Volvo Reviews

It ran a close second in the 2011 Carsguide Car Of The Year contest which shouldn't have surprised anyone in the know. Volvo's S60 T4, the base model S60 (from $48,990), is a quality medium size sedan with strong performance and plenty of kit - oh, an it looks pretty hot too."Only" a 1.6-litre, turbo four cylinder  -- with variable cam timing and direct fuel injection which makes it good for 132Kw/240Nm. This translates into a highly satisfactory drive feel with plenty of poke underfoot and excellent roll on acceleration from speed. It also means the T4 sips fuel at around 7.2-litres/100km. The engine is smooth and quiet offering near silent highway cruising. It prefers premium unleaded but will run without protest on the low grade stuff. The thing that really makes the T4 is its six-speed dual-clutch "manumatic" transmission offering rapid fire gear changes that are barely perceptible. Plenty but also plenty of options if you want to exercise your writing hand. As it stands you get leather upholstery, excellent audio, Bluetooth, pollen filter, heated seats, multi function trip computer, cruise, wheel controls and push button start/stop (which we could do without - unnecessary).Gets a five star rating but goes well and truly above and beyond the call of duty with clever stuff like City Safety. And if you have a sneezy disposition, the entire car is made with hypoallergenic materials.This is the final T4 instalment as it goes home soon but the experience has been illuminating convincing us that you don't need a large or even medium capacity engine to get strong performance. The 1.6 in the T4 is a crackerjack offering performance that won't disappoint even enthusiastic drivers and then rewards backs up with light fuel consumption.The audio in this car is not intuitive and some might find it a challenge to use. Simple dials are a better bet we reckon. The boot is large, the cabin is roomy and it looks great.Volkswagen's impressive Passat 118TSi is a direct competitor - at a lower price but it doesn't quite have the same "cache" as the S40.

Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI and Volvo V60 D3 go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Audi Q5 2.0 TDI and Volvo XC60 D5 Teknik go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Just because I'm thinning of follicles and on the other side of 40, doesn't mean I have to start driving Volvos - but the new V60 is one you actually don't mind driving.Having grown up driving the shovel-nosed Swedish Valiants (bless Dick Johnson and his mid-race Bathurst comments), I'm familiar with the boxy, safety conscious history of the brand.Once it would have been almost obligatory to trade in something that drivers would enjoy steering for the safe, secure Swedish family transport, but this new-generation Volvo wagon bears little resemblance to its forebears, thankfully.VALUEThe V60 model range kicks off in the car on test, the T5, which starts on the yard with a $54,950 pricetag. That gets a two-litre direct-injection turbo four that produces 177kW and 320Nm under the more sculpted snout - more than enough to see off its direct price competitors.Features on offer in the entry-level V60 include a good-quality eight-speaker sound system with wheel-mounted controls and USB/MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth phone link, power-adjustable driver's seat, leather seat trim and gearshifter, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dipping centre rear vision mirror, rear parking sensors, trip computer and cruise control (also with wheel controls).The absence of automatic headlights is odd (given the availability on lesser models) but the headlights have an auto-off function, allowing the lights to be left on - yet another safety tick that harks back to the old-style Volvo running lights.TECHNOLOGYThe heart of the V60 is an all-alloy two-litre 16-variable-valve turbo engine with direct injection - not uncommon now - but the company is claiming a world-first turbocharger housing and manifold made of sheet steel (the material also used for the exhaust manifold) rather than cast iron. The powerplant is teamed with a double-clutch "Powershift" six-speed automatic that slips cleanly between cogs although sometimes it's not as quick as you'd expect from this type of transmission.DESIGNThe new-look Volvos offer a striking exterior for the right reasons - a far cry from the flying bricks of the 1970s and 1980s, with stumpy overhangs, a strong shoulder line and a