Volvo Reviews

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?What is it?Volvo's first ultra sporty jigger, a collaboration between Volvo Australia and performance partners, Polestar and Heico Sportiv. Think of Polestar in the same terms as HSV or FPV. Just 50 examples of this limited edition have been bolted together.How much?Priced from $82,990 it costs $10,000 than the T6 R-Design on which it is based. Not cheap but in the context of its of the segment it's almost a bargain.What are competitors?Anything sporty from the Germans Audi, Benz and BMW. Think S4, C350 or 335i. The S60 is cheapest but not by much after some pruning by Benz.What's under the bonnet?3.0-litre turbocharged six with 242kW of power and 480Nm of torque, underpinned by all-wheel drive and hooked up to a six-speed manumatic (but oddly no paddles). That's an increase of 18kW and 40Nm respectively over the standard S60 T6 R-Design. Polestar provides the extra herbs and Heico Sportiv, provided the dark 19-inch alloys and quad-exhaust system along with a custom rear air diffuser.How does it go?Wooshda. 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds. Not Ferrari quick but quick enough to get the blood pumping.Is it economical?Can be. Depends on how you drive. We clocked up close to 800km at a rate of 9.4 litres/100km after a bit of play time. Before that it dropped as low as 8.9 (bear in mind it takes premium 95RON unleaded).Is it green?Gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from the Govt's Green Guide, with fuel consumption of 10.2 litres/100km and emissions of 242g/km CO2.Is it safe?Gets a full five stars, with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake (CWAB) including Queue Assist and Pedestrian Detection. Blind Spot Awareness too.Is it comfortable?Yep. Combo cloth and leather seats but as the top of the line S60 heated front seats should be standard. Elaborate steering wheel sits nicely in the hands.What's it like to drive?Easy-peasy. Pedal it softly or plant your foot and feel the difference. Good grip and strong acceleration. Sounds the biz under full throttle. Shame there's no digital speedo or speed camera warnings.Is it value for money?Features sports seats with firmer bolstering, leather clad three-spoke wheel, dials with blue surrounds and aluminium ridged pedals. Satnav and premium 12 speaker sound included.Would we buy one?Very attractive car at a very attractive price. Looks and goes extremely well, with high levels of comfort and performance. Forget any preconceptions you might have about boring Volvos.Volvo S60 T6 R-Design PolestarPrice: From $82,990Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbocharged 242kW/480NmTransmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel driveThirst: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

The V40 shows Volvo finally has a handle on how to fight in the prestige hatch market. And it needs to, given the Swedish car will take on the likes of Audi's A3 and the BMW 1 Series in Australia.The company has recently tried to shrug off its cardigan-clad conservatism by building better looking cars; the V40 marks the move to building better driving ones.VALUEVolvo Cars Australia head Matt Braid says the entry level D2 diesel variant will "be under $40,000." Just how much under will be determined by how much advanced safety gear he can afford to pack in to the 1.6-litre turbodiesel.The key new technology - the improved City Safety software and a pedestrian impact airbag system - will be standard on all models.The look and feel of the interior plastics on the V40 is a marked step up and the equipment level is predicted to better its rivals. For the record, the A3 starts at $41,300 and the BMW runs from $39,593.TECHNOLOGYAs a car pitched at the the prestige market, there's a lot of tech in the V40 and most of it is useful. An instrument panel with three separate themes brings, according to Volvo, the "interaction between car driver and driver into a new dimension". Rubbish, but it's a good marketing gimmick that might impress potential buyers.The information, layout and colours change depending on the theme - Elegance, Eco and Performance. Bluetooth with audio streaming will be a more appreciated feature but owners will be rewarded if they take the time to dig through the menus and learn what this car can do.STYLINGWide and low is the look Volvo set for the V40 as to emphasise size in the compact hatch. It works - the car squats on the road and the wedgy design is instantly identified as a Volvo front or rear. The interior is a step up from the C30 and shows Volvo is serious about beign seen as a prestige player.The grey plastics on previous cars has been replaced by a classier charcoal look that is soft to the touch on all the key surfaces. A five-inch infotainment screen jumps to seven inches if the satnav option is ticked but the resolution is good even on the base unit. The only criticism applies to the back seats where adults will be longing for legroom on anything but a quick trip around town.SAFETYSaving lives - both the occupants and those around them - is the hook Volvo has long hung its hat on. The V40 takes that to the next level for a compact hatch and Volvo expects five stars. Eight