Volvo Reviews

Here's a hard one for you. Do you go for a small engine, low spec' German prestige car or, for the same or less money, a fully kitted out Volvo S60 T6 with a 224kW/440Nm six cylinder engine at $64,950.In the past you might have hesitated but we would vote with our wallet in the case of the new S60. It's takes the sales race right up to the high-priced Europeans, pulls out, overtakes them and leaves them in the dust - literally.Lexus comes close(ish) with its new, base model IS350 but is a rear wheel drive and can't match the Volvo for kit.On top of that, the S60 is styled to delight with a coupe look to its sculpted flanks and a contemporary interior with easy to use controls and appealing materials. Volvo boasts about the safety of S60 and it's right up there as you'd expect . But the new technology safety features are optional in a $5000  "Driver's Support Pack" that includes collision warning with auto braking, pedestrian detection using a camera and radar, adaptive cruise control with queue assist lane departure warning, driver fatigue warning and blind spot warning. The pedestrian detection system is a first and is so important, it should be standard on the S60.But that's enough of the safety stuff because this is a sporty sedan with impressive performance credentials thanks in part to the 3.0-litre turbo straight six transversely mounted up front feeding all four wheels though a sweet six-speed auto transmission.The engine has been around for a while and is uprated in this instance to Euro 5 emissions spec' as well as having significantly more power and torque. It features a twin scroll turbo which functions across a wide engine speed range boosting performance from idle to redline without turbo lag.Fuel economy is quoted at 10.2 litres/100km combined but we saw better than that on a freeway run. The preferred brew is premium unleaded.Coupled with the potent engine is a sporty ride and sharp handling that are just right for a wide mix of driving. Comfy over rough roads, the adaptive suspension also holds the S60 firmly in corners controlling its 1888kg bulk admirably.The "Advanced Stability Control" system offers torque vectoring that further aids car control. It selectively brakes or cuts power individually to each wheel. Other dynamics are up with the engine including the steering and brakes.We really appreciated the well shaped seats and all that the S60 has to offer inside particularly the premium audio system that is right up there with the best. There is also full iPod connectivity, large format GPS screen, comprehensive trip computer, Bluetooth, voice control and a multi function wheel to occupy your drive time.The leather interior gives a pleasant driving environment and the entire interior is made without toxic substances. Our only real complaint is the tyre inflation kit in lieu of a spare of any kind and the manual adjust lumbar support which is difficult to use.The S60 is also available in diesel five cylinder and turbo four cylinder versions for less money. The four is a front wheel drive only. Is the S60 enough to drag well-heeled punters out of their 3-Series, A3 or C-Class?Maybe, especially if they want value for money which the S60 offers in buckets to say nothing of how it looks and goes.VOLVO S60 T6Price: from $64,950.Engine: six-cylinder; 242kW/480NmTransmission: 6-speed sports auto; AWDBody: 4-door, seats 5Safety: Driver's Support Pack, auto braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot warningWeight: 1888kg (est)Thirst: 10.2L/100km

Who said the Swedes were a war-fearing nation? It made a mother of all warships in the 17th century and, to really scare the bejesus out of its enemies, the king loaded it up with 64 huge cannon. The result was a floating armament store, piled with all types of weapons to make life unpleasant for anyone who attacked. No-one did because on the morning of August 10, 1628, only 1300m after exiting the Stockholm harbour on its maiden voyage to the cheers of the Swedes, it promptly rolled over and sank. A hull too narrow, too much heavy-calibre cannon sitting high above the waterline and open lower gunports contributed to the Vasa's sinking and much egg on the face of King Gustav II Adolf. Since then, the Swedes became pretty minimalistic with their transport. The result, at least their most recent result, is a car like the S60 which - paring things right back - doesn't even have a spare