2019 Volvo S60
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Volvo S60
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Year:2019
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Engine:inline-4
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Horsepower @ RPM:254
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Torque @ RPM:295
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Displacement:2.0 L
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A smaller S90 for the masses
Following the launch of the new-generation V60 wagon, Volvo introduced a redesigned version of the S60 sedan in June 2018. Essentially a shrunken S90 with mild tweaks on the outside, the new S60 comes to tackle the highly popular BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class with new technology and new drivetrains.
The first Volvo to be built in the United States, the S60 was unveiled during the inauguration of the company’s new South Carolina factory. It’s not only the first U.S.-built Volvo, but it’s also the brand’s first vehicle to be sold without a diesel engine. Although the Swedish company has some of the most efficient oil burners out there, its diesels will retire in a couple of years as Volvo wants to add electrification to all of its cars from 2019.
Latest Volvo S60 news and reviews:
The 10 Most Beautiful Cars Available Today
It’s true that there is subjectivity in beauty, but in the world of automobiles, that’s less likely to manifest itself because the cream always rises to the top. The most beautiful cars today don’t need to let the world know they’re beautiful. They just are. That’s why when we’re discussing which of today’s cars look the best, the same models find their way into the conversation. There will be some debates, sure, but for the most part, those debates typically are about determining if a car looks awesome or super awesome. Compiling a list of the ten most beautiful cars today was difficult because there were too many options to consider. In the end, I got through my list of 10 models that can take my money just by looking at them.
Right now, the car world is swamped with turbocharged engines. This means high specific output per liter of capacity, lots of torque, massive horsepower numbers and incredible specs for the cars equipped with such tech. While trying to figure out how to present the most powerful four-cylinder production cars, I thought of listing them by the highest specific output of the engine. Yet, listing five with 350+ horsepower feels more fun. It is quite incredible to see to what lengths the producers are willing to go in order to convince us that turbocharging and four-cylinder engines are just enough for basically anything, including high-end performance. These five cars with four-cylinder engines have so much power they will make you forget about a V-8.
Apart from really important SUV debuts, the first six months of 2018 saw the introduction of some astonishing cars as well. We had it all, from electric supercars to coupe-like performance sedans and standard, but revolutionary sedans.
This year is seeing a smart shift in car development thinking. Obviously, companies have to reinvent their business model and offer the world something unique. This led to the introduction of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe, the fantastic Volvo S60 which you don’t have to buy but subscribe to it as you do with Netflix, and the super fast luxury GT that’s as mad as the 812 Superfast – the DBS Superleggera. Then there is the Rimac C_Two – a car that basically showcases the growth of a young car company. Thanks to technology wonders, we can basically watch the company development live. And, the Rimac C_Two was their Rumble in the Jungle moment. These are this year’s six most thrilling debuts so far.
2019 S60 T8 Polestar Engineered Sells Out In Less Than An Hour
Volvo introduced the third-generation S60 compact earlier this year, and with it, the limited, hot-to-trot Polestar Engineered edition. Thanks to its sultry aesthetic and potent powerplant, Volvo fans were eager to scoop it up - so much so, every available unit sold out in just 39 minutes.
Continue reading for the full story.
Comparison: 2019 Volvo S60 vs. 2019 Mercedes C-Class
Launched in conjunction with the grand opening of Volvo’s new manufacturing plant in South Carolina, the third-generation S60 compact executive four-door brings a host of fresh features to make it competitive in the segment. However, Mercedes-Benz commands a strong position here as well thanks to it’s best-selling C-Class, which recently received an update for the 2019 model year at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show. So then - which is the better buy? To find out, we put them side by side and dived into the specs.
Continue reading for the full comparison.
Pricing for the Volvo S60 Polestar Engineered is Far From What You’d Expect
The U.S.-built Volvo S60 was launched last week, and the automaker has already announced that the top-of-the-line hybrid version, the S60 T8 Polestar Engineered, will be available from June 28. But, there’s a catch – only 20 of these will be available, and only by subscription through Care by Volvo. Customers who have enrolled in Care by Volvo can make a monthly payment of $1100, before taxes and registration fees, for the S60 T8 Polestar Engineered. These monthly payments cover insurance, service, and maintenance of the car.
Comparison: 2019 Volvo S60 vs BMW 3 Series
After years of struggle to make a stand in the premium market, the S60 finally has a shot against the leading nameplates in this niche: the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and the Audi A4. We’ve already compared the S60 to the Merc, so now it’s time to pit it against the 3 Series, the vehicle that has set the benchmark in this segment for many years.
Purchased by Geely in 2009, Volvo was subject to a makeover in recent years that saw most of its important models redesigned from the ground up and all engines that weren’t four-cylinders discontinued. The Swedish firm also developed a hybrid drivetrain under Chinese ownership. The first vehicle to sport all these novelties, the XC90, entered production in 2014, but the design and tech expanded to include the S90 and XC40 too. Come 2018, and Volvo redesigned the S60 compact sedan using the same features and technologies, turning it into a shrunken S90.
