2018 Volvo V60 Reviews

You had to fight your way through a scrum to get into a few of the cars at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum green car summit in Berlin earlier this year. Porsche's electric Boxsters, the Monaco-bred Venturi supercar, Citroen Survolt and Peugeot EX-1 concepts were all mobbed. And so was a Volvo station wagon.The drawcard was the V60 PHEV, the Volvo's prototype of what will be the world's first plug-in hybrid diesel-electric system. Even then, a single short run around Templehof airstrip didn't really give a thorough idea of what the vehicle was like - but we weren't game to risk bodily harm by hogging the keys.However we've had a second, and slightly longer, chance with the vehicle at Volvo's Gothenburg headquarters in Sweden.And while it was again in one of the prototypes - with some elements that will be changed for the final model - it gave us a clearer idea of what's in store for most aspects of the car, and Volvo's vision of a plugged-in future."Electrification is necessary to reach sustainable mobility," says V60 PHEV technical project leader Per-Arne Reinholdsson. "Volvo aims to secure a leadership position focusing on customer needs and lifestyle without compromising performance. The V60 PHEV vision is that it would be a real car that could be used without compromises."VALUEOne unknown is the bottom line. While the V60 PHEV will go into production late in 2012 - initially for markets in Europe -- there's no confirmation yet of whether it will go no sale or be obtainable only as part of a lease program in its first years."The price will be higher than a normal car, but we are still negotiating to keep it down as much as possible," Reinholdsson says, adding that prices will improve over time as increases in production bring economies of scale.The current V60 range starts at $54,950 here, and Volvo Australia believes that while the PHEV will be at a premium price when it arrives here in 2013, it will still be competitive at somewhere between $75,000-$80,000. "I think $80,000 will be the upper ceiling," managing director Matt Braid says. "But it's so much early days, that we haven't even had discussions about material costs for the technology that we can base our price on."With no other plug-in diesel hybrid around, we can't really make a close value comparison for the Volvo, except to shop it against other medium-sized diesels - including its own V60 D5 at $60,950.Other choices in terms of practical space, upmarket fit-out and frugal engines include the 5.4L/100km BMW 320d at $62,600 – although it’s looking very tired – and the 5.5L/100km Mercedes-Benz C200 CDI Avantgarde at $67,150. But if you can stretch to $69,900, there’s the powerful and frugal 5.3L/100km Mercedes-Benz C250 CDI Avantgarde, which is proof that you can have it all, if you’re prepared to pay for it.TECHNOLOGYThe V60 is powered by a 160kW/440Nm 2.4-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel driving the front wheels, with the rear wheels driven by a 52kW/200Nm electric motor that draws its power from a 200-cell 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack.It's operated via a six-speed automatic transmission and three driving modes - offering what  Reinholdsson refers to as "three cars in one" -- depending on how frugal or feisty you're feeling.The electric-only Pure mode will give a range of 50km and fuel economy and emissions of, well, zero. In this mode, the system conserves electric charge by fending off 'drains' like airconditioning. Hybrid mode has a less stringent attitude but aims for overall efficiency.Largely alternating between the electric motor and the diesel engine, the range will be 1200km, but Volvo claims that in normal combined driving, the fuel economy will still be a miserly 1.9L/100km with CO2 emissions of just 49g/km.Power mode pulls in combined extra help from both the diesel engine and the electric motor's push to the rear wheels, delivering a total output of 212kW - and a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds with a top speed of 200km/h, Volvo says. However they haven't been able to tell us the fuel economy and emissions for this mode.The car can be charged in 4.5 hours with a 10-amp household socket, with that time cut to three hours with a 16-amp supply. The battery pack has an integrated cooling system - which operates during charging to optimise the 'refuel' and longevity - with a computer system monitoring the temperature and charge in each of the 200 cells.DESIGNIt looks like any other V60, except for the charging socket behind the front wheel - on the left-hand side for the initial roll-out, but likely to be offered on the right-hand side for our market.With the diesel engine driving the front wheels, the weight of the two battery packs and the electric motor is distributed through the centre tunnel area and under the boot floor - which has been raised about 6cm to accommodate it.However, the system adds about 300kg in the prototype, although Volvo says some optimisation work should reduce this for production. The only other external difference on the prototype was the addition of 'blades' to give a better aerodynamic flow over the wheels, reducing drag and aiding fuel economy.The main changes in the cabin are the new instruments and switchgear to control the plug-in hybrid systems, with driving modes and levels of charge indicated by a refreshingly simple animation in the central cluster behind the steering wheel.SAFETYIt's a Volvo signature to offer five-star safety, and they've gone to great lengths to ensure this one shouldn't