airbags are standard, including the world first pedestrian impact airbag.The system uses seven accelerometers to determine if the front bumper has hit a human leg, rather than a pole or shopping centre bollard. If it is human, it gives more than the metal objects. At that point the system fires a pair of explosive charges to pop up the rear of the bonnet, giving more cushioning distance before the pedestrian hits the engine - and making room for an airbag to deploy and cover the bonnet/windscreen area and the bottom of the A-pillars.The City Safety software pre-brakes the car if it anticipates a hit with the back of another vehicle and the threshold has been raised from 30km/h to 50km/h in the V40. Blind spot assistance, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, rear parking cameras and automated parallel parking are also on the menu.DRIVINGA taut chassis - this platform is shared with the Ford Focus from the days when Volvo and Ford were sharing beds - sharp steering and sporty suspension make the V40 a genuinely fun drive. Dare to let the base D2 turbodiesel engine come off the boil and it has the pulling power of a teen afflicted with an acne outbreak.It is the same 1.6-litre engine found in Peugeots, Citroens and Minis and will be fine for city duties. Push it and the manual really needs to be ratcheted up and down the ratios to overcome tall gearing and a thin powerband. The tight uphill turns of the test route didn't flatter it, with the manual often revving too hard in a given gear but upshifts then cause it to slip under the 1750rpm threshold where the turbo kicks in.The quest for fuel economy sees it ride 10mm lower than the rest of the range but that - and the 18-inch rims fitted to our test car - means bumps are more noticeable. The 2.0-litre D4 oilburner is a much more rewarding drive.The six-speed auto (Volvo's dual-clutch automated manual transmission won't be available until late next year) works well with the 130kW/400Nm and the ride is more forgiving without hurting the car's cornering ability. The 2.5-litre petrol T4 destined for Down Under duties wasn't at the launch and the range-topping T5 isn't expected to be seen until later this year.VERDICTThe V40 shows that Volvo has a handle on what it takes to fight in the prestige compact market. The safety side can't be questioned so it's a case of pricing. If Volvo gets it right this car should be cross-shopped from the VW Golf up to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.Volvo V40Price: from $40,000 (estimate)Resale: N/AEngines (at launch): 1.6-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder, 84kW/270Nm (D2); 2.0-litre turbodiesel five-cylinder, 130kW/400Nm (D4); 2.5-litre turbo five-cylinder, 132KW/300Nm (T4);Transmissions: Six-speed manual, six-speed automatic, front-wheel driveBody: 4.37m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.42m (H)Weight: from 1357kgThirst: 3.6L/100km diesel, 94g/km CO2 (D2 manual); 4.3L/100km diesel, 114g/km CO2 (D4 manual); 5.2L/100km, 136g/km CO2 (D4 auto); T4 auto figures not released

In Sweden you can take classes in how to drive a car economically. Or, you could simply buy one of Volvo's new V40s, because the super smart hatch will do all the work for you. It has three different drive modes, selected from a carousel in the centre of the instrument panel, one of which Eco mode and is designed to reduce fuel consumption. It's not the only reason you'd buy the car, but it's certainly a drawcard - not to mention safety.BACKGROUNDThe V40 is Volvo's first 'proper' hatch, with four doors (five if you count the hatch) and room for three in the back. Prior to this it produced the C30, but it was a niche model, a funky four-seat hatch with only two doors and a tiny luggage area. As such the V40 (the V's for versatility) is likely to have much broader appeal. In fact, Volvo expects the car to become its biggest selling model worldwide. In Australia, however, its sales star is the XC60 - a mid-sized, five-seat SUV or offroader.DESIGNNot only does it look the goods, with sculpted panels, a low profile, wide stance and signature black tailgate - the V40 performs well too. The sporty dynamics (yes, sporty) really raise the bar for the Swede - better known for building safe cars than exciting ones.Inside, it's the same story, with darker trim that gives the car a premium feel, along with a more sophisticated LCD style instrument panel that changes colours plus a stylish illuminated gear shift knob. The seats are comfy and both driver and passenger sides have lumbar adjustment.Volvo reckons it's the most dynamic model that it has built to date and we're inclined to agree, after a searching test drive this week on some of Italy's treacherous mountain roads.Due for launch here in a little over six months, the V40 has all the makings of a game changer for the company, depending on the price and how much of the tech that we saw is actually standard.ORIGINSLike the C30 it's based on the same platform as the Ford Focus that enjoys an enviable reputation for sporty dynamics. Ford, by the way, used to own the company and even though Volvo is now owned by the Chinese the two still share some technology. V40 replaces both the S40 sedan and V50 