As far as declarations of intent go, the one Hakan Samuelsson, Volvo CEO, gave two and a half years ago may be the boldest yet. Commenting on Volvo’s future plans, he presented an interesting vision - “Our Vision is that by 2020, nobody should be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo car.” This sentence, along with strong investments in research and development, has since become a staple of the company’s dogma. The new Volvo S60, revealed only days ago, follows this dogma to the letter with a wealth of technologies and solutions focused on achieving a single purpose - to create the safest car possible. Sure, the technology hidden under the body of the new S60 is shared among all new Volvo cars based on the SPA platform, but that does not make it any less intriguing.
Did you know that the most powerful Volvo is an XC90 T8 plug-in Hybrid with the Polestar Performance Optimization package? It has 415 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. With the introduction of the new Volvo S60, the same drivetrain found its place under the gorgeous metal of the latest mid-size sedan with Polestar Engineered attire and crest.
“The new S60 T8 Polestar Engineered is an electrified car that does what you want it to,” said Henrik Green, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Volvo Cars. “All components have been fine-tuned to work together, delivering a responsive and exciting driver’s car.”
Making the new S60 as potent as it looks, Polestar Engineered had to make some important changes compared with the classic versions of the car. Sure, the R-Design is still available and gorgeous at that, but it is not the top of the line anymore. That honor falls on the new Polestar Engineered S60.
3 Things that Prove that the Volvo S60 is Ready for the Future
As expected, the new Volvo S60 is packed with technology, with features previously seen only on high-end cars, and with ideas that could revolutionize the entire car market. In addition to the fantastic Pilot Assist system, which basically makes the S60 a semi-autonomous, mid-size saloon, the S60 boasts the cool and convenient Sensus Connect Infotainment system.
However, the most amazing feature that sets it apart from the rest of the pack isn’t a feature at all. You can subscribe through the Care by Volvo subscription service and drive the new S60 thought actually buying or leasing it. This pioneering effort by Volvo offers you a car for a fixed monthly fee. No strings attached.
2019 Volvo S60 Configurator: How We’d Spec It
The Volvo S60’s arrival is a huge deal in the premium sedan segment. The all-new model is touted as a legitimate threat to shake up the establishment, and from the looks of it, the S60 has the chops to make a lot of noise. But before we start saving up for the S60, we’re being given the opportunity to create the version of the sedan that best suits us, all thanks to the sedan’s online configurator. As expected, I went ahead and played around with it.
2019 Volvo S60 vs 2017 Volvo S60
The 2019 Volvo S60 has arrived, and not a moment too soon. Volvo’s small premium sedan finally broke cover after weeks of build-up, ushering in a new era for the Swedish automaker in its attempt to compete against established titans like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The new S60 represents a lot of new things for Volvo. It’s bringing the company’s new design language to the masses, which, in a lot of ways, is one of its biggest selling points. Say what you will about the new S60, but one thing that’s indisputable is that it’s a major step-up from its predecessor.
2019 Volvo S60
Following the launch of the new-generation V60 wagon, Volvo introduced a redesigned version of the S60 sedan in June 2018. Essentially a shrunken S90 with mild tweaks on the outside, the new S60 comes to tackle the highly popular BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class with new technology and new drivetrains.
The first Volvo to be built in the United States, the S60 was unveiled during the inauguration of the company’s new South Carolina factory. It’s not only the first U.S.-built Volvo, but it’s also the brand’s first vehicle to be sold without a diesel engine. Although the Swedish company has some of the most efficient oil burners out there, its diesels will retire in a couple of years as Volvo wants to add electrification to all of its cars from 2019.
5 Must-Know Facts About the 2019 Volvo S60
Revealed with much online fanfare, the new 2019 Volvo S60 is a crucial part of Volvo’s push towards an all-electric vehicle line up. The 2019 Volvo S60 is a car of many firsts for Volvo, and you should know these five facts about it, rather sooner than later. After all, the Volvo S60 is the first step in a continuous electrification effort which will eventually bring about the demise of the diesel engine.
Meet the 2019 Volvo S60, the Car That Comes to Put the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series in Their Place
The cover has finally been pulled off the all-new 2019 Volvo S60, revealing a stunning new look, powerful drivetrains ranging between 250 and 400 horsepower, and a price schedule ranging between $35,800 and $55,400. It will be the first Volvo built in the United States at Volvo’s new plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina. Let’s take a closer look at it and what you can expect when it hits dealers.
One More Teaser for the Volvo S60 Before Tomorrow’s Big Debut
The new-generation Volvo S60 is set to debut tomorrow, June 20, and the Swedish automaker released a teaser photo to get things hot for another 24 hours. The compact sedan will be unveiled in Charleston, South Carolina, where Volvo will open its first-ever U.S. manufacturing plant. The teaser shows an S60 hidden under a thin cover, but it doesn’t reveal much.