wheel. Brilliant.VALUE The four-cylinder S60 T5 costs $51,950 which is pretty good value compared with its rivals. Shoppers would probably hunt down a BMW or Audi first but really, in comparison, the feature list of the Volvo is longer. The Volvo's turbocharged engine will also give most similarly-priced rivals a real run for their money.Standard gear includes a huge list of safety equipment, but closer to your fingertips are things like rear park sensors, electric park brake, auto wipers (but no auto lights), Bluetooth/iPod/USB connectivity and leather upholstery.DESIGNGrandma wouldn't recognise this as a Volvo. It's sleek, with a gently sloped roof ending in a neat boot line, and has a broad grille that hints at Simon Templar's P1800. It's not a big car - think Mazda6 or Camry - and has similar cabin space, though the full-grain leather is a treat and the dashboard is beautifully simple and has that look of quality.True, there's no room for a spare wheel but Volvo will happily strap a space-saver to the cargo floor. Truly, if Hyundai can fit full-size spares in its light-car Accent, surely clever Volvo can find space?TECHNOLOGYThe fact this is powered by a 2-litre four cylinder engine and yet is sprightly and even fun to drive, is remarkable in itself. Most of the news is in this car's safety technology starting with the standard City Safety which automatically brakes the car at low speeds when it sensors something ahead.There's lots of no-cost gear on the T5 and if you want more, the safety package of  adaptive cruise control, collision warning with full auto brake, queue assist, pedestrian detection, blind-spot information system and lane departure warning with driver alert control will add a reasonable $5400.SAFETYVolvo and safety are synonymous. Aficionados of the marque reckon Volvo is Swedish for "safe" - in fact, it loosely translates as "I roll" - which is reflected in the car's five-star crash rating, a textbook list of passenger cell features designed to protect life, a chassis full of electronics and even the nimbleness to get out of the way of an impending accident. For the record, standard equipment includes City Safety, brake-ready alert, ESC and emergency brake assist.DRIVINGThe feeling of solidity has never left Volvo, even from the first time you open the door. The car is built strong, feels confident and safe and is always comfortable and quiet so it doesn't upset the occupants. On paper the 2-litre T5 has a few things against it - perceptions of power being one - but those quickly vanish.The steering is a bit light and vague but it tracks corners perfectly and holds its line very well regardless of the road surface. The six-speed dual-clutch box allows some degree of sporty driving but overall, this is better as a cruiser. The dash controls are big, well marked and easy to use and the visibility is pretty good - all combine to package up the car as one that is simple and easy to drive. VERDICTIf you're still slagging off against Volvos you're a dinosaur. Get with the times and appreciate that Volvos are now stylish, affordable and even fun.VOLVO S60 T5Price: $51,990Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmResale: 56%Service Interval: 15,000km or 12 monthsEconomy: 8.6 l/100km; 204g/km CO2Safety Equipment: six airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC. Crash rating 5 starEngine: 177kW/320Nm 2-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch autoBody: 4-door, 5 seatsDimensions: 4628 (L); 1865mm (W); 1484mm (H); 2776mm (WB)Weight: 1542kgTyre size: 235/45R17 Spare tyre noneOthers to considerAUDI A4 1.8 TFSIPrice: $55,700Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 118kW/250NmTrans: CVT auto, front driveBody: 4-door sedanThirst: 7.2L/100km, CO2 169g/km"Top quality but engine/gearbox combo is sleepy while rivals areoffering more value"BMW 320iPrice: $56,100Engine: 2-litre, 4-cyl petrol, 115kW/200NmTrans: 6-speed auto, rear driveBody: 4-door sedanThirst: 7.6L/100km, CO2 176g/km"Hard to see the value here. New model around the corner"LEXUS IS 250Price: $55,800Engine: 2.5-litre, V6 petrol, 153kW/252NmTrans: 6-spd auto, rear driveBody: 4-door sedanThirst: 9.1L/100km, CO2 214g/km"Top quality, feature-filled sedan that's a nice drive backed by slickservice/warranty/customer care program. Winner"

It's Volvo's stated aim to reduce the capacity of its engines to cut fuel use and emissions while at the same time improve performance.