wagon and maybe even the C30 which is also being phased out (more likely it will be replaced by another model - perhaps a V30?).RANGEWe got to drive three models of which two will be coming to Australia: the D2 1.6-litre four cylinder diesel, the D4 2.0-litre five cylinder diesel and the T4 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol model.The last one is not coming, at least not in its present form, and this is where it gets confusing. We will be taking the T4 - but with a five cylinder engine of the same capacity.A hero, high performance 2.5-litre turbocharged T5 R-Design model will be joining the trio too. It wasn't available to drive in Italy, but will be available from launch here in February.THE STATSThe D2 is good for 84kW/270Nm and 3.6 litres/100km and is basically the same engine that's in the current C30. It will be the entry level model and will be available as a six-speed manual only.The D4 puts out 130kW/400Nm and 4.7/5.2 litres/100km and will be available with a six speed manual or six-speed automatic. The five cylinder T4 puts out the same 132kW of power as its four cylinder cousin, but 300Nm of torque instead of 240Nm and will be available as an auto only. No fuel figures available.The T5 R-Design pumps out 187kW/360Nm and uses 7.9 litres/100km and will be auto only (odd that as a performance model there is no manual). All models are fitted with automatic stop/start to save fuel along with the ability to regenerate power.CHOICESThe driver has some choices to make before moving off, like how much assistance they want with the steering, which provides three levels of support: low, medium and high. Then there's three drive modes: Eco, Elegance and Performance, with different colour schemes for each - green for Eco, Amber for Elegance and red for performance. You can change drive modes on the move using a one of the steering column instrument stalks, but the car must be stationary to change the steering.THE DRIVEOf the three, the D4 with the larger diesel engine was the standout. The smaller D2 lacks torque off boost and this presents  a problem coming out of the rising, hairpin corners that we encountered. It is necessary to brake heavily and turn in sharply, dropping speed quickly and engine revs with it.As a result the engine is often left stranded between first and third gears, lacking any help from the turbo until the revs pickup - too fast to change down and too slow to change up.An auto would help smooth things out (are you listening Volvo?). Fortunately with plenty of grip the car can carry more corner speed than usual which helps alleviate the problem.The larger D4 is a revelation in comparison, with strong performance across the rev range and an auto to make things easy. Relatively quiet inside, it is not plagued by the same problem and was a pleasure to drive in most situations. Pricing it up is probably the only way to entice people into the smaller diesel.The T4 is also lively, feels lighter but lacks the torque of the diesel. The auto is much busier to compensate. As such we look forward to driving the torquier five cylinder version.Changing the drive modes and adjusting the steering makes a perceptible difference, but whether it's a novelty or used on a daily basis remains to be seen. In terms of fuel consumption, we got 7.8 litres/100km from the D2, 10.9 from the D4 and 14.7 from the T4 that we drove. Note though that all were being pushed hard.NEGATIVESAll-wheel drive is unavailable. There's only a space saver spare wheel and rear legroom is tighter than expected. There's no paddle shifts in sight either and they're needed  to keep pace with the competition.We applaud the addition of a digital speedo, but deplore the fact it is available only in performance mode. Not mention the fact that the navigation still does not provide speed camera warnings, although it does tell you what the current speed limit is.SAFETYComes with eight airbags and a whole range of safety systems - some standard, some probably not. It has not been crash tested yet, but Volvo is confident it will score a full five stars. They include a driver's kneebag and, in a world first, a pedestrian protection bag. The latter sits like a bra around  the lower part of the windscreen when activated to protect a pedestrian's head from injury in the unfortunate event that they are struck by the car.The car also brakes automatically when it detects a threat in front, the blind spot warning now also warns of rapidly approaching traffic and the rear parking sensors warn of approaching traffic from the sides when reversing out of a carpark.The lights also dip automatically when high beam is selected and parking assistance is also available. It will detect whether a space is large enough to accommodate the car, then reverse park with little intervention from the driver.COMPETITORSVolvo is targeting the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and soon to be released Benz A-Class - but not surpisingly the VW Golf. It believes the V40 is more of a premium product and will be priced accordingly, with the kick off figure likely to be $39,990. We reckon it sits somewhere between the two in terms of market perception and could appeal to buyers from both groups.