Volvo Teases the New S60 Polestar Days Before its Debut
A day after introducing the Polestar Engineered Performance Pack for the upcoming S60 sedan, Volvo is now teasing the range-topping T8 S60 that’s going to receive the performance infusion from Polestar. The new teaser comes in the form of a 12-second video, showing the T8 S60’s front section, while also giving us a birds-eye glimpse of the sedan.
Polestar Will Tune the New S60 to More than 400 Horsepower
Polestar may be its own company now, but it’s still expected to play a role in Volvo’s core lineup, including the all-new S60 that’s days away from making its debut at the Swedish automaker’s new production facility in Charleston, South Carolina. Volvo’s performance division will be in charge of creating what’s described as a “Polestar Engineered” range-topping version that will sit above Volvo’s R Design model of the next-generation sedan.
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All We Know About The 2019 Volvo S60
The S60 is one of Volvo’s best-selling sedans to date. The S60 made its debut in 2000 and was seen as a successor to the S70. Since then, the car has seen itself in different avatars - as a performance car, an electric car, a cross-country, an estate, etc., and all of them have had their fair share of success. The S60 is all set to enter its third generation, and we can expect a lot of things to be changed this time around. Here’s a quick synopsis of what we know about the Scandinavian-designed beauty.
No more Diesel Engines for the upcoming Volvo S60
The all-new Volvo S60 will be unveiled in the coming weeks and is set to become the first offering by the automaker in the modern era sans a diesel engine! This marks the start of Volvo’s ambitious electrification era and highlights their “commitment to a long-term future beyond the traditional combustion engine.” Is this a safe move for a car that always had a diesel engine?
Volvo just recently introduced the V60 Estate, and it was a huge departure over the outgoing model. It featured a sportier, more attractive design to go with an interior that was suitable to actually compete with the likes of Audi and BMW. That’s something the old model, with its heavily outdated interior, just couldn’t do. There’s no denying that Volvo put a lot of work into revamping the V60, but a lot of that work was borrowed from the larger S90, so it’s not exactly new DNA. Be that as it may, Volvo believes the new V60 is worthy of a price tag that is more than $10,000 higher than that of the outgoing model – now that’s one hell of a price hike.
The truth is, Volkswagen has only released pricing for the U.K., where it will carry a window sticker that reads £31,810 or £7,665 more than the outgoing model. Do the currency conversion (Accurate as of May 18, 2018), and that computes to $42,890 or $10,334 more expensive. Volvo claims that the higher pricing is due to the step up in engineering, quality, and equipment. The equipment we can certainly agree on as the last model had an infotainment screen that looked like it was borrowed from 2008, to be honest.
In the end, though, that Volvo’s excuse for such a massive price hike only goes so far. Sure, it’s nicer, more attractive, and more technologically advanced, but the real reason is that it finally brings the pricing of the V60 inline with the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series Wagon. Volvo insists it will offer more equipment for the money, though, so maybe it won’t be so bad. Either way, a big selling point for the old V60 was that it was on the high side of affordable and now it officially moves into luxury pricing territory.
Sure, maybe it fits in the luxury category better. And, it does fit there better, but Volvo could have done much better to keep the pricing in a lower bracket compared to the competition. Either way, when it comes to the states, it’ll probably carry a price tag very similar to the A4 Allroad and the 3 Series Sport Wagon, its two main competitors in this market.
Volvo Kicks Diesel to the Curb for the 2019 S60 and all new models beyond
Apparently, Volvo thinks that axing its diesel engines is evidence of its “commitment to a long-term future beyond the traditional combustion engine.” Reading a line like that, you would think the lineup would be magically shifting electric-only propulsion, but that’s not the case. Starting with the 2019 Volvo S60, all new Volvos will only be offered as mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids, or all-electric. So, despite that commitment, gasoline-powered engines still have a home at Volvo – they just need some kind of hybridization to piggyback on.
A Volvo-AMG S60? It’s Not Entirely Out of the Question…
The days of staying true to one brand have really become a thing of the past. After all, you’ve got BMW and Toyota Teaming up to build the next Z4 and Supra, Nissan and Mercedes teamed up to build the Mercedes X-Class, and Geely is buying up stock like it’s going out of style, with the most recent acquisition making Chairman Li Shufu the largest single shareholder of Daimler. And, that’s why we’re here today – that partnership, according to Manager Magazin, could extend to Daimler buying some stock in Geely and eventually supplying Mercedes Engines to Volvo. So how about it; a Volvo-AMG S60, anyone?
2018 Volvo S60 & V60 Polestar Champion Edition
Volvo took a title win in the FIA World Touring Car Championship this year thanks to the efforts of Cyan Racing and its S60 Polestar TC1 racer. Leading the charge was driver Thed Bjork, who also managed to grab the Driver’s Championship, making him the first Swede to “win a motor racing world title” according to Volvo. In recognition of that, the brand is releasing upgraded iterations of the S60 sedan and V60 wagon dubbed the Polestar Performance World Champion Edition.