MORE safety and creature features have revved up the Volvo XC60 range to prevent a mid-life sales lull.The smallest of the Volvo SUVs ranks fourth behind the comparably sized Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Lexus RX, but it's still an important model for the company as their biggest-selling SUV. So the Swedes have thrown a bunch of new kit into it and given the popular diesel more oomph.This should renew interest in the car and, with a smaller all-wheel-drive still some time away, it should help ward off challenges from smaller urban-biased SUVs such as the Q3, X1 and newcomer Range Rover Evoque.VALUEThere are three 2.4-litre, five-cylinder turbo diesel XC60s with six-speed automatic transmissions from $60,990 for the base model, $65,990 for the Teknik we tested to $68,990 for the R-Design. The first SUV in this category was the Lexus RX back in the late '90s, but it doesn't have a diesel variant and the hybrid RX450h is way more expensive starting at $96,900 up to $108,900.The BMW X3, introduced in 2004, has two diesels starting at $62,200 for the 2.3-litre four-cylinder and $74,900 for the three-litre six-cylinder, both with eight-speed auto. The two diesel Q5s start at $61,700 for the two-litre to $73,714 for the three-litre V6, both with seven-speed autos.Volvo has improved value by adding a rear camera, powered tailgate and new infotainment system to all XC60s, while the Teknik and R-Design models get Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), satnav with voice control, and Active Bending Lights (ABL).The Teknik may cost $5000 more than the base model, but it adds a powered front passenger seat, the bending lights with washers, satnav and BLIS which would cost $10,450 if ordered separately.TECHNOLOGYA lighter crankshaft and camshafts in the 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel engine and a more efficient cooler have resulted in a slight power boost from 151kW to 158kW while torque is up a significant 20Nm to 440Nm. In power and torque, the XC60 slots in neatly between the four-cylinder and six-cylinder Q5 and X3.At the same time, the XC's economy has improved 10 per cent to 6.9L/100km and CO2 emissions are down 18g/km to 183g/km. That is better than the smaller-capacity Audi, but not as good as even the six-cylinder BMW. Inside, the biggest improvement in technology is the new multimedia centre with a 5cm larger screen (now 18cm), DVD instead of CD, 12 speakers with Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound and Bluetooth now with audio streaming and voice control on phone calls. These features are expensive extras in the German SUVs.SAFETYNeed we say that safety is a key factor of all Volvos? The XC60 has a five-star crash rating and now gets added crash prevention technology with lights that follow the car around a corner, sensors that alert drivers to a vehicle in their blind spot and a rearview camera which should be mandatory on all SUVs.It also includes City Safe which comes to a full stop if the car detects an obstacle in its path when driving at under 30km/h. For an extra $4175 you can get the optional third-generation Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which includes Queue Assist, Pedestrian Detection and Full Auto Brake. This system will automatically adjust the car's speed in traffic and avoids collisions with pedestrians.DESIGNExcept for the Lexus, all models in this category are scaled-down versions of the larger models that pre-dated them. Rarely does this lead to good design. The X3 and Q5 look like a Biggest Loser contestant who has shed a lot of bulk but has unwanted skin hanging around.The XC60 looks fit and handsomely slender; perhaps it did a lot of sit-ups as it shed its weight. From the rear, the body outline is almost sexy with a slender waist and curvy hips. In its mid-life years, it doesn't really need an external makeover, so only the R-Design models get a few external flourishes and bigger wheels.DRIVINGThe five-cylinder diesel engine is not the quietest or smoothest around. Together with the six-speed auto that seems in two minds about changing up for economy and hanging on for power, the powertrain tends to groan when cruising and sound dissonant under full power.But when it all comes together, there is rapid progression with hardly turbo lag that hounds many single-turbo diesels. Even though it doesn't look it, the XC60 is the heaviest of these SUVs at 1819kg yet it feels frisky and light, only feeling its weight when turned abruptly such as dodging urban potholes.Handling is not as precise as the Q5 or X3, but ride is better, although not as