Volvo S60 2014 News

Do not go looking in a showroom for anything you see on the track in V8 Supercars racing. There is no such thing as an Erebus. The Nissan Altima does not have a V8 engine. Even the Falcon and Commodore that race today are barely related to the road going cars with the same name.And the Volvo S60 that hits the grid in 2014? Well, it's just a high-speed parody of a Swedish family car. Volvo is going to roll out a car with a retired V8 engine that was once used in the XC90 people mover, switching drive from the front wheels to the back, not bothering about airbags or ABS brakes, and definitely not fitting its brilliant City Safety system. So it's a Volvo, Sven, but not as we know it.V8 Supercars racing might be great entertainment, but more people are now following drivers than car brands - as Craig Lowndes proved by swapping from Holden to Ford, then back-flipping to the red lion, while continuing as the biggest drawcard in Australian motorsport.As for the old saying “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday”, it's so old that it's past its sell-by date. Literally. If you want proof you only have to look at Falcon sales results. The family Ford - or something badged that way - still wins on the track, but it's a long-term loser in showrooms and heading for the knackery in 2016. Or, quite likely, earlier.So why are car companies still joining V8 Supercars?  The simple answer is what the Gruen crew call marketing and brand building. Volvo wants to look a bit speedy, not just safe and sensible, so it's going racing.Nissan wants to create some anticipation for the upcoming mid-sized Altima, so it's going racing. Ford and Holden need to continue their appeal in the rust belt - as Toyota unkindly calls it - where the Commodore and Falcon are the top choices for secondhand shopping, so they continue racing. Track action also helps Holden shift some SS and HSV hero cars.As for Erebus, it's a life-sized racing game for mega-rich Betty Klimenko, who happens to be a huge Mercedes-Benz fan. So Benz is not backing the program, and was actively against it for a while but she is spending more than enough millions to compensate with cars that are dead ringers for Mercedes E63s.The Carsguide crew are long-time fans of touring car racing, enjoy a bit of on-track biff, and know that nothing in Australian sport is more special than Bathurst in October. But the days when Bathurst was a high-speed showroom are so far in the past that we might as well be talking about the Jurassic age.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

We'll see three new entrants due to lob within the next 12 months, including Mercedes-Benz's new A-Class.It will be joined in the fray by Audi's new A3 and the new Volvo V40, a shorter, hatchback variant of the S60 sedan for want of a better description.All are five door hatchbacks with front wheel drive. BMW's stylistically challenged 1-Series is the only rear wheel drive. Although some manufacturers are reluctant to admit it, the main competition for all players is VW?s super popular Golf.CLEAN SHEETThe Benz is a clean sheet project having nothing at all in common with the previous A-Class mini people mover. That job has been ceded to the new Benz B-Class and it's an effective device for everyday family motoring. New A-Class is taking Benz in a totally new direction that will open up a wider and younger customer base to the three pointed star. Early kick-off price guesstimates are in the $35,000 range.DIGITAL NATIVESIt's a car precisely targeting the Gen Y and Xers (so called Digital Natives) replete with a full array of connectivity right down to being able to seamlessly hook up your iPad or iPhone to the in-car info/control system.It will be a smart phone on wheels offering a smooth transition from a digital lifestyle to a digital driving style. And get this, there's a virtual co-driver you can question or instruct to operate in-car functions.LOOKSThe stunning looker, which bears a remarkable similarity to the A Concept of 2011, will be made in Germany, Hungary and tellingly, China. And we can expect a few other variants built on the same front wheel drive platform (moving to all wheel drive when AMG gets its hands on A-Class).UNDER THE BONNETIt will be powered by a range of existing and a couple of new Benz turbo direct injection petrol and turbodiesel engines rated from 80kW through to 155kW with capacities ranging from 1.6 through to 2.1-litres. Benz hasn't confirmed it but a three door hatch variant should become available a little further down the track and possibly a drop top cabriolet.Benz's performance partner AMG has been enlisted to develop certain A-Class parts so they have intimate knowledge of the car already. The A250 Sport enjoys significant AMG input. New A-Class will be offered with six-speed manual and seven-speed dual clutch manumatic transmissions and all models will have auto stop/start to optimise fuel economy.Camtronic that alters valve lift in the petrol engines for peak efficiency will also make an appearance. An 'Eco' mode will be available to squeeze out the last kilometre in fuel economy if you drive carefully.ACRONYMS R USBenz won't hold back on the acronym features list either that will see the new baby Benz fitted with a speed limiter (Distronic), radar-based Collision Prevention Assist (CPA), Pre-Safe collision preparation and Lane Keeping Assist as well as Fatigue Alert and numerous other electronic driver and safety aids. They have filtered down from larger models as has the luxury inventory.STYLEIt has an assertive stance on the road with a masculine frontal appearance and deeply sculpted panels. The ride height is low and a striking "pointillist" style grille is available on some models. It looks ready to pounce from all angles and inside, the assertive, quality theme carries through with seats for four and a reasonable boot space.The dash is from funky town featuring an electroplated look to many surfaces and impressive audio and lighting spex. It rates a strong five stars in crash testing and boasts newly developed pedestrian safety technology. The multi-faceted headlights feature a bank of LEDs for daytime running, indicators and parking lights. It rates a low 0.26Cd for aerodynamic efficiency.VERDICTIf it goes as good as it looks the new A-Class could be a world beater. It has the potential to lift Mercedes-Benz to a new level with a wider audience and still maintain that prestige aura associated with the 110 year old automotive brand. We find out soon enough.