Continue reading to learn more about the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Champion Edition.
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2018 Volvo S60 and V60 Get Carbon Fiber Enhancements From Polestar
Of the models in Volvo’s automotive lineup, the S60 and V60 are the two that have yet to adopt the Swedish automaker’s design language. Don’t worry though because that’s coming in the next few years. In the meantime, the two models are getting a nice treat for the 2018MY, all thanks to some new aerodynamic accessories provided by Polestar.
The kit itself covers plenty of real estate on both the S60 and V60 and was designed to help enhance the sedan and wagon’s performance and handling credentials. It covers upgrades on both the exterior and interior of the two models, with the exterior of each model promised to receive improvements in downforce by as much as 30 percent. There are no power upgrades, though, so don’t expect anything on that front. Still, there’s plenty of new bits and pieces to get excited about, especially for those who are looking into either the S60 or the V60 as their new automotive purchase. Best hurry though in making up your mind because Volvo is limiting production of the Polestar aerodynamic package to just 1,500 units. Should you decide to hold off until the next-generation models for both the S60 and V60 arrive, you’re going to have to wait at least another year for both cars to adopt Volvo’s current design looks. Either way, it’s not a bad idea to go in either direction.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
What’s The Best Upscale Performance Sedan You Can Get For Less Than $50K?
The sport sedan – talk about a hotly contested segment. Almost every major automaker out there has one, but as you might expect, not all are created equal. And that’s where we come in, armed with a boatload of facts and figures to help rank the various entries from best to worst. Of course, more attentive TopSpeed readers out there are sure to point out that this is a topic we’ve covered before, most recently in a comparison piece looking at the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Chrysler 300, Infiniti Q50, Jaguar XE, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. But unlike that last article, which focused on luxury cars with a sporty flavor, this piece will instead focus on cars that place a greater emphasis on performance, with luxury as a secondary priority. As such, we’re picking apart the Acura TLX, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Cadillac ATS, Subaru WRX STI, and Volvo S60. Sure, there’s overlap, but in this crowd, the effort is made more for grins behind the wheel than backside coddling.
That isn’t to say these cars aren’t comfortable – indeed, each offers a fair amount of upscale treatment, some more so than others. That said, we weighed performance much more heavily this time around, giving otherwise more spartan models a shot at the top of the list. So how do we place these five four-doors? Read on to find out.
Continue reading for the full comparison.
2016 New York International Auto Show – Worst In Show
Meeting the high standards of a major international auto show is not easy. It takes creativity, an appropriately sized budget, and no small measure of polish. When it all comes together, the result is a beautiful thing to behold. A single model can shed light on an entire brand, sparking passion and lust in every corner of the automotive universe. We’ll cover those drool-makers in an upcoming Best In Show piece, but this article hits the other side of the spectrum – the monotonous, the poorly conceived, and the yawn-worthy.
This time around, our list of Worst In Show has a theme – special editions that aren’t that special. The 2016 New York International Auto Show was chock full of ‘em this year, so we collected some of the worst offenders for a little collective disdain.
Enjoy!
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
2017 Volvo S60 Edition
The Volvo S60 was designed as a replacement for the Volvo S70 and has seen just one generational change since its debut 16 years ago. That second generation came in 2010, with the new S60 taking styling advice from the Volvo ECC Concept and the Volvo S80. The look was fresh back then, but today it’s starting to look a little aged, and it’s about time Volvo steps up its game and ushers in a new Generation. So far, we haven’t heard anything about that, but for 2016 Volvo is releasing a special edition of its premium, midsize sedan.
Björn Annwall, the Senior Vice President of marketing, sales, and customer service for Volvo, said, “The S60 and V60 are drivers’ cars. Our focus with the Model Year 2017 Edition is to take this winning concept even further with a combination of fresh design features.”
So, what he’s basically saying is that instead of designing a new generational model for the six-year-old model, Volvo decided to offer up a special edition that features some options as standard equipment. Not that it is necessarily a bad thing, but after six years a fresher look would be nice. Some minor changes take place inside in out. Some new wheels and new body colors are available for the exterior and a few things to talk about on the inside.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at what we know about the Volvo S60 Edition and what will make it stand out in the lineup. For those of you interested in Volvo wagons, the five-door V60 Estate has also received the same treatment – you can read about that model here.
Continue reading to learn more about the Volvo S60 Edition.
It’s been 30 years since Volvo won the European Touring Car Championship with the 240 Turbo but the Swedish brand is celebrating by preparing a race car for the 2016 World Touring Car Championship. Based on the S60 sedan, the four-door was developed by Polestar, the company’s performance division, and will be campaigned in the WTCC by Cyan Racing.
Polestar’s official motorsport partner since 1996, Cyan Racing has six Swedish/Scandinavian Touring Car Championship (STCC) driver titles and seven team titles under its belt and will now take part in Polestar’s first multi-year program in a world championship.