be any different. That includes stringent consideration of what could happen in a crash to the heavy lithium-ion battery packs.This has meant strengthened body structures to secure the pack and hold it separate from the fuel tank. They recently crashed a PHEV to demonstrate the ability to keep the pack - and its gases and 400 volts - contained, and are also training European rescue workers on how to approach a PHEV after a crash.That new technology aside, you can expect the usual Volvo arsenal of airbags, safety systems, crash avoidance, pre-crash warnings and post-crash protection.DRIVINGWe're usually a bit skeptical about marketing-tinged statements like "three cars in one. But in this case, they're onto something. While you don't really feel the changes back and forth from electric to diesel when you're running at good speeds in Hybrid mode, what you can see is the differences between that and the other two modes.Pure is very quiet except for the tyre roar and wind rush - although Volvo is working on amplifying the noise of the electric motor as a pedestrian safety strategy - with more relaxed steering and pedal characteristics.Hybrid mode feels like a normal vehicle, albeit still a somewhat torpid and heavy one despite the wheel and accelerator maps hardening up. And while it's not transformed into a track day weapon, Power mode gives the PHEV a fairly satisfying response to the boot, with even sharper steering and throttle response - and the increased surefootedness of both axles coming into play.However in every mode you're aware of the extra weight of the vehicle in every corner, and losing some of that extra poundage will be crucial to making the V60 plug-in a more comfortable drive - even a pleasure, with a bit more work.VERDICTWhile the prototype still has some issues, we can see where it's headed - and what's headed our way. If the price is competitive and there's enough supply, we can see this being a winner.VOLVO V60 PHEVPrice: from about $75,000Engine: 160kW/440Nm 2.4-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel 52kW/200Nm electric motor and 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack.Transmission: six-speed auto, FWD/AWDSafety: five-star (est)Thirst: 1.9L/100km; 49g/km Co2 (Hybrid"Solid, sensible, signature Volvo. But a bit overweight at the moment."

The humble station wagon seems to be making a comeback.More and more car makers are reintroducing wagons into their lineups, but not the wagon as we remember it. These are "sports wagons", much more exciting carry alls that sacrifice some practicality to style. A prime examaple of this is Holden's stylish Sportwagon with its smaller luggage area.The latest manufacturer to add its name to the list is Swedish car maker Volvo, which has just unveiled a wagon version of its mid-sized S60 sedan, called the V60 (the V is for versatility).VALUEPriced from $54,950, it has the looks and performance to put the German big three on notice.TECHNOLOGYThe S60/V60 are all the more interesting because one of the engines offered by Volvo will soon power the Ford Falcon. The GTDI 2.0-litre turbcharged, direct injection four cylinder petrol engine is known to Ford as the EcoBoost engine and is set to replace the long serving straight six in the Falcon in the months to come.In the Volvo, it generates 177kW of power and 320Nm of torque and is paired with a six-speed double-clutch robotised manual.We've driven quite a few of these so called "manumatics" in the past couple of years and this one is the smoothest and most responsive so far.Fuel consumption for the entry level V60 T5 model with this engine is 8.7 litres/100km and the car accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds. Not bad.The V60 is also offered with a 2.5-litre five cylinder turbo diesel and a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol six which powers the top of the line model. The diesel is good for 151kW and 420Nm of torque while the six produces 224kW and 440Nm.The cars are designated T5, D5 and T6 respectively.DRIVINGWe got to drive the T5 and T6 this week at the launch in Albury. Although the T6 hits harder, its sports suspension, larger 18 inch wheels and low profile rubber contribute to a much harsher ride.The ride in the T5 with 17s on the other hand is impressive, but smaller wheels are always a harder sell.The 2.0-litre turbo produces a satisfying amount of power. It's quiet and comfy, with a smooth ride and plenty of grip. The suspension did an outstanding job of soaking up potholes and undulations that we encountered on country roads.SAFETYAs a Volvo the V60 is of course choc-o-block with safety equipment including the City Safety system which is standard across the range.The car is fitted with a number of cameras and radar sensors and will automatically brake at speeds of up to 30km/h to prevent rear enders in traffic. We were however disappointed to learn that a reversing camera is not standard nor is the pedestrian detection and braking system. The latter is parcelled as an option with Active Cruise Control.Audible reversing sensors are standard and Volvo argues they are more useful than a camera. If you want Active Cruise Control it will cost you another $4175 or you can take the whole Driver Support Pack for $4990 which includes lane departure warning and the BLISS blind spot awarness system. Interestingly, the NRMA offers a discount on insurance premiums for Volvos fitted with City Safe.The D5 diesel model carries a $6000 premium while the T6 with the flashy R Design goodies tops out at $72,150.VERDICTThe V60 gets a big thumbs up from us.