plush or forgiving as the RX. The new technology proved a little fickle: The Bluetooth audio streaming function was recalcitrant at times, asking to find the device on some occasions and pairing up quickly on others, while BLIS kept identifying phantom cars.As for the City Safe crash protection system, it came to a dramatic automatic halt as I rapidly approached the rising electric garage door. It came as a bit of a shock, but at least I know it works. Accommodation is high and wide with firm but fair seats, plenty of headroom and an airy feel.VERDICTThe Volvo may not be as sharp as a road tool as the Audi and BMW, but it gains votes for safety, ride, styling and features.VOLVO XC60 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"

We turn the spotlight on automotive's newest and brightest stars. But ultimately, would we buy it with our own hard earned?What is it?This is Volvo's mainstream ultra economy car, not hybrid, not electric, not fuel cell or anything whacky - just smart engineering and technology designed to cut fuel use without compromising feel and performance. It's based on the cute three-door C30.How much?Priced at $36,990, DRIVe was upgraded recently with an extra cog in the gearbox - now six manual, park assist, quality audio and Bluetooth audio and phone among other goodies.What are the competitors? Lexus CT200h, Golf Bluemotion though it's larger, Honda Insight, Ford Fiesta ECOnetic perhapsWhat's under the bonnet?Runs a 1.6-litre, twin cam, turbodiesel delivering a useful 84kW/270Nm output. Has six-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels complete with auto stop/start for city driving fuel savings.How does it go?Really well, much better than expected though off the line seems torque restricted. Slip it into second and away she goes. That 270Nm is good to surf out on the freeway where the DRIVe can show a clean pair of rear tyres to plenty of other vehicles. Ride and handling have a sporty edge.Is it economical?Incredible. We saw better than the claimed 3.9-litres/100km on a steady highway run. Our average turned out to be 4.1-litres/100km which means a potential range of 1260km on one 52-litre tank.Is it `Green?'Yes, gets a 3.5 star ratingIs it safe?Yes gets a five star rating.Is it comfortable?Very, offers well shaped seats and relatively quiet interior with plenty of kit for the money though there are numerous options. What you get standard is all you really need as it includes a decent audio, climate control, remote lock, auto dim rear view mirror, good trip computer and steering wheel controls.What's it like to drive?Enjoyed the experience because we weren't expecting it to be as competent, even the stop/start is easy to use once you get used to it. That little engine has plenty of kick despite being optimised for economy which usually dulls an engine right down.Is it value for money?Shapes up pretty well against a wide range of cars built around a similar philosophy if not engineering. The Ford Fiesta Ecoetic is a clear winner on price but the C30 is a better drive and has more prestige value. Would you really want a Prius or Insight...Would we buy one?Absolutely. We hate going to the servo and the DRIVe offers more than just fuel efficiency even if it does have naff alloys.Volvo C30 DRIVeEngine: Diesel, 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged, dohc; with stop-startPower: 80kW @ 4000rpm.Torque: 250Nm @ 1750rpm.Transmission: Five-speed manual; front-wheel-drive.Fuel consumption: 3.8 litres/100km.CO2 emissions: 99g/km.Dimensions: 4266mm long, 1782mm wide.

There's no question that Volvo has a massive badge disadvantage to overcome with any new model it brings out.Years of flogging the safety horse to death have had their impact, such that the brand has lost its lustre in the eyes of anyone wanting something more than just a safe ride.Many buyers simply bypass Volvo dealers and don't bother to take a look at what the company has to offer and they miss out on some good cars as a result. The S40 was one of those cars. It was often dismissed as just another safe and sound box on wheels when it was a vast improvement on some of the bland models the company had produced before it. It had a distinctive look, a roomy cabin, was well built, and drove impressively.The S40 was a close family relative of the Ford Focus, which was a good start, but Volvo was given sufficient independence by Ford to produce its own car with its own distinctive character. That character starts with the looks, which reflect the family style of other models in the range with a distinctive grille and well defined shoulders. There's