Volvo’s previous factory effort in the WTCC dates back to 2011, when Polestar Racing completed a full season with a track-prepped version of the C30 hatch. The Swedes weren’t successful though, finishing last in the manufacturers’ championship, failing to score wins or podiums. Previously, Polestar raced an S60 in the Swedish event of the 2007 season, while Olsbergs Green Racing fielded C30s at Brands Hatch in 2008 and 2009.
”We have chosen the FIA WTCC as our global motorsport platform as it combines the cutting edge technology of our Volvo cars with exciting racing all over the world. The championship enables us to further develop our technology and utilize development from the racing circuits directly to our products for performance oriented Volvo customers,” said Niels Möller, COO of Polestar.
In 2016, Polestar will face competition from Citroen, Honda, Lada, and Chevrolet.
Continue reading to learn more about the Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 Race Car.
In May of this year, we brought you news that Swedish automaker Volvo had announced plans to build its first U.S. assembly plant. A recent press release officially announced that Volvo kept its word and has begun construction of its new facility in Berkeley County, South Carolina. A time schedule for completion has yet to be announced, but the Swedes still intend to roll their first U.S.-made vehicle off the assembly line by the final quarter of 2018.
The plant will first begin production of the redesigned, Volvo S60 sedan that Volvo has been busy developing in its home country. There will be a second model built at the plant as well, but Volvo has yet to release details on which model it has in mind. Initial staffing of the plant is expected to reach up to 2,000 employees, with a long-term goal of increasing to upward of 4,000. The American-built S60 will be exported globally to markets all over the world.
Continue reading for the full story.
For car enthusiasts who are also Volvo fans the watchword for the past few years has been, “Get the blue one.” The blue in question is the eye-searing Rebel Blue, the signature color of Volvos that have been massaged by Polestar. These limited-production Volvos sport extensive engine, suspension and body tweaks that turn them into factory-built tuner cars. It’s a successful formula, and though uncommon, the 2016 Volvo S60 Polestar is able to roll with the sporty Germans without embarrassment.
The Polestar cars will be back for 2016, available as options on the S60 and V60. That’s good news; it means the excellent new S60 and V60 are teamed with a turbocharged 345-horsepower six-cylinder engine that sports an active exhaust and upgraded engine management system. Transmission response is faster, and all-wheel drive is standard. Polestar also adds custom Öhlins shocks and six-piston Brembo brakes.
Visually, the Polestar S60 and V60 are distinguished by a restyled front fascia and huge wheels. Inside, sport seats and steering wheel ensure a comfortable drive. There are now four colors available, with Ice White and Bright Silver joining Black Sapphire and Rebel Blue on the palette. (The Rebel Blue still looks best, though.)
Continue reading for the full story.
Volvo’s recently announced plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina near Charleston will build the brand’s most popular cars in the U.S. The news comes from CEO of Volvo Cars of North America Lex Kerssemakers, who recently spoke with Automotive News about plans for the new plant, saying, “we will select a model that will be in the highest demand in the United States."
Volvo’s best sellers in the U.S. right now are the S60 sedan and XC60 crossover, but Kerssemakers went on to say that the upcoming XC90 SUV would not be built at the new plant.
Following the leads of Mercedes-Benz in Alabama and BMW in South Carolina, Volvo’s new southeastern plant represents a $500 million investment. Construction will begin in fall of 2015, and it should be online by 2018. The new plant will initially create 2,000 new jobs for the area, with that number increasing to 4,000 as production ramps up.
Volvo says the new factory will have a capacity of about 100,000 cars per year, and will be one of three in the world tooled to build cars based on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture. The company sold 56,366 units in the U.S. last year, but with 14 new vehicles coming over the next five years, Volvo is projecting a sharp increase in demand.
Continue reading for the full story.
Having expanded the V60 range to include a Cross Country model in 2014, Volvo has now launched a similar package for the S60. Yes, that’s not a spelling error, the compact sedan now has a crossover version of its own, with all of the bits and pieces that made the V60 Cross Country one of the greatest wagon-based crossover, minus the massive storage area in the rear. Introduced at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show and scheduled to go on sale later in the year, the S60 Cross Country gives Volvo bragging rights as the only manufacturer to sell a crossover-like sedan. Sure, the S60 isn’t the first of its kind, but both the Legacy-based Subaru Outback Sedan and the AMC Eagle are long gone.
More importantly, Volvo’s perched sedan is the first such configuration to come in a luxury package and I can’t help wonder whether the S60 Cross Country will influence other compact sedans to don on a crossover suit in the near future. Meanwhile, Volvo’s "unique expression of adventure and all-road readiness" rides on its own globally as far as body styling goes. Read on for the full run-down.
Updated 05/21/2015: Volvo announced prices for the 2016 S60 Cross Country, which will go on sale later in the summer. The model will be priced from $43,500.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Volvo S60 Cross Country.