Picture this. The boss tells you that everyone at work is going to get a tattoo of the company logo to show their loyalty. Tick…tick…tick…would you do it?The crazy, fun-loving Swedes at Volvo's skunkworks Polestar have done exactly that - all 30 of them (they're passionate about their brand). Launched in 1996 and located in the city of Gothenburg, Polestar has been involved in motor racing for many years but has only recently turned its expert hand to building a road-going, go-fast Volvo. No one could accuse them of holding back.THE GOODSWith a turbo-charged 3.0-litre six, the all-wheel drive S60 Polestar produces an astounding 374kW of power (or 508 horsepower) and a thumping 575Nm of torque. It has a top speed of more than 300km/h and blasts from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds.JAY LENOPolestar has built only one of the cars so far and word has it that it will soon be in the hands of that noted collector, US talk show host Jay Leno.The price? A cool $US300,000. Jay's mechanic, "Volvo George" as he's nicknamed, is reported to own 75 Volvos himself, worked on the cars for 30 years and has apparently given the Polestar the thumbs up.DISASTER STRIKESSorry Jay. But there could be a slight delay in delivery mate. For one thing, we blew the clutch when test driving the beast at Volvo's proving ground outside Gothenburg this week. Well, not personally, but we were part of a crew of Australian journos who put the car in the pits for the rest of the day - luckily we got to drive it first (others weren't so lucky).THE DETAILSFinished in stunning Polestar blue with gunmetal grey 19 inch alloys, the S60 Polestar is a whole lotta car. Planning for a production version is still in the early stages, but the good news is that Australia is one of three countries that will be getting it - along with the UK and United States. Sitting 30mm lower than the already sporty T6 on which it is based, the guards and front and rear aprons have all been replaced with pumped out, carbon-fibre panels to accommodate the larger, wider wheels shod with 265/35 Michelins.The track is 20mm wider and the body has been braced and reinforced to accommodate the extra demands of the powertrain that produces a massive 67 per cent more power than a standard T6. Power is fed to all four wheels through a six-speed manual tranny, Haldex clutch and limited slip rear diff. Prior to this, Polestar built a race going version of the C30 hatch from which it has drawn experience.WHAT'S IT GO LIKE?Bloody quick. It's difficult to get off the line cleanly, but hits hard once the big Garret turbocharger kicks in. It brakes hard too, late and deep into corners, with six-pot Brembo stoppers up front. Weighing in at an optimised 1640kg, the battery has been relocated to the boot to provide better weight distribution and to free up much needed room under the crowded bonnet (blocking the ski hatch in the process).THE COMPETITIONAlthough it hasn't signed off on the project its obvious Volvo plans to build a production version of the car but probably for a lot less - how close it is in spec to the original remains to be seen? What and how much will more than likely be determined by the competition, BMW's M3 and the Benz C63 AMG sedans - not forgetting the Lexus IS-F. The cheapest, the IS-F, is priced from $127,000, the Benz from $153,000 and BMW M3 from $145,000 (Audi is yet to produce a new RS4). No matter how good the Volvo is, however, it's going to have an extremely difficult time persuading the cashed-up blokes that buy these cars to bypass any of these icons. Polestar's managing director Hans Baath said an initial run of 100 cars is planned but the company is not limited to this number.As yet the company has done nothing to promote the car, but news of it has travelled fast mainly by word of mouth. What did they have in mind when designing the S60? "We're a race team and we didn't benchmark the car against anything really," he said. "We want you to do that." The car looks purposeful but fashionably understated in an Audi sort of way. But the note from the two, large bore exhausts soon gives the show away.TOO MUCH?It's almost too much car, especially on the tight Volvo circuit with little room for runoff. We'd really need a couple of hours behind the wheel before feeling sufficiently comfortable to explore its limits. The engine revs to 7100rpm before the rev limiter kicks in which happens quickly, with holographic LEDs to indicate its time to change up. The shift action of the close ratio box is light and the clutch pedal is not what you'd call heavy, but with a high takeup point. The electro-hydraulic steering is also relatively light for a sports model. The thing is the production version will really need to be offered with a self-shifter as an option, whether it’s an auto or twin clutch.They are so much better at getting off the line quickly and, for those attracted by the lure of this tasty morsel - that's what it's all about (showing a clean pair of heels). We'll be interested to see what kind of time the car posts at the Nurburgring. Polestar says it has no plans to take it there, but it said the same thing about the previous C30 - only to be beaten by bad weather on the day.OZVolvo Cars Australia is of course keen to get hold of the car, more for the halo effect that it will have on the brand than sales it will generate. Certainly, no one in their right mind could label this another "boring" Volvo - not by any stretch of the imagination.The figures show Aussies are sports model focused, fixated almost with one in four Golfs sold being GTIs and one in 10 C-Class Benzs being C63AMGs. Volvo Cars Australia boss Matt Braid said sedans are the one weak link in the local lineup at the moment and the Polestar will have a huge spinoff in building the S60's profile. “The S60 sedan is a fantastic car in its own right but arguably that link will give us a leg up in credibility,'' he said.Volvo S60 PolestarPrice: from $US300,000Weight: 1640kgEngine: 3.0-litre six turbo-charged, 374kW/575NmTransmission: six-speed manual, all wheel drive 