nothing offensive about it, it's clean and tidy from all angles. Inside, it has roomy accommodation for five adults, with plenty of head and legroom and lots of standard equipment.Beyond the cabin the boot is deep, if shallow, but is easy to load with a low loading lip. The base model and the SE have a 2.4-litre five-cylinder engine that delivers smooth performance with enough zip to satisfy most owners.The T5 is the one with the most performance. Its turbocharged 2.5-litre five-banger isn't a fire-breather as is sometimes the case with turbocharged engines; this one's got a low-pressure turbo that gives a sensible power boost that's useable. The result is plenty of low-down punch, but still with lots left for the top-end to power it along very nicely.IN THE SHOPThe S40 is well designed and built and that means a reliable run for the most part. There are no serious flaws that afflict it; the things that tend to go wrong are fairly minor and individual. Volvos tend to be well looked after by caring owners, which can make them a good used buy. Even so, it's important to check for a service record, cars that have been neglected are more prone to problems than ones that have had routine maintenance. Also check for evidence of crash damage that hasn't been properly repaired.IN A CRASHFive ANCAP stars are as good as you can get and the S40 gets the top tick from the crash tester. Front, side and head airbags head a long list of safety features that also includes ABS brakes, optimum brakeforce distribution and traction control.UNDER THE PUMPVolvo puts the fuel consumption of the S40 at 8.7 to 9.2 L/100 km depending on the transmission for the 2.4-litre. The turbo 2.5-litre used a little more on average at 9.2 L/100 km, which was in line with what road testers found at the time.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $47,950 to $59,950 Engine: 2.4-litre 5-cylinder petrol; 125 kW/230 Nm 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbocharged; 162 kW/320 Nm Transmission: 5-speed auto, 5-speed manual (SE), 6-speed manual (T5); front-wheel drive Economy: 8.7 L/100 km to 9.2 L/100 km Body: 4-door sedan Variants: Base, SE, T5 Safety: 5-star ANCAP

We've just had a dose of PCP, and we're hooked. No, not the drug known as angel dust, but an equally addictive and street-lethal prospect: the Volvo C30 Polestar Concept Prototype (PCP).You don't often get to fling a one-off motor show concept around a track. And of you're going to do it, who better to do it with than a World Touring Car Championship driver.So we've just done a few track laps with Robert Dahlgren around the Swedish brand's tight 2km test track in Gothenburg. And even by the time you read this, we'll still be grinning.It's a blue streak on steroids, with the hot turbocharged 2.5-litre engine used by the blistering Ford Focus RS - upped by Volvo's racing partner Polestar to deliver 300kW of power and 510Nm of torque to all wheels via a tweaked race-spec six-speed manual.Polestar was given free reign to draw on their experience in developing successful Volvo touring car championship vehicles - but in the PCP's case without being hampered by the restrictions of race regulation specs.In Dahlgren's hands, on a track he knows intimately, it's an expertly-guided missile - swift, deadly and unerringly on-target.And even under the control of our amateur mitts and boots, the car is good enough to get around the laps with a respectable amount of aggressive accuracy.That's helped by razor-response steering, the prodigious grip of a race-spec Haldex all-wheel drive system, Ohlins racing suspension that gives the car remarkable composure even at ridiculous cornering speeds -- and massive Brembo braking ability when you need to call on itIt's fast enough off the line, but slamming the pedal wakes up the turbo and the C30 almost instantly teleports forward. Polestar claims a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds, and we believe it.Under acceleration, the visceral growl from the straight-though exhaust is beyond anything you'd ever expect from Volvo.  It would be stealthy fun to idle up beside any Aussie street hoon's side - and then leave them blistered in the aural afterburn.And the styling would get an aftermarket fan fluttering, with an aggressive bodykit, black 19-in alloys, plus an interior with Polestar blue dials and acres of dark sueded finish stretched over the Recaro seats and steering wheel. And dashboard. And centre console.The concept car is worth more than $200,000, but Volvo says it won't ever be put into production. So - just like the street drug - you're not allowed to have it.