slightly aggressive road presence. The cabin is functional and flexible, with 430 litres of loadspace (to a maximum of 1241 litres when the 40/20/40 split-fold rear seat is folded flat) and clever features including one-touch child door and window locks and the in-built boosters for the outboard rear seats.SAFETYThe Swedish brand (now Chinese-owned) has become synonymous with safety and it's no different with the V60. The company has put the active safety systems within the central infotainment screen, which makes switching off the stability control a more involved process and as a result you're less likely to do it - score one for safety there.The V60 has City Safety (the low-speed accident avoidance system), as well as anti-lock brakes (with the emergency brake assistance and brakeforce distribution systems), stability control, dual front and front-side airbags, full-length curtain airbags among the safety features. There are also pyrotechnic seatbelt pretensioners front and rear and the driver is alerted to which seatblets are in use.Optional safety features abound when skimming through the pricelist - adaptive cruise control and a collision warning system with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian sensing ability adds $4175. The lane departure alert pushes the pricetag up to $2075 and the blind spot warning system - fitted to the test car - adds a further $1275.DRIVINGThe switch from S60 to V60 was a pleasant change - in many ways the wagon is preferable to the sedan and some of the more expensive V60 variants. The new turbo powerplant is almost spirited - revving freely and showing a willingness to work with the six-speed auto to good effect.Lined up against similarly priced rivals, the fuel use is a little higher but the performance in areas like open-road overtaking is better. Press-ahead driving is not beyond the T5 (the T6 is quicker in a straight-line) and its suprisingly capable of punching out of corners without masses of squirming torque-steer coming through the steering.It's not going to poach people from the T6 R-Design sport wagon but swifter progress is achievable. There is a manual shift option on offer to the driver but given it's able to be over-ridden by the car you're better off in D. Completing general duties, the V60 T5 doesn't lay claim to acres of space but parents and a couple of offpsring are comfortably encased within the Volvo, although the ride is on the firm side and not quite what you'd call supple. It is well-set-up for children in the back seat with built-in boosters and one-touch window and door locks. The climate control system is clever - the test car had the optional "Clean Zone" air quality system that vents the stale cabin air on unlock. The rain-sensing wipers (on this and other Volvos recently driven) were prone to false-wipes of a dry windscreen; something it seems was due to sunlight at odd angles tripping the sensors.VERDICTThe Swedish brand has well and truly put itself back in the hunt for more sales volume in this prestige wagon segment. The V60 T5 wagon has the looks, safety gear and cabin flexibility to give its (predominantly more-expensive German) rivals a hard time, as well as some heartburn in the performance stakes. The staid and stodgy image of its forebears is fading and this newest addition to the Volvo line-up will only accelerate that "hat-wearing Volvo driver" concept's passage into automotive history.VOLVO V60 T5 Price: from $54,950 (as tested $60,295)Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmResale: 68%Service Interval: 15,000km or 12-monthsEconomy: 8.7l/100km, on test 12.3l/100km, tank 68 l; 205g/km CO2Safety: six airbags, ABS, stability control.Crash rating: 5 star Euro NCAPEngine: 177kW/320Nm 2-litre 16-valve DOHC direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinderTransmission: six-speed auto, front-wheel driveBody: 5-door, 5 seats Dimensions: 4628mm (L); 1865mm (W); 1484mm (H); 2776mm (WB)Weight: 1568kgTyre size: 215/50 R17Spare tyre: mobility kit