Although Volvo is often referred to as the automaker producing the safest vehicles in the industry, the Swedish manufacturer is also known for the massive amount of luxury and technology it puts into its cars and SUVs. Sure, Volvo still lags behind German companies like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi in terms of sales, but the Chinese-owned brand’s lineup is as lush as it gets, with the brand-new 2016 XC90 paving a new path in terms of exuberance. While it may take a couple of years for the entire Volvo lineup to align to the trend set by the SUV, the Swedes are trying to keep up with the Germans by bringing more Inscription models into dealerships. At the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, Volvo unveiled the S60 Inscription, basically the range-topping version of its compact sedan.
Introduced in early 2014, the Inscription trim is essentially a package that adds several unique features inside and out, including soft leather upholstery, bespoke paints, new wheels, and custom interior amenities with embroidered logos. The S60 is the latest to receive the Inscription trim, which will arguably enable the sedan to fare better against similar competitors from Germany and the United States as well.
Updated 05/21/2015: Volvo announced prices for its entire 2016 model year lineup, including its new addition: the S60 Inscription. The model will be offered in two versions, with prices starting from $38,700.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Volvo S60 Inscription.
I’ve actually owned about 11 Volvos over the years, so I may be a little bit biased when it comes to the new S60. It’s not the bias you’d expect, however. As the proud owner of a veritable fleet of “brick-“era Volvo 240s and 740s, the marque’s gradual shift from plain and simple to svelte and luxurious has had a tendency to leave me behind, ideologically. The pragmatic old 240 is a much, much different animal from the new S60, which has high rollers like Audi and Infiniti in its sights.
If you’re expecting criticism of that direction from this Volvo diehard, you’re not going to get it. Change is good, and Volvo’s evolution has resulted in a handsome and unique addition to a rather crowded segment of the premium-car market. I spent a week with the 2015 Volvo S60 T6 and, traditionalist or not, we got along just fine.
Continue reading to learn more about the Volvo S60.
Volvo just recently announced its intentions to build its first-ever U.S. production facility, and the Swedish automaker has just announced that the plant will be in South Carolina. The plant will be in Berkeley County, just north of Charleston, and while no exact location was revealed, the facility will most likely be located along the western edge of the county, close to Interstate 26.
Construction will begin this fall, with cars rolling off the assembly line by 2018, but Volvo has not said which product (or products) it plans to build in South Carolina. The best bet would be the popular S60 or one of the two crossovers that Volvo offers. When the plant goes online, Volvo says that it will initially have the capacity to build about 100,000 units each year, including those for export.
There is no word as to how many people the plant will initially employ, but Volvo has a “longer term” plan to employ 4,000 people. Add in the additional five to seven jobs that Volvo says will be created outside the plant by outside companies and suppliers, and South Carolina’s employment rate will probably see a pleasant spike over the next several years.
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The 2015 automotive year is off to a great start thanks to the Detroit Auto Show. Hosting no less than 27 production debuts, Detroit showcased some of the most exciting vehicles to hit the market from 2015 through 2017. Ford stole the show with three brand-new performance cars, including the 2017 GT, the 2016 Shelby GT350R, and the 2017 F-150 Raptor, while Acura drew massive crowds to its stand with the 2016 NSX. The truck segment welcomed three more additions in the form of the 2016 Nissan Titan XD, the 2015 Ram 1500 Rebel, and the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, while Chevrolet brought an electric lineup consisting of the second-generation 2016 Volt and the 2015 Bolt EV Concept. However, the 2015 Detroit Auto Show wasn’t all about cheers and chants. The Cobo Center floor had its fair share of dullness, and that’s exactly what I’m going to talk about below.
Why? Well, first of all, let’s say that it wouldn’t be fair to highlight only the good stuff. Secondly, the vehicles I’m about to review below reveal new brand strategies as well as existing policies that may or may not be healthy for the manufacturers in question. Keep reading for the worst bits of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show and make sure you share your thoughts about our list in the comments box below.
Click past the jump to learn which cars we find the worst on show this year.
Being auto enthusiasts, we tend to forget that certain markets like the FWD luxury sedan segment even exist. With machines like the Acura TLX, Lexus ES, Toyota Avalon, Cadillac XTS and even the Audi A6 all sold with front-wheel drive, it is actually a large market. With that in mind, the new 2015.5 (yes, the .5 is important) Volvo S60 is an important car for the Swedish brand. I have spent extensive time in the Audi, Lexus and Toyota models, and all three are great in their own right. Does the Volvo have what it takes to win over buyers in this crowded segment?
The Volvo has a new Drive-E engine that promises incredible power and fuel efficiency, stunning Swedish design, and some of the most advanced safety tech available on any car. I really like the XC60 I had a few weeks ago that came with the same engine and safety systems, but how does this translate into a sedan? You will have to read on to find out.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015.5 Volvo S60.
Hard to believe it is already Thursday again. My how time flies when you are having fun. I hope you enjoyed the experience that was Episode 037 of the TopSpeed Podcast and the experience of the madness that is this year’s LA Auto Show.