Volvo has unveiled plans to launch a hybrid version of its S60 wagon in Australia. But unlike other hybrids already available here, this one's a little different because it combines a diesel with an electric motor.The result is a car that is capable of achieving the amazingly low fuel consumption figures of 1.9 litres/100km - yet still post a time of 6.2 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash. It's a plug-in hybrid which means you can simply plug it into a wall socket if the battery is running low, an operation that takes as little as 3.5 hours for a full charge depending on the number of amps you feed it.With a small 45 litre tank it can travel more than 1000km on a single tank of fuel. Sounds too good to be true.SWEDENSpeaking in Sweden this week, Volvo Cars Australia boss Matt Braid revealed the company hoped to have the car here and on sale before the end of next year. "It's a demonsration of our technology and what we can offer, but the volumes obviously won't be massive,'' he said."With Polestar at the other end of the market, we'll have both ends covered.'' Polestar is Volvo's high performance brand of which we are sure to be seeing much more in the near future.BACK TO THE HYBRIDThe V60 D6 AWD wagon is equipped with a 158kW 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine that drives the front wheels and a 50kW electric motor that drives the rear wheels, either separately or together - making it rear wheel drive, front wheel drive or all-wheel drive at the push of a button. It is capable of operating in one of the drive modes.In pure electric or `EV' mode it can travel for a distance of up to 50km, depending on how fast you're travelling (the faster you go the quicker it chews through the charge in its lithium-ion batteries). Top speed in EV mode is 120km/h.The wagon can also operate in full hybrid mode (the default mode) during which power is regenerated to recharge the batteries. And, in power mode, the diesel and electric motors team up to drive both sets of wheels, providing up to 208kW of power and 640Nm of torque in total.THE DOWNSIDE?The price, mainly. In Sweden the car retails for 560,000 Krona with the help of a tax break from the Government. In Australian dollars that's about $80,000 (or $12,000 more than the equivalent petrol powered T6 AWD model). But remember, that's with a tax break (the Australian Goverment hasn't been exactly helpful in this department to date).Mr Braid said it is too early to start talking about prices for the car yet, but he hopes to offer it for less than $100,000. That's probably a bit optomistic. We think $75,000 is closer to the mark - anymore than this and buyers are likely to reject the hybrid as an option."We hope to have it by 2013,'' Braid said. "It's now becoming quite a firm option. We showed the concept at the Melbourne motor show last year and the feedback we got was very positive.''TEST DRIVEDuring a flying visit to Sweden this week we had a quick spin in a pre-production version of the hybrid at Volvo's proving ground outside Gothenberg. Performance is strong, particuarly in power mode and the car is nicely balanced.This is despite the extra weight of the electric motor, batteries and other equipment that add more than 300kg to the kerb weight. The batteries by the way are hidden under the luggage compartment floor, requiring the floor to be raised by 60mm. The result is less luggage space - 305 litres compared with 430 in the standard wagon.With no room for a spare because of the batteries a reinflation kit is supplied in the event of a flat tyre. Production of the hybrid wagon is due to start in earnest in November, with an initial run of 1000 cars. By the end of next year, however, the hybrid is expected to account for 10-15 per cent of production.Volvo V60 D6 AWD Diesel HybridPrice:  $75,000 - $100,000 (etimated)Engine: 2.4-litre turbodiesel 5-cylinder; 160kW/440Nm + electric motor 50kW/200NmAcceleration: 0 to 100km/h: 6.2 secondsTransmission: 6-speed automatic: AWDThirst: 1.9 L/100km

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011 Volvo XC90 as a used buy.

You’ve heard about car names with unfortunate meanings in other languages, and it's still amusing to recall that Holden sold a Nova, which means "Doesn't go'' in Spanish, and that Mitsubishi went in for self-abuse with the most notorious example of all: the Pajero.It's delightful to come across an outfit that has stared the double entendre in the face and refused to blink. Meet Polestar, a Swedish workshop that turns Volvos into race cars. Recently it has applied its spanners to production cars, and the first one available is the S60 Polestar.VALUEI was surprised by the price. The S60 T6 starts at $64,990 and with R-Design trim previously topped out at $72,990. Effectively, the Polestar is a chipped engine and fancy wheels for another 10 grand. Once you're up at that level, German six-cylinders are almost within reach.TECHNOLOGYThe S60 Polestar is based on the S60 T6 junior exec, sedan or wagon, kitted out with Volvo's R-Design racy treatment. Polestar's main contribution is engine management software that