You've got to hand it to Volvo they are producing some very desireable cars these days. The five-seat, mid-sized XC60 off roader is Volvo's top-selling model in this country and it's not difficult to see why. It looks good, goes well and excellent value for the money, with lots of built in safety features.VALUELeather and climate controlled airconditioning are standard, along with auto lights and wipers, power operated front seats, rear parking sensors and a power-operated tailgate. The latter might sound like overkill, but once you have had one you won't want to give it back.Other features include swivel headlights, with wash system and Bluetooth has been updated to include audio streaming, with an eight-speaker audio, with a 7 inch colour monitor and DVD player. Prices for XC60 start at $54,990, while the D5 Teknik model is priced from $65,990.TECHNOLOGY The 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel engine has undergone significant upgrades for 2012. These changes have increased power form 151kW to 158kW while torque jumps 20Nm to 440Nm (same torque output as the top of the line turbocharged T6). Despite the increase in both power and torque, fuel consumption has been improved by 10 per cent  now 6.9 litres/100km. CO2 emissions have dropped from 201g/km to 183g/km. The improvements are the result of a lighter crankshaft and camshafts. The impeller in the coolant pump has been redesigned and contributes to reduced fuel consumption.ECONOMY The turbo diesel is paired with a 6-speed Geatronic auto with the option to change gears manually. Claimed fuel economy has improved from 7.1 to 6.9 litres/100km. With a 70 litre fuel tank that gives it a range of just over 1000km. We were averaging 8.5 litres/100km over 700km. The reduction in fuel consumption means that diesel models qualify as low emission vehicles and benefit from the recent changes to the Luxury Car Tax which has brought the price down.SAFETY The XC60 earns a maximum five stars for safety and now boasts a rear reversing camera standard equipment. It comes with a full compliment of active safety systems, including City Safe which is designed to help prevent rear-enders by automatically applying the brakes if a collision is imminent. Blind spot awareness cameras are also fitted as standard with this model.VOLVO SC60 D5 TEKNIKPrice: $65,990Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited kmService: 12 months/15,000kmResale: 55 per centEngine: 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel, 158kW/440NmEconomy: 6.9L/100kmTransmission: 6-speed automaticCO2: 183g/kmSafety: 5-star rating, 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC BODY 5-door, 5-seatDimensions: 4628mm (L), 1891mm (W), 1672 (H), 2774 (WB), 230 (Clearance) WEIGHT 1819kgWheels: 7.5 x 17"

When I was growing up we had a few Volvos - big, square-jawed "Swedish Valiants" with big bumpers and little four-cylinder engines that worked hard to get the sedans from A to B in reasonable time. Fast-forward to present day and I'm back in a Volvo - the greenie version of the little C30 hatch, the DRIVe turbodiesel manual - that drivetrain doesn't sound thrilling, but it's not a horror story.VALUEThe little Swede is a four seater priced from $36,990 - smack dab in the middle of Prius territory but more than the similarly-aimed $28,990 Golf Bluemotion.The C30 features list has cloth trim, dual-zone climate control, manually-adjustable front seats and a 50/50 splitfold set-up for the rear, front power windows (the rears are fixed, which was not popular), cruise control, rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rearvision mirror, a trip computer, Bluetooth phone and audio link for the eight-speaker USB/auxiliary equipped sound system.There's also power-adjustable folding mirrors (with handy puddle lamps), a leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for sound and cruise functions, a leather-wrapped gearshift and 16in alloy wheels (but no spare).TECHNOLOGYThere's a long list of bits designed to reduce fuel use, starting with a stop-start fuel-saving system - in neutral with the left foot off the clutch the car it turns itself off, re-starting (with something of a shake, rattle and roll) when the clutch pedal heads back towards the firewall.Volvo claims the idle-stop system can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by between 4 and 8 per cent, depending on driving conditions.The DRIVe also features a regenerative braking system to charge the car's battery on deceleration - Volvo says there's another two or three per cent fuel saving there.The little 1.6-litre turbocharged common-rail direct-injection four-cylinder variable-geometry turbodiesel has had an upgrade - 84kW of power at 3600rpm and 240Nm of torque (between 1750 - 2500 rpm) - to lay claim to 3.9 litres per 100km on the combined fuel economy cycle, suggesting a range of more than 1300km from the 52-litre tank.DESIGNThe C30 design has been around for more than a couple of years but the little turbodiesel model has a few