NO-ONE tells Volvo jokes at barbecues anymore and traffic light confrontations now are instigated with great trepidation. This is a new era for Volvo in terms of performance, and from Volvo Australia's perspective, one where sales just keep on rising. The primary reason is a fresh line of product. The boxes went a long time ago but its only recently that the transition from rectangles to gentle curves hit home with buyers.Volvo Australia's new managing director Matt Braid says more than 7000 cars are forecast for sale this year, up from 4945 last year. Its mainly attributed, he says, to the mid-size S60 sedan - a rival to the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 as well as examples from premium Japanese makes - and from this week, its wagon version, the V60. "The S60, V60 and XC60 are the strong players at the moment," he says. "They're offsetting a bit of a fall last year with the XC90 (once the most popular Volvo) and the smaller S40 and V50."The S40/V50 duo are suffering, Braid says, from intense rivalry in the compact premium sector. While the V60 has a big job to help increase sales, it carries those on broad and very capable shoulders, as I discovered this week at its launch.VALUEThere is no surprise that the V60 offers a lot for the money. Volvos now are all like that. The surprise is more that the emphasis is now on the driving experience rather than solely on keeping its occupants alive.The V60 comes with the choice of three drivetrains, 12 paint colours, a wide range of leather colours including pairings, and if that doesn't satisfy you, an option list so big that it can add about $25,000 to the price of the $54,950 entry-level T5.The T5 also comes as an R-Design version (15mm lowered and tightened suspension, body kit, snappy interior, and so on) for $59,150 and shares the 2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and six-speed auto driving the front wheels.Step up to the D5 (2.4-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel) and you'll spend from $60,950 and then climb up to the T6 (3-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol) for $67,950 and in R-Design trim, $72,150.TECHNOLOGYThe V60 is based on the new S60 sedan and picks up a very taut and responsive chassis and a comprehensive list - when you add in the options - of safety gear.Standard is the City Safety system that automatically stops the car when it detects low-speed impact. Options include collision warning with full auto brake, the very clever radar-camera pedestrian detection and driver alert.More interesting is the 2-litre four-cylinder engine that will also be used in the Ford Falcon. It's a beauty, though drive it like it's stolen and Volvo's official fuel economy doesn't see eye to eye with reality. Except for the neat - but optional - full multi-media system, the V60 is more about relatively simple components honed for maximum efficiency.The only cruncher in all this is the lack of a spare wheel. You get an aerosol can of goo that is one step up the ladder from walking home. Not safe, Volvo!DRIVINGThis thing is really good. It is a quiet, comfortable wagon that Volvo freely admits is more for driving than delivering cargo. For that, Braid says, get the V70. The chassis is taut and the steering rarely feels vague like similar electro-hydraulic units. You push this into a corner and it sends back positive news through the steering wheel.Don't laugh at the 2-litre in the rather porky 1870kg body - it's an eager engine that has superb low-end torque (320Nm at 1800rpm) that makes it a quick machine through tight, winding roads.Volvo claims 8.7L/100km in the front-wheel drive wagon but I got 11.9L/100km.  The T6 - inline six with a turbo - is a great engine but maybe too much and too expensive for its class. Still, it has all-wheel drive and hangs on like a limpet through the corners. It returned 10.9L/100km/h on the test route.The seats are comfy and, in the R-Design option, get cuddly with your body thanks to heavy bolstering.  Ergonomics are pretty spot on - Scandinavians can't help themselves with some nuances, as anyone who has assembled Ikea will testify - and standard child seat bolsters in the back, split fold-flat rear seats, rear vents and personal item storage just add the sauce to the herring.VERDICTI'd recommend this as a buy, but if you travel outside the city you'll need a spare wheel and that's an option.VOLVO V60Price: from $54,950Warranty: 3-years/unlimited km, roadside assistResale: n/aService interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety: 5-star Euro NCAPEngine: 2-litre, 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 118kW/230Nm  2.4-litre, 5-cyl turbo-diesel, 151kw/420Nm  3-litre, 6-cyl turbo-petrol, 224kW/440NmBody: 5-door wagonWeight: from 1870kgTransmission: 6-speed auto (all); front drive (2-litre), AWD (2.4 and 3-litre)Thirst: 7.1L/100km, 98 RON, CO2 188g/km (2-litre); 8.7L/100km, CO2 205g/km (2.4-litre); 10.3L/100km, 98 RON, CO2 247g/km (3-litre)"Affordable balance of pace and grace with extra room for the toys"