turns up the turbocharger on the straight six.The outcome is 18kW more power, for 242kW, and 40Nm more torque, for 480Nm. That slices 0.3 seconds off its sprint to 100km/h to make it a sub six-second car. In other words, respectably rapid. There are quad exhausts at the rear, alongside a special diffuser and diamond cut 19-inch alloys, which will look terrific until they get kerbed.DESIGNIn a lot of respects, the car is identical to the R-Design version, with the same lowered and stiffened suspension. You also get sports seats in a grippy synthetic, coloured dials, shiny pedals and an attractive, if still a bit large, steering wheel.So the go-fast trim is restrained, and the result is a cabin as sensible as it usually is from Volvo, with a few reservations. The rear headrests and wide C-pillars, for example, get in the way of rear vision. The cabin is a metaphor for the car. If you buy this expecting precision performance, you'll be disappointed. It's a Volvo with more performance, but still a Volvo.Dynamically, it can't escape the handicap of an engine layout that is all wrong for quick cornering. The six-cylinder is slung out in front of the front axle and oriented east-west. So when you tip it into a bend, the suspension is trying to control a big lump of metal that straddles the centre-line of the car. The result is that you're never entirely sure where and when it's going to settle.DRIVINGVolvo has worked hard to overcome this problem, and surprisingly the Polestar doesn't understeer wildly, as physics suggests it should. It's benign, but uninspiring.The steering doesn't help. It has never been a Volvo strong point, but here it feels out of character with the ability of the driveline. It's doughy and slow, with a tendency to weight up oddly, and with this rubber, follow the road surface. It would have benefited from a little of Polestar's racing expertise.The engine itself delivers strong performance and the throttle is very direct. Despite this, if you are at the wrong place on the rev range, power delivery can fall in a hole. Sometimes this is no more than momentary turbo lag, as the air pump catches up with the engine speed. But I wondered whether the transmission had been retuned for the extra power because on a few occasions the two were singing from different hymn sheets.VERDICTOne omission here is paddle-shifters. If you want to self-shift, it's by the gear lever. Some of the changes make things worse. Those thin tyres mean a nobbly ride and the wheels thump down hard into potholes. Over many surfaces, there's too much road roar. The tuned S60 is respectably rapid, but the price seems hefty.Volvo S60 PolestarPrice: From $82,990Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbocharged 242kW/480NmTransmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel driveThirst: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

I've been driving so many Volvos lately I might start wearing a hat and speaking Swedish with a Chinese accent. Aside from those afflictions it's not been too bad.This "Swedish Valiant" is the V60 D3 wagon, a bull-nosed sharp-looking family hauler that looks nothing like the old Volvo wagons that were around when I was growing up .... I mean, when I was younger.VALUEThe V60 D3 Teknik model is by no means a bargain-basement load-lugger, given that it's priced from $62,490, a $4500 hike above the base D3. The Teknik extras include the satellite navigation system, Active Bending Lights with Headlight wash system, the BLIS blind spot warning system, a power-adjustable passenger seat and an upgrade to the instrumentation to a "watch-dial" - I thought watches were Swiss?The Teknik model has leather trim, power-adjustable front seats, a flat-folding front seat and a rear splitfold seat, filtered dual-zone climate control with rear B-pillar vents, power windows and rear privacy window tint. The V60 gets a cruise control that pops up a digital speed when set, but there's no digital speed readout for normal driving - why?There's also rain-sensing wipers but no dusk-sensing headlights (despite appearing on cheaper, lower-spec Volvos?), rear parking sensors, an electric park brake, an auto-dipping rearview mirror and a trip computer. There's a Bluetooth link for the phone and sound system (which argues with iPhone 4's iPod when USB cable is also in use) and folding external mirrors.TECHNOLOGYThere's no shortage of new technology in this car's arsenal, but most of it is safety-related - but the new D3 does get a two-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel engine that produces 120kW and 400Nm, the latter between 1500 and 2750rpm, to shunt the wagon along at a solid rate.Like it's low-pressure turbo petrol cousins, the engine has something of a hair-trigger accelerator but the mid-range is considerable and solid pace is maintained without massive throttle openings.Teamed with a six-speed automatic, the V60 front-wheel drive claims 6l/100km (rising to 8.3 around town and down to a remarkable 4.7 on the highway) - our time had it sipping at 8l/100km from a 67.5 litre tank, giving it an easy range of well over 800km. The Swedish wagon also has a brake energy regeneration technology and a maintenance-free exhaust particle filter.DESIGNAs is fast becoming the case around the globe, the humble wagon, for all its practicality, needs to look like something else. The V60 takes plenty from swoopier sports coupes in terms of its external lines, while attempting to retain the mundane abilities of shopping, commuting and doing the school run.It largely succeeds, as this is not an unattractive car, but