There's a serious risk that Volvo has produced a car you can lust after. The S60 T6 Performance Project (PP) takes the top spec level of the already respected mid-sized sedan and lifts it to new heights of performance and style.Developed in conjuction with Volvo Australia, and spotlighted at the recent Australian International Motor Show, the car starts with the stonking T6 version of the S60. Then it throws in the extra fruit and attitude of R-Design spec and adds tuning by Polestar -- Volvo's motorsport partner, and successful campaigner in years of world, British and (of course) Swedish touring car championships - plus performance garnish from German tuning house Heico.The result is something that looks sharp, goes hard and will leave you with a smile on your face. Ticks all the lust boxes, then.VALUEVolvo will be bringing in a limited edition of 50 cars starting in December, and they could disappear quickly, spokesperson Jaedene Hudson says. "There was a lot of interest at the motor show. People wanted to buy it right there and then."However she says the final price is still to be determined. The bad news is that it's unlikely to be cheap. But if kept within a competitive margin, it will offer more bang for your buck than some other European brands - and much more bang outright than you ever dreamed Volvo could produce.That means somewhere between the $70,000 of the current S60 T6 R-Design, and the nearest competitors. Mainly the Germans, of course, but with Lexus also well in the loop when you're looking for an upmarket sedan with spirit.That puts the strategic ceiling at the $81,300 of the Lexus IS350 Sport Luxury - which still leaves Volvo a fair margin for movement - with the two nearest Germans the Mercedes-Benz C300 at $84,900 and the Audi A4 3.2 FSI quattro at $91,000. There's a BMW 335i M Sport at $108,200, but at that price it's nearly in another segment - and also not best value.TECHNOLOGYThe Polestar tuning means the T6 engine - a 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbo petrol six-cylinder - develops an extra 18kW of power at 242kW and 40Nm at 480Nm. In addition, it spreads the power peak from 5600rpm out to 5400-6500, while the extra torque has a new peak of 3000-36000, rather than the lower - but flatter -- plateau of 2100-4200.Polestar marketing director Hans Baath says the tuning aims to smooth out the turbo effect and deliver the outputs more progressively.It also delivers quicker acceleration, dropping the 0-100km/h time from 6.1 seconds to 5-8 seconds, while maintaining the 10.2L/100km economy and 243g/km emissions.The six-speed auto feeds the outputs to all corners, with a Haldex all-wheel drive system.Heico's exhaust system and 19-in wheels with Pirelli tyres are added enhancements to the R-Design spec, which lowers the car by 15mm and includes sports suspension with better damping at the rear, plus stiffer springs and bushings.DESIGNThe S60 is a well-shaped sedan to start with, and adding the R-Design body kit sharpens up the styling with a more aggressive front fascia, boot spoiler and rear diffuser. It doesn't shout at you, but it's enough to get second - admiring - glances.The cabin gets the R-Design three-spoke steering wheel, sports seats with more bolstering, alloy pedals and ultra-techie blue dials.It's yet to be decided what nameplate the car will wear, with the prospect of it bristling with badges by the time you add the blue Polestar square and Heico's logo to the R-Design.SAFETYWe could just write 'Volvo' under this heading and leave it at that. But it's worth mentioning that in addition to a five-star crash rating and all the usual active and passive features - including eight airbags, flashing emergency brake light and emergency brake assist -- it has a crash-avoidance system that will prevent impact at low speeds by automatically braking you. But it doesn't have a spare wheel of any kind, so you have to rely instead on a goo kit. That's possibly fine in metro areas where the streets are swept weekly and you're not far from rescue if necessary. But if you do regular trips that mean wading through the rubbish strewn on highways, you might think about buying a fifth wheel and strapping it down in the boot.DRIVINGThe S60 T6 R-Design is already a bit of a stealth weapon, but adding the Polestar tuning gives it that bit of extra joy.Granted, it's not going to swipe the mid-sized performance sedan crown from Merc's C63 AMG - but it's not going to cost $150,000 either. It's going to be somewhere about half that price but it's much more than half that good.Polestar has lived up to their gleeful promise of smooth, strong pull from the 3.0-litre. And while it has dropped the 0-100km/h time by just 0.3 seconds - not something you're going to measure in everyday driving - it's very noticeable in the 80-110km/h overtaking range. Stamp the pedal and the S60 PP surges forward with the promise that there's more on tap when you want it.Flicking the transmission over into Sport mode produces a marked mood change, giving you earlier downchanges, and also lets you hold a gear until the revs near the limit, raising the sweet Heico exhaust note to a stirring yowl. It's also going to raise the already double-digit fuel economy to somewhere with real bowser sting.It's solid and confident on the road and you'd have to push it hard - very hard - to get it out of order in cornering. The car's weight and the all-wheel drive system means it doesn't feel as agile as something like the C63 AMG, but it's going to give the nearer price-point rivals a decent run for their money. And a share of their market.VERDICTIt's a pity the edition is limited to 50, but that's still 50 buyers who might not go home with a German prestige sedan.VOLVO S60 T6 PPPrice: $75,000+ (est)Engine: 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbo six-cylinder; 242kW/480NmTransmission: 6-speed sports auto; AWDBody: 4-door, seats 5Safety: five-star (est): 8 airbags, ABS, EBD, BA and moreWeight: 1888kg (est)Thirst: 10.2L/100km 95RON; 243g/km CO2Sharp, stylish and punchy, but it's thirsty.