We start out with Weekly Wheels; Mark is in the Chrysler 200 S, and I spent a week with the Volvo S60, and once again Justin is sitting this segment out.
From there we jump straight into news as there is a lot to cover thanks to L.A. Ford finally unveiled the new GT350, Cadillac made the ATS-V official, there are a bunch of new Jaguar F-Types for sale, Volkswagen proved the existence of a Golf R Wagon, and Toyota went nuts with a hydrogen powered car. There is also the new Mazda CX-3, the Audi Prologue concept and the “concept” Bentley Grand Convertible. We also have spy shots of a basically undisguised Porsche Cayman GT4 as well.
Thanks to you guys, we have a nice collection of questions to answer about the LA show, about podcast guests and about Ken Block and his special brand of hoonage. We also have a new Own, Drive, Burn that features some Italian supercars and one American sports machine.
This week’s show was a blast, and we did really good about sticking to our 1-hour target on time. If there is a car from L.A. that we didn’t cover, and you want to hear our thoughts, make sure to drop it in those comments with your other questions. We will be sure to answer it on next week’s show. Now have a great weekend, and we will see you next Thursday.
Proving it’s more than just safe station wagons, Swedish car company Volvo is entering one of Australia’s toughest races, the V8 Supercar Series with its highly modified S60 sedan.
As Volvo teased earlier this week, the S60 is powered by a monstrous 5.0-liter V-8 kicking out 650 naturally aspirated horses and 487 pound-feet of tire-shredding torque. The result is a zero to 62 mph time of only 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 185 mph. The engine was developed by the famous Volvo tuner Polestar from Volvo’s existing 4.4-liter V-8 found in the S80 and XC90. Polestar modified the aluminum block and bolted on new aluminum heads to help achieve a 10:1 compression ratio while eight individual throttle bodies carry E85 fuel to the cylinders.
Today the Volvo race team showed off their S60 racer for the first time by driving it across Australia’s most famous bridge and holding a press conference in its shadow. On Saturday, the team to hit the track at the Sydney Motorsport Park in a shakedown day before competing in the Clipsal 500 on March 1st though 2nd.
Click past the jump to read more about the standard Volvo S60.
It was expected that once Volvo dropped the new-generation V40 onto the market, all the other models in the lineup would follow suit. The first model sent back to the design board was the S60, but only for a minor facelift. The model made its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, next to a few other updated Volvo models.
The current S60 was unveiled in 2010, and this is the first update offered for it, even though Volvo opted to only update the exterior and the interior look.
The 2014 S60 receives a new front fascia with more focused and determined-looking headlamps, a wider grille, daylight running lights and new taillights with LED light. For the interior Volvo adds in new upholstery colors, new wood inlays, a new headliner, and the silk metal frames around the air vents and light controls.
Updated 08/02/2013: Volvo revealed its entire 2014 lineup, including the S60 luxury sedan. See all of the details after the jump.
Click past the jump to read all about the 2014 S60
After first unveiling the concept version at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Volvo S60 Polestar has finally made it to production. However, before you get too excited, you have to know that the new S60 Polestar will initially only be offered in the Australian market. Depending on the Australian reaction to the new model, Volvo will decide if other market will also get it or not.
When it comes to the exterior look, the production version remains pretty faithful to the concept, but unfortunately the concept’s amazing output didn’t make it to production. So, if you were hopping to see the same turbocharged, in-line six-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 508 horsepower we have to tell you that you are going to be a little bit disappointed.
Even more bad news comes with the announcement that the S60 Polestar will be limited to only 100 units, so not even the Aussie market will get much of an opportunity to really enjoy it.
Updated 03/31/2014: Volvo unveiled a new video showing the new S60 Polestar in action in Arctic conditions. Behind the wheel you will see Scott McLaughlin and Robert Dahlgren. Enjoy!
Hit the jump to read more on the new Volvo S60 Polestar.
Swedish automaker, Volvo, has introduced a new lineup of R-Design-badged models at the New York Auto Show.
One of them, the S60 R-Design, is a pleasant surprise.
Volvos don’t usually have the kind of presence that its European counterparts command in an auto show as big as New York. But it’s doing its part to ensure that people still remember that they have something to offer that can impress a lot of people.
The S60 R-Design carries its share of improved dynamics over the standard S60 model. Some you’ll notice right off the bat, others you’ll notice only after you take it out for a spin.
In any case, the entire program is certainly worth looking into, at least if you’re in the market for an affordable luxury car with some added components that can drive up its appeal.
In the end, the S60 R-Design is a step up from the standard S60, and at this point, that’s as good as anything when it comes to Volvo.
Find out more about the Volvo S60 R-Design after the jump
Volvo unveiled the S60 Polestar Concept at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show and it caught everyone’s attention, thanks to its impressive 508-horsepower output and its announced top speed of more than 186 mph. So it’s no surprise that Jay Leno decided to review the concept.