it's also not a pretty machine either.Inside, the Swedish design makes for a functional interior, without the austere flavour that invades some German cockpits. The menu functions are largely straightforward and it has clever touches - the two-stage booster seats for the two outboard children in the back, pushing the kids up to the appropriate height, although a little more lateral support wouldn't go astray.The rear doors and windows can also be locked by the driver with the push of one button - no early exits and no window races. The 692-litre boot is a useful size, with a clever floor for separating and securing loads - there's also underfloor storage, but sadly that has come at the expense of a spare wheel - there's only a mobility kit.SAFETYThe brand is one of the automotive world's safety leaders and the V60 has plenty of gear as a result - there's a five-star NCAP rating to show for that, thanks to a safety-conscious body structure, dual front, front side and full-length curtain airbags, as well as pre-tensioner-equipped seatbelt for all five occupants, while the front two have load-limiters as well.The sub-30km/h accident-avoidance City Safety system is standard fare, with adaptive brake lights, stability and traction control and anti-lock brakes also among its features. Clever little touches include the park brake that won't automatically kick off with a prod of the throttle without the driver's seatbelt being in place.DRIVINGThere's no need for hats in these things - unless it's a baseball cap that may or may not be on backwards. The V60 is quiet from within - although the odd engine note on the outside is certainly a diesel - but getting underway is far from a laborious chore, as once pressure in the turbo has built, the wagon is well underway.It's not going to frighten the big petrol turbos in the Volvo range but it's far from tardy, with solid in-gear progress as well. The automatic is not as slick between ratios as the twin-clutch transmission available elsewhere, but it works well make the most of the torque, just don't bother trying to manual-change - it cruises at 100-110km/h just below 2000rpm and is quiet when doing so.The back-road blast factor is better than you'd think, with plenty of pep on offer for the right foot, good body control and a nose that doesn't feel weighed down by the diesel, just don't ask for too much information through the steering. The seating is comfortable but when pressing ahead it could do with more lateral support, front and rear - the rear occupants have enough headroom but legroom is at a premium, unless the front pews are well forward.Only a few complaints with the V60 - ride is on the firm side and there are no automatic headlights; the Bluetooth audio link kept trying to over-rule the USB cable and the blindspot information system flashed a few times during heavy rain.VERDICTAnyone tired of the choice of German, German or German in the compact prestige wagon market has a worthy contender from the Swedish brand. The V60 D3 gets plenty of points for its useful and frugal drivetrain and for being that little bit different, but doesn't score well given the lack of a spare and having a rear seat that's a little tight for legroom. Parents with young kids will love it but those looking to use the rear seat for adults will want to be below-average height.WE LOVEFrugal and punchy powerplant, clever floor, integrated booster seats, sound system, safety gear, competent handling WE  LOATHE  rear 3/4 vision, rear leg room, no spare tyre, no auto headlights, front wheel drive with all that torque.Volvo V60 D3 TeknikPrice: from $62,490Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kilometreResale: 44% Source: Glass's GuideService Interval: 15,000km or 12-monthsEconomy: 6 l/100km, on test 8, tank 67.5 l; 160g/km CO2Equipment: six airbags, ABS, EBD, stability control.Crash rating: 5 starEngine: 120kW/400Nm two-litre five-cylinder DOHC 20-valve turbodiesel engineTransmission: six-speed auto, front wheel driveBody: 5-door, 5 seats Dimensions: 4628mm (L); 1865mm (W); 1484mm (H); 2776mm (WB)Weight: 1601kgTyre Size: 235/40 R18Spare: Space saver

I hated school. All I learned was that the meek shall inherit the earth, great things come in small packages and Volvo's are boxy and boring. Oh, and pie-ar-squared is 3.14. That stuff is either wrong or useless. Especially the bit about the Volvo, though in the case of the S60 T4, perhaps the small-engined version is something great in a small package. The T4 will shatter generations of ideals based on the formula that engine capacity equals performance.Volvo isn't alone on this thought - see what Ford, Mercedes and Volkswagen Group are doing - but there's no argument that this 1.6-litre petrol-fuelled mid-size S60 sedan is almost the perfect car, blending economy with excellent cabin space, top-notch build quality and safety, lots of features within a pretty body design, and is even sporty. Stick that in your classroom.VALUEA Swedish car for $48,990 is pretty attractive. Even though the car's made in Belgium and Volvo is owned by Geely of China, the S60 is heavily ingrained with Swedish fanatical attention to detail, ergonomic simplicity, harmonious styling and durable engineering. But no sense of humour, of course.The hardest bit here is trying to find rivals that have the same mix of style, features, performance, quality and safety. Goodies include City Safety (see safety section below), leather, quality audio, Bluetooth, alloy wheels and so on. It's even a great drive.DESIGNThe S60 looks compact yet is actually relatively roomy and manages to look