We ended up keeping this car longer and driving it further than anticipated which was a good thing for Volvo because we grew to really like it. If you're in the market for a premium sports wagon look no further because the T6 has all the bases covered.Attractively priced with some great deals at the moment it's got what it takes to give the Germans a run for their money.VALUEThe T6 with the R Design goodies is the top of the line V60, complete with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged six cylinder engine. It looks fabulous, it's easy and comfortable to drive and offers the practicality of a wagon with plenty of performance to boot.Priced from $72,150 it is well equipped in standard form and is an attractive proposition for those shoping European ie. Benz, BMW or Audi.TECHNOLOGYAll cutting edge. All wheel drive is standard. The 3.0-litre T6 turbocharged petrol engine pumps out 224kW of power and 440Nm of torque. 0-100 km/h takes 6.2 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. Fuel consumption is 10.3 litres/100km (we were getting 10.6).Power is delivered to all-four wheels through a second-generation Geartronic six-speed automatic, as opposed to the double clutch transmission in the T5. New valves and lower friction mean faster gearchanges than before.DESIGNVolvo has managed to find a look all of its own. The V60 is a newcomer to the popular mid-size segment. While it retains the key elements that make it a Volvo (cross-braced grille and largish ail lights) function seems to have accommodated form this time around because it has lost that awkwardness exhibited by previous models. The overall effect is a sleeker, faster looking, more desirable motor car.SAFETYGets a full five stars for safety. The T6 is also all-wheel drive for sure-footted handling. And our test vehicle was also optioned with the Driver Support Pack which adds Adaptive cruise, lane departure waring and blind spot awareness. We're sold on adaptive cruise and blind spot awareness - but lane departure is more of an annoyance than anything else - together though they're $4990.DRIVINGWe clocked up more than 1200km in this car over the recent long weekend. It's a comfortable tourer, for both front and rear seat passengers. Adaptive cruiser is ideal for heavy traffic where it keeps a safe distance between you and the car in front, with no need to touch the brakes.The T6 is fitted with sports suspension and larger 18 inch wheels and rubber. The ride is not as harash as we remember and there's plenty of pickup for overtaking, but at 1800kg it's no sports car. Think easy, relaxed effortless performance and you're nearer the mark.VERDICTA great looking car for a great price. Volvo has really got its act together and the cars look and go a lot better. The tough question is chosing between the economical T5 or hard htting T6 - but one things for sure we'd take the R Design kit every time.VOLVO V60 T6 R DESIGNPrice: from $72,150Warranty: 3-years/unlimited km, roadside assistResale: n/aService interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety: 5-star Euro NCAPEngine: 6-cyl turbo-petrol, 224kW/440NmBody: 5-door wagonWeight: from 1804kgTransmission: 6-speed auto, AWDThirst: 10.3L/100km, 98 RON, CO2 247g/km (3-litre).

