimated starting below $50,000
On sale: early 2011
Body: four-door sedan
Engines: 3-litre petrol, 2.4-litre turbodiesel, 2-litre turbodiesel
Power: 226kW, 152kW, 121kW
Torque: 440Nm, 420Nm, 400Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual and auto, all-wheel and front drive
Economy: 9.9L/100km, 5.3L/100km, 5.3L/100km

RIVALS

Audi A4
BMW 3 Series
Lexus IS
Mercedes C-Class