distinctive on the road. In fact, its styling adds a few thousand dollars to the actual price. Cabin treatment is as subtle yet elegant as Ikea loungeroom furniture - but you don't have to assemble it yourself - with an uncomplicated switchgear design that doesn't confuse the driver.The S60 seats five adults - with only tall people objecting to the headroom of the rear seat - with a large boot. Unfortunately it does n't have a spare wheel which takes off a lot of bonus points.TECHNOLOGYThe big one is the drivetrain, with the tiny 1.6-litre shared with Ford Focus (in Europe) under the EcoBoost name and delivering a hefty 132kW/240Nm. It is the sister of the 2-litre EcoBoost also used in Volvos and Fords and, in its smallest guise, is just as impressive.The little four drives a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (also used by Ford) which delivers quick, seamless upshifts that ensures little momentum is lost between the cogs. Works beautifully.SAFETYVolvo's acclaimed City Safety - which is now being copied or being bought by other carmakers - is a boon for motorists and insurance companies. Just don't hold your breath for a big premium reduction. It works by cameras and radar to detect an object in front of the car.At speeds of up to about 30km/h, it will automatically brake the car before it hits any object, such as in a traffic queue. This goes with a five-star crash rating, lots of anti-slip and stability control systems, and six airbags. It's what you expect from Volvo.DRIVINGLove that engine. Despite its size, it's not a revver and has plenty of strong low-end torque. The six gears also help. The dual-clutch does have its moments when it gets lost between ratios so, to maximise performance end ensure the engine stays on heat, it's best to manually use the gearshifter.So it's surprisingly quick and delivers almost sporty performance that's matched by a subtle exhaust growl. The front-drive layout doesn't detract from handling, either, with precise cornering feel and a nice, flat cornering stance. Matched to that is the comfort of the wide, leather-trimmed seats and the ergonomic driving position. Rear parking sensors are standard and vital given the shape of the boot.VERDICTSmall works so well in this car that unless you regularly cart lots of people or tow a boat, it's a better bet than the 2-litre T5 version of the same car. Nice $3000 saving, too.VOLVO S60 T4Price: $48,990Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmResale: 56%Service Interval: 15,000km or 12 monthsEconomy: 7.4 l/100km; 173g/km CO2Safety Equipment: six airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC.Crash rating: 5 starEngine: 132kW/240Nm 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrolTransmission: Six-speed dual-clutch autoBody: 4-door, 5 seatsDimensions: 4628 (L); 1865mm (W); 1484mm (H); 2776mm (WB)Weight: 1495kgTyre size: 235/45R17Spare tyre: none

We turn the spotlight on automotive's newest and brightest stars, as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. Ultimately, however, there is only one question that really needs answering  would you buy one?What is it?This is the latest and greatest from Volvo, a compact wagon with cutting-edge safety equipment and enough get up and go to stay with some of the heavy hitters. It sells against a group of European prestige wagons that come nowhere near the T6 in terms of power, torque or performance let alone standard kit.How much?This particular car tops out the V60 range at $72,150 but is super competitive against potential competition especially when you compare apples with apples. The nearest competitor is Audi's A4 Avant 2.0-TFSI quattro at practically the same money.What are the competitors?Coming from all quarters including the Mercedes-Benz C-Class CGi250 Estate, the BMW 323i wagon, the aforementioned Audi and even Alfa's Sportwagon 159.What's under the bonnet?Gets a 3.0-litre, twin turbo, petrol straight six-cylinder with new low friction internals and 224kW/440Nm output - a sweet donk with an excellent note.How does it go?Like a shot putting away a 0-100kmh sprint in a mere 6.2 seconds (not bad for a wagon tipping the scales at roughly 1800kg) and there is never a point when the engine doesn't deliver. Spins willingly to the 7000rpm redline, pulls like a locomotive everywhere. Smooth shifting six-speed auto. Fun to drive.Is it economical?Can be if you switch on the cruise control - down as low as 8.0-litres/100km on a trip. Claimed combined average is 10.3-litres/100km, a figure we wouldn't dispute.Is it `Green?'Engine passes stringent Euro 5 emissions regulations - due here in a few years. Interior is hypoallergenic so bad chemicals are minimised. We'd say it has five star green credentials.Is it safe?Best in the business, a roaring five star car.Is it comfortable?Firm suspension but not too firm, comfy seats, smooth, quite, plenty of luxury kit especially with R-Design spec'. Killer audio, leather upholstery, electric assistance, electric park brake, heated seats.What's it like to drive?Loved it especially on our favourite winding road - quick, confident, stable, precise. Impressive power from raunchy engine but expect to pay at the bowser when you turn up the wick. We engaged Sport mode all the time - because we could.Is it value for money?Against the competition, definitely. Not too much tax to pay - a bit of Luxury Car Tax, GST and Stamp Duty clicks the numbers up pretty quickly but you get a lot of car for the money.Would we buy one?Yes, impressed the heck out of everyone who drove or rode in it and the sexy coupe looks adds to the allure.