If this is the future of electric cars, we'd have one. And it is. But we can't. Or at least, not in the exact form of the Volvo C30 Electric we've just tested.This is part of a fleet of 50 prototypes that will increase to 250 by the end of next year for evaluation around the world. Only two will come to Australia, and neither of them is likely to end up at Chez Carsguide, with the Swedish company targeting business and government fleet leases.But the car won't ever go into full-scale production, which is a pity because it seems to offer everything you could want as a green drive. The good news is that the evaluation program will feel into an electric version of the new V40 model - based on an extended C30 platform -- that is going to replace the aging S40 and V50.And by what we can judge from the camouflaged spy shots of that car, it could be just as good a plug-in prospect as the C30.VALUEIt's almost impossible to talk about value with a car that's not for sale. But it's worth considering where the V40 Electric might be positioned. The initial prices for new technology are high, but manufacturers know early adopters will often wear the extra slug.Prices will come down by the time the Volvo hits the market, but you could still expect to pay at least $50,000 in today's terms. The Mitsubishi i-Miev plug-in is $10,000 more, smaller and not pretty. The Nissan LeafTECHNOLOGYCharge is stored in a 24kW bank of lithium-ion batteries that power a 82kW/220Nm electric motor. With the 200Nm of torque being fully-delivered right from the start, Volvo says the C30E does a 0-100km/h time of 10.5 seconds.It gets to a top speed of 130km/h, with range limited to 120-150km, and a full recharge taking 7.5 hours from a household socket. Zero fuel means zero emissions, except perhaps a whiff of non-harmful exhaust from the bioethanol system that looks after the heating system - reserving the battery power for driving unless manually switched over.SAFETYThe cars will have all the Volvo safety features, with active and passive safety systems, crash avoidance technology, pre-crash warnings and post-crash protection. But there's long been concern about what happens in a crash if you've got a massive lump - or two - of battery loose in the car. So Volvo has also been working to make sure it stays where it's supposed to.Body structures are being strengthened, the pack is positioned so it won't collide with the fuel tank, and a venting system released battery gases outside the car, not into the cabin.DESIGNThe C30 end of the Volvo line-up is the logical place to start for electrification, because it's the lightest car they have. The bonus is that the fast rear line of the hatchback looks up-to-date and stylish, and that will fit better with those who want a plug-in that looks modern without resembling a space pod or attention-seeking supercar.Apart from the socket for the charging cable, from the outside it looks just like any other C30 -- until you lift the bonnet and see an electric motor instead of an engine. The two battery packs are mounted down the centre and in the (former) fuel tank area under the rear, keeping the 280kg battery weight centred, low and trailing - which avoids a weighty nose that would undermine handling.A simple, clear graphic in the instrument cluster shows the battery state and drain rate - without the need for complicated animations and little growing trees favoured in other green cars. There is a teeth-grittingly cutesy touch with a turtle icon that lights up when engine power is reduced, but apart from that it's all admirably sensible.The test car was accented with gunmetal green exterior touches to signify its role in the electric team. The signature livery was echoed in the cabin with bezels and the translucent tone of the shifter - itself a tiny streamlined sculpture that (like the Volvo floating centre console) looks like it might have been swiped from Bang and Olufsen.DRIVINGWith all the torque on tap right from the start, the C30E is snappy off the line, and keeps it coming constantly for most of the acceleration, tailing off only as you get into highway speeds. Lifting off the accelerator gives a noticeable effect of 'engine braking' but in this case it's the system harvesting energy to recharge the battery pack. The shifter lets you select a 'sailing' mode that disconnects the motor and allows the car to coast, but you can really only bring this into play at highway speeds.The positioning of the battery packs keeps the weight low, central and towards the rear, and that comes into play in the cornering. The car feels balanced and reasonably agile. You can hear the electric motor, and while it probably won't appeal to fans of the big-displacement soundtracks, there's a certain exhilaration in the rising sci-fi whine. It's definitely futuristic and prospectively fun. Beam us up, Scotty.VERDICTIt's practical, doesn't look boring - or dorky - and isn't a boring drive. If all that applies when the V40 version comes onto the market, with the right price this will be a winner.Volvo C30 ElectricPrice: NADrivetrain:  82kW/220Nm electric motor, 24kW lithium-ion battery packTransmission:  CVT, FWDBody: 4-door, seats 5Safety: five-star (est): 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, BA and moreThirst: 0L/100km; 0g/km CO2Range: 120-150kmRecharge: 7.5 hours (!0 amp)"We'd like it. We can't have it"