extra bits to reduce its thirst. The hatch has a wind-deflecting pane behind the grille, a rear spoiler, diffuser-equipped rear bumper, wind deflectors ahead of the front wheels, underbody aerodynamic changes and low rolling resistance Michelin tyres.The cabin is snug but not uncomfortably so, the four individual seats are reasonably supportive - there's aluminium trim bits and leather on the wheel and the gearshift and it has a few neat little storage spaces. The boot is useful - if not huge - at 233 litres, rising to 876 litres with the back seats folded.SAFETYVolvo has long been synonymous with safety and the little 'un is not exceptions - five stars from the NCAP crash test program, with six airbags (front, front-side and curtain), stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes and rear parking sensors. There's also something of a throwback to Volvos of olde - daytime running lights - although the 21st century has brought LED technology into play.DRIVINGLittle diesels can be fun and the Europeans are regularly giving us reasons to believe.Volvo's C30 DRIVe is not the most powerful but it is more than serviceable in day to day traffic, although this auto-addicted market won't see it sell to the masses.An auto is coming but anyone capable of operating a clutch pedal will enjoy zipping up and down the cogs and surfing the solid surge - although it's not impossible to stall it - but 11.3 seconds to 100km/h is a bit of a dawdle.Short-shifting through to fifth or sixth is easily done and at the end of our time with the C30, the trip computer suggested it was sipping at 5.8 litres per 100km from the 52-litre tank.A brisk hills drive showed the C30 has a more-than competent chassis in the bends, without crowding the sportier C30 models.Ride quality is not this car's main claim to fame but it does the job - Volvo are getting better at the ride handling compromise but it's not a done deal.VERDICTIf you want something stylish and frugal then the C30 is worth considering - it's not the cheapest of the little Euro-diesels with the best of intentions for fuel economy and emissions, but the little Swede goes it's own way and that may hold some appeal.VOLVO C30 DRIVEPrice: from $36,990Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmResale: 54% Source: Glass's GuideService interval: 15,000km or 12-monthsEconomy: 3.9 l/100km, on test 5.8, tank 52 litres; 104g/km CO2Safety equipment: six airbags, ABS, EBD, stability controlCrash rating: 5 starEngine: 84kW/270Nm 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve common-rail direct-injection turbodiesel four-cylinder, with a stop-start fuel-saver system and diesel particulate filter.Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel driveBody: 2-door, 4 seatsDimensions: 4266mm (L); 1782mm (W); 1447mm (H); 2640mm (WB)Weight: 1354kgTyres: size 205/55R16, no spare - tyre mobility kit.

Station wagons - as Australians term sedans with a bum - are becoming sexy. The Europeans and the Japanese knew this but we weren't listening.We were too wrapped up in the sugar-coated gloss of all things American, a place at the centre of the universe where only Moms piloted family wagons while Pa was seen in something snappier.Well, for those left a bit jaded by SUVs and still want a bit more room for hauling stuff like garage sale bargains, mud-caked mountain bikes or Fido the Fluffy, there's a growing list of sharp-edged station wagons that won't turn you into Mrs Cunningham.The Volvo V60 here is a stunner - both in looks and how it functions. I didn't want to get out of it and neither did the wife nor the kids. How's that - a wagon that doesn't embarrass children.VALUEAs a Euro-built wagon, you can put it against similar haulers such as the Volkswagen Passat ($40,990), a Skoda Superb ($40,990), BMW 3-Series (320i from $59,300) and Audi A4 Avant for $57,900. It's $54,950 price slots right in here and though the Passat and Skoda clearly appears to be the value winner, accept the fact that the Volvo is quicker, has more features and until the new Passat wagon arrives, is prettier.It has more features for your bucks than the BMW and Audi and entices prospective wagon owners to looks to Japan for even better value - but arguably less panache - at Mazda and Subaru. There's also very good value and quality at Skoda, so competition is keener than you may first believe.DESIGNSleek, wedge-nosed and almost seductive with its chamfered tail, it is a car that - like the C30 coupe - is as far away from what a Volvo used to be