In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, he had invited Hans Baathm, Managing Director at PoleStar Performance, who explains the idea and the technology behind the S60 Polestar Concept.
The S60 Polestar is powered by an inline six-cylinder engine that is tuned to deliver an un-Volvo-like 508 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque. With the extra 208 horsepower, the S60 Polestar will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 186 mph.
Watch the video to see if Jay Leno will take the S60 Polestar over the BMW M3.
While it’s probably a title that Volvo doesn’t want to get rid of, the car brand known for being one of the safest in the world is taking a step in a new direction with a pretty good aesthetic and performance upgrade for the S60.
Under its performance line, R-Design, the Swedish automaker gave their resident sedan a welcome change on both its looks and engine output. Together with the XC60 R-Design, the S60 R-Design made its debut at the New York Auto Show and is set to go on sale later this summer.
"The jump in performance will re-define these two R-Design models," said Doug Speck, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America.
"Along with styling and suspension features that set them apart from other versions, our two newest R-Design models will have a higher ’fun-to-drive’ quotient. I see that as a positive thing, and so will car buyers."
You don’t need to convince us that the S60 R-Design just became a more interesting flagship sedan. How that translates to sales will be another matter, but the early returns are looking very promising.
Details on the Volvo S60 R-Design after the jump.
Volvo is offering its American customers a cheaper entry level model for the S60 line-up. It’s called the T5 and is priced at only $30,795, which is $450 less than the previous base model and $7,000 more affordable compared to the initial top version.
This new version will be powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 250HP and 266 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six speed automatic transmission. It comes equipped with memory, power folding rear head restraints, front and rear sport seats, a leather steering wheel with metal inlays, dual-zone air conditioning, an infotainment and 8-speaker sound system, Bluetooth hands-free phone interface, T-Tec textile upholstery, and 17-inch alloys.
Hit the jump to read more about the Volvo S60 T5.
In the glorious country that is the United States of America, we have an interesting and ineffective way of naming our favorite vehicles. It seems every magazine - and sometimes states - gets to name their favorite car of the year. While this can be great for the automaker’s advertising, it can confuse the public just a tad. What car is better here, the winner of Magazine A or Magazine B?
In Europe, things go a bit smoother. Seven different publications from seven different countries pick what they think is the best car of the year. It takes a few months, but in the end you get one winner, which was the Opel Insignia last year.
The finalists for this year came down to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Citroën C3/DS3, Renault/Dacia Duster, Ford C-Max/Grand C-Max, Nissan Leaf, Opel/Vauxhall Meriva, and Volvo S60/V60.
If those are the choices, we choose the Alfa. The Volvo puts up a strong case, but nothing compares to that Italian soul and passion. Despite our pick, we doubt the jurors will feel the same.
So which vehicle do you think deserves to be Car of the Year? Hit us up in the comments section below.
Apparently no one wants to share the spotlight during the Paris Auto Show because many automakers have decided to spill the beans about the vehicles they will be debuting just a week before the actual event. Volvo is no different as they have just revealed details on an R-Design package for both their S60 and V60 models. Both models will go on sale in the autumn of 2010, with the US market only getting the S60 R-Design.
The R-Design models will be distinguished by a redesigned front with a grille painted in glossy piano black, color-matched body components, details in matte special finish, and a hexagonal pattern that is repeated both front and rear. The sedan will also get twin exhaust tailpipes and unique five-spoke 18-inch Diamond cut wheels. Both models will be painted in Passion Red. The interior will get sports seats, special leather/textile upholstery, special steering wheel, gear selector, sports pedals, and floor-mats.
As for the technical details, the R-Design models will get a strut brace under the bonnet, monotube dampers, the shortened (by 15mm) front and rear springs, and a new Corner Traction Control system.
Under the hood Volvo will place a range of petrol and diesel engines, starting with an economical DRIVe version producing 115 HP and going up to a high-performance turbo version with 304 HP.
Press release after the jump.
After Heico Sportiv unveiled the official details on their new tuning kit for the S60 sedan, Volvo has followed right behind with their own special edition that they have developed in collaboration with that same tuner. Together they have produced the S60 T6 Design that will be built in a limited 100 units and priced at €63,968 (around $81,000 at the current exchange rates).
This special edition will come painted in Black Sapphire metallic, and distinguished by 19-inch Diamond cut alloys with Pirelli tyres, a two-part front spoiler, and a rear diffuser bumper made of superlight plastic and carbon fiber. The interior will get an aluminum trimmed gear knob and pedals along with a limited edition plate which identifies the specific production number of the car.
Under the hood the engine has been tuned to deliver 330 Hp and 460 NM of torque. The 0 to 60 mph sprint is now made in 5.8 seconds, while top speed is still electronically limited to 155 mph.
Frankly, the two kits are similar so the customer’s best bet would be to just compare prices and go with the cheapest. Hey, it pays to be frugal.
Press release after the jump.