as possible. The good thing is that it all works. Perhaps the only downside is the invisible grille - a common problem - which may make the $325 front park sensor option a good deal.TECHNOLOGYBig news is the same 2-litre engine that will, later this year, be an option in the Ford Falcon. The four-cylinder, direct-injection turbo-petrol is rated at 177kW/320Nm and claims 8.3 l/100km and 194g/km CO2, though city/suburb/highway on test wouldn't get better than 10 l/100km.It's a great engine mated to one of the industry's best dual-clutch transmissions - one that doesn't hiccup and lag and pause and die when you hit the loud pedal, as some Volkswagen Group models tend to do. These oily bits bolt to a delightful chassis that loves a fast run through winding roads as much as a leisurely cruise down the highway. The mind-numbing crawl down the freeway is helped only by a decent audio system.Things that matter include the two flip-up child booster seats within the rear seat. There's two heights so children have a view out the windows. Safety gear is excellent but there's still no spare wheel as standard. A space-saver tyre is optional and bolts on top of the cargo floor where it eats into available luggage space.SAFETYHard to go past this one. Standard gear includes a full complement of airbags, a five-star crash rating, clever electronic stability control, big four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and City Safety - the radar-sensor system that automatically brakes the car at low speeds to prevent rolling into the back of another car or into your garage door.DRIVINGThe V60 puts the exhilaration of driving ahead of carrying loads of gear. If you want cargo room, buy Volvo's bigger V70. Even driving down the street, feeling the way the transmission's cogs replace each other so quickly, hints at how responsive the wagon is to a driver's demands.It constantly feels like a dog on a leash and that's a big change for a carmaker often accused of being safety-driven masters of lethargy. But it's not only the way the V60 responds. It feels good from the driver's seat. It has a simple, Ikea-like simplicity but you can see it has lots of features. It is quiet and comfortable and feels rock solid - all inspiring confidence which makes it a car to at least consider for the family. As I said, it's a car I always felt safe and comfortable in and never tired of enjoying how it performs.VERDICT One of the better wagons on the market that is a must-see for families as much as for the person who enjoys to drive. The S60 sedan has the same qualities.VOLVO V60 T5Price: $54,950Warranty: 3 years, 100,000km, roadside assistResale: 65%Service Interval: 15,000km or 12 monthsEconomy: 8.7 l/100km; 205g/km CO2Safety: six airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC.Crash rating: 5 starEngine: 177kW/320Nm 2-litre turbo-petrolTransmission: Six-speed dual-clutch autoBody: 5-door, 5 seatsDimensions: 4628 (L); 1865mm (W); 1484mm (H); 2776mm (WB)Weight: 1653kgTyre size: 235/45R17Spare tyre: None

Volvo's handsome S60 has shifted the Swedish automaker up a cog in a number of areas - style, value, safety and performance.But the latter got a real boost following the arrival this week of a special, locally-fettled S60 T6 model called the Polestar.COMPETITIVEIt's a funny name derived from a company connected through motorsport to Volvo for decades. Polestar is in the box seat to provide guidance on performance models that allows Volvo to "compete'' with AMG and M Sport enhanced cars from Benz and BMW.The S60 Polestar doesn't face-off with the Benz C63AMG or the BMW M3 in outright hard-edged performance terms. It's not far behind though being more of a grand touring vehicle with an easy to drive feel (at half the price). The initial Polestar run is limited to 50 vehicles priced from $82,990 - a ten grand premium over the S60 T6.LOCAL EFFORTThe Polestar "brand'' is likely to be introduced on other models in the local Volvo lineup and is under close scrutiny from Volvo head office in Sweden which is likely to pinch the idea if it's successful here.THE PACKAGEThe Polestar car gets some cool kit with gorgeous 19-inch Heico alloys fitted with ultra low profile rubber and there's a stainless Heico quad outlet exhaust with tuned sports note. The turbo, 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, petrol engine's control computer is re-chipped to deliver more power and torque rated at 242kW/480Nm. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 10.2-litres/100km.The upgrade is carried out in Sydney at Volvo Australia headquarters and the Polestar has full factory warranty and maintains a standard factory service schedule. The new engine program delivers a mountain of torque (grunt) from low in the engine rev range and into the mid-range.EQUIPMENTBeing based on the T6 means the Polestar scores a heavy inventory of safety equipment - and all wheel drive through a six-speed automatic transmission from Japanese manufacturer Aisin.The dynamic package remains the same as the T6 model. A range of settings is available to the driver through "My Car'' on the trip computer. Inside is a sea of leather and metallic fascia with a comfy seats, easy to use controls and a modern design. There are seats for four, five at a pinch and a decent boot.THE DRIVEWe had a real good go at the Polestar covering some 300km of mixed urban, freeway and country roads. It's a rapid piece of kit for sure, hitting hard off idle and ripping through the mid engine speeds like a sprinter.But in deference to everyday driving requirements, it buttons off a tad approaching peak revs. So the focus is more on mid-range response for overtaking and such like. It is super quick in this area blasting past slow vehicles in a blink. The suspension is sporty firm but not too jiggly and we liked the steering which offers sharp responses.The auto worked best in normal D mode because it hunts a tad in the sport mode. No wheel paddles are fitted which is a bummer because it means you have to take your left hand off the wheel to sequentially change gears using the stick shift. A small annoyance.VERDICTImpressive effort from Volvo. A seriously quick car at a sharp price. Looks the business, safe, stylish, well equipped, an engaging drive.  They should do a wagon version too.VOLVO S60 T6 POLESTARPrice: $82,990Warranty: 3 years unlimitedResale: 44 per centCrash Rating: Five starsEngine: 3.0-litre tutrbo inline six; 242kW/480NmBody: four door five seats Dimensions: 4628mm (L); 1865 (width); 1484 (h); 2776 (wb)Weight: 1684kgTransmission: Six-speed automatic; AWDEconomy: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

I did so want to believe the soon to be sole surviving Swedish carmaker was sponsoring the star turn of a Stockholm gentlemen's club.Yet while the model's designation might make for base humour, this limited edition sports tourer is no laughing matter. The meekest throttle opening makes that abundantly apparent. Polestar is Volvo's motorsport and performance partner.This house of fast cars (not fast women) has devised the software solution by which the already impressive 3.0-litre inline turbo six of the S60 becomes weapons grade.While there's but 50 to be had, a positive reception all but guarantees further such gambits from Volvo Australia. We wager this is a cert.VALUEAt $82,990, the Polestar carries no slight premium over the T6 with an R-Design kit and sports suspension. Essentially the extra $10k gets bespoke wheel/tyres, computerised zap, diffuser and exhaust. But in addition to this and the un-Germanly high spec of the T6, the Polestar brings the allure of virtual uniqueness. Volvo undertake to protect the investment by resisting the temptation to bring in more of this edition.Each is individually numbered and further distinguished by a discreet but distinctive Polestar badge hard by the R-Design logo. It's a subtle, desirable addition to a car that scarcely lacks on-road presence, an aspect enhanced by 19-inch Heico alloys around which are wrapped 254/35 Pirelli P Zeros with a ride height dopped by  by 15mm.DESIGNVolvo having mercifully dispensed with the "a bit naughty" ad campaign, we can now enjoy the lines of arguably the handsomest four door on the road free of the compulsion to grind teeth and clench fists.If it's true certain Asian auto house designers don't so much as sharpen a pencil until they've got an eyeful of the latest wares of their Euro contemporaries (and let's face it, they don't), it'll be treat to see affordable renderings of this distinctive sedan.Captivating enough unenhanced, the S60 appears full of intent and even predatory with the R-Design/Polestar treatment. It's in the eye of the beholder, to be sure, but do make mine white. Within all seats, particularly those up front manage the rare feat of being both supportive through bends and comfortbale over the long haul.TECHNOLOGYThis is a tuning package, Volvo are at pains to emphasize, that is not achieved via a chip not a plug in nor by any means of the tuner's dark art. Rather it's a bespoke software application that boosts the blown inline six's already formidable output by 18kW and 40Nm to a blistering 242kW/480Nm. That's better than the recently discarded V8 of the bigger S80 saloon.This is got to the road in an orderly and effective fashion via a six-speed Aisin torque converter auto (there being no in-house twin clutch transmission to handle all this twist) and an on-demand all-wheel-drive that kicks at 1/16th of a rotation variation in wheel speeds. Effectively that's instantaneous.SAFETYToo often Volvo road tests read like a cut and paste of the safety spec, so volumous is aspect. We'll spare you that, save to once more enthuse about the effectiveness of the Volvo's blind spot warning system and, in this instance patricularly, superb brakes that have cosiderable bite without breaking the ABS barrier.Almost equally reptitively, the S60/V60 range's massive caveat remains the absence of any sort of spare tyre. A boot space eating space saver package is a cost option. This appalling omission arguably cost the S60 entrant  the otherwise excellent T4  Carsguide's Car of the Year.DRIVINGVolvo people are at pains to paint their Polestar as anything but an M car or AMG, more an equivalent to the BMW and Merc below that exalted level. At any rate, the Polestar is a hugely able sporting grand tourer, rather than a sports sedan per se. Off the mark performance is rapid  the 0-100km/h time is shaved back to 5.8 seconds. Save for front wheel chirrup as the traction control kicks in, delivery is almost completely linear.That can't be said of the steering, which even in the lesser models is just a bit too abrupt off centre and more so here due to the rigid walls of the specially selected Pirellis. Not that it's innacurate or, at at about 2.7 turns lock-to-lock, overly quick.Rather this slightly artifical feel makes you think twice about exploiting the immense grip and corner carving potential that would surely approach  its klick crushing straight line capability. Tyre roar on coarser surfaces and a rigid, but generally complaint, ride are more than acceptable trade-offs not only for the dynamic but the visual enhancement they provide.VERDICTA blessing to the eye with soul-stirring performance to match, the Polestar is a fine alternative Euro. In the absence of genuinely new models, look forward to more such digressions from the Volvo norm.VOLVO S60 T6 POLESTARPrice: $82,990Warranty: 3 years unlimitedResale: 44 per centCrash Rating: Five starsEngine: 3.0-litre tutrbo inline six; 242kW/480NmBody: four door five seats Dimensions: 4628mm (L); 1865 (width); 1484 (h); 2776 (wb)Weight: 1684kgTransmission: Six-speed automatic; AWDEconomy: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

We still can't get over the fact that the medium size Volvo S60 T4 luxury sedan has a 1.6-litre engine. Albeit it's turbocharged, but it sure doesn't feel like a little 1.6. Except when your visits to the servo are once in a blue moon.Volvo is party to the worldwide trend towards smaller capacity, high-tech, force-fed petrol engines to replace larger gas guzzlers. If this is the way of the future, then bring it on.ENGINEThe direct injection engine, a blood brother to the 2.0-litre in T5 Volvos, sees duty in other cars with and without turbocharging and is a crackerjack good for 132kW/240Nm output. Fuel consumption is a handy 7.2-litres/100km and has been hovering around that mark for the past six weeks of our "ownership." Better still is the price which Volvo pitches at $51,990.KITThis money gets you plenty of kit including luxury, safety and performance equipment. You can specify what type of dynamics you prefer - Touring or Dynamic and the electronic safety stuff such as stability control has sports modes. Ours has the Touring suspension which adds extra comfort.COMFORTSWe have grown to appreciate the leather seats electrically adjustable for the driver, and pollen filtration system that knocks out diesel smoke from the ventilation system. The audio system is impressive and we can't see why you'd spend the extra on an upgrade. You only have two ears after all.SAFETYSafety equipment is manifold and includes City Safety that helps prevent rear enders in traffic. The car gets a five star crash rating and has dynamics capable of avoiding a collision in the first place. Though the "base model" the T4 has stylish 17-inch alloys and a quality "European" look to its flanks. The boot is large and there's plenty of room inside.VERDICTWhat's not to like?