Among the car brands there are ordinary and popular ones: Ford, Honda, Volkswagen and so on. There are premium ones - BMW, Audi, Mercedes. And there are also cars with the Volvo logo, which seem to be on their own. And in the light latest news and it is not at all clear what will happen to this brand next. But it's still before us last reincarnation Volvo S60, during a test drive of which we find out what kind of beast it is and for whom.
— D-class sedan produced since 2010. The car is equipped with gasoline engines of 1.6, 2.0 and 3.0 liters, with a power of 150, 180, 203 and 304 hp. respectively, as well as two diesel engines with a volume of 2.0 and 2.4 liters, with a power of 163 and 215 hp. Front-wheel drive, in the version with a three-liter engine - all-wheel drive. The test vehicle was a Volvo S60 2.0 AT Kinetic worth $44,072.
3D panorama of the Volvo S60 interior*
*To view the image, move the mouse cursor while holding down the left button
We are used to the fact that Volvos are such boxy cars for middle-aged and older people. This was facilitated by the abundance of such square cars in the 90s, and the occasional sarcasm about this in American films and TV series, where successful doctors of pre-retirement age drive Volvos. But the S60 tries to break out of this stereotype with both design and positioning. In official materials he is called nothing less than daring. What kind of a daring guy is this sedan?
Design: either a grandfather or an athlete
Indeed, the appearance of the current generation S60 is far from those 740s and 840s models that we are used to seeing on the streets of Ukrainian cities. More smooth lines, a somewhat oriental squint of the headlights, which still did not become Korean, extending far onto the wings. It's immediately obvious that this is a Volvo, but from the 21st century. The sloping profile of the roof also tries to hint at sportiness, as well as the fact that the main place in this car is not the right rear, but still the driver's. So you can expect a good drive
The edges of the hood smoothly bend around the headlights and end at the bumper, highlighting a massive beak with a radiator grille. Which is still traditionally cut diagonally. The corporate identity has been preserved, the car is recognizable, and the fresh design attracts attention, people turn around and hold their gaze. The rarity of such cars on the streets also contributes to this; even the most expensive XC90 SUV can be found more often than this sedan.
Due to the strongly sloping rear part of the roof, the S60 does not look massive, although it hides a traditionally impressive trunk. But the victim of the design was the opening, which may no longer allow a large suitcase to fit through.
Salon: make yourself at home
The fact that I was dealing with a Volvo for the first time, not counting a test drive in the S40, did not prevent me from immediately feeling at ease. This happens rarely and is worth a lot. The seat settings are minimal and you are ready to travel a thousand kilometers in it, all the controls are where they should be, they are pressed without looking and they are responsible for exactly the functions that you expect from them. And the on-board computer menu is just some kind of holiday among all the elaborate car interfaces. There is no need to think about which button to do what, a simple, understandable and Russified tree menu. This is happiness.
The only surprise, and a pleasant one at that, was a button on the center console that folds the headrests in the back row in one fell swoop for better visibility.
The interior design can best be described as “sophisticated simplicity.” There is no pretentious luxury, no designer delights. But there is absolutely nothing to complain about. Everywhere where the eye and hand can reach there is soft or simply pleasant-to-touch plastic. The leather on the door cards and seats is simply excellent, you'll want to sit on it forever. The seat itself seems to hug you softly and unobtrusively, like a home sofa, but at the same time continues to hold you securely in sharp turns. The settings memory, by the way, is as much as three positions; electrical adjustments are only for the driver.
Naturally, the signature features are in place: a floating console with a niche, pockets at the ends of the front seats and cup holders with a curtain. There is also a good niche in the center armrest, there is also a USB port and an AUX input. By the way, the Volvo S60 is the first car in my memory that correctly recognized an iPhone 4 connected via cable and was able to play music from it, even recognizing Cyrillic tags. And since we're talking about multimedia system, then I note that it produces excellent sound, and the Bluetooth hands-free system deserves applause. The interlocutor on the other side of the line does not even notice the difference from a conversation on the phone. Although its functionality is limited, the phone book and call list cannot be read, the maximum it can do is dial a number using the buttons on the console.
Despite the sloping roof, tall passengers will not feel discriminated against. With a height of 187 cm, the author calmly sat behind the driver’s seat, customized for himself. And he didn’t rest his head on the ceiling. So, if desired, the car is quite suitable for seating the driver in front, and doing business on the road.
Drive: comfort and more comfort
If you imagine characteristics such as comfort and sportiness coordinate axes, where X will be comfort, and Y will be sportiness, then the direct driving impressions from the Volvo S60 will go up at an angle of thirty degrees. That is, comfort is put at the forefront here, although they have not forgotten about controllability.
The feeling that you are sitting in your favorite leather chair in front of the TV while driving the S60 never leaves you. This seat is very comfortable, and the suspension and steering in every possible way protect the driver from information about the quality of the road surface. Only a really serious pothole, which you did not have time to drive around, will be able to break through the suspension and shake the car, but still not be transmitted to the spine of the driver and passengers. This is probably the time to note the excellent sound insulation, which also contributes to a comfortable ride over any distance.
When driving quietly, the six-speed automatic switches gears almost imperceptibly for the driver. And it adapts very quickly to your driving style. You press to the floor - it turns until the red zone, but you just drive a little calmer - it already switches at three or four thousand or earlier. The manual mode is conditionally manual; before the red zone, the box itself will shift up and will not allow you to drop the gear down at four thousand rpm.
Overall the engine/transmission combination is excellent and complements each other well. The manual mode here is more for controlling the engine in the mountains or in winter than for sporty driving. Moreover, the automatic one works just fine. Even the pause on kickdown is kept to a minimum, while the box still has time to decide one or two downshifts need to be reset. In general, the dynamics both during direct acceleration and when overtaking (60-100 km/h 80-120 km/h) are sufficient. But still I can’t help but feel that I want more. After all, as you know, there is never too much power. Therefore, I would still look at the three-liter version, especially since the car is already in the price range where fluctuations of several thousand are not so significant. But then you won’t catch yourself thinking that something is missing, and the sound of a three-liter aspirated engine will be much more pleasant than a supercharged four-cylinder. Although, I repeat, this engine is enough for normal dynamic driving.
As for consumption, in the urban cycle during quiet driving it never dropped below 13 liters per hundred, but if you drive actively, it tends to reach 15.
And one cannot fail to note the presence of many additional systems safety, we still have Volvo, which for many is still the benchmark in the implementation of active driver assistance systems. WITH full list can be found on the manufacturer's website.
Eventually
The Volvo S60 is a great car. It drives great and is nice and comfortable inside. Why don’t we see it among the BMWs and Audis flashing on the streets? The answer is simple - the price is too premium, but there is no premium at all. The car is undoubtedly good in terms of all its characteristics. And if you compare directly with the Bavarian three and the Ingolstadt four, then it will seem more interesting, especially if you are for a comfortable ride. But, really, it’s not in this country that you can sell a Volvo at the same price as an Audi and a BMW, no matter how good it is. So the S60 remains the lot of very few originals. Therefore, probably, the location for the shooting was not chosen by chance. Kiev Vozdvizhenka, which was supposed to become either a center of concentration big business, or an elite residential area, has been striking for many years now with its beauty and desolation. The Volvo S60, just as expensive and practically useless, fits perfectly into this landscape. And he is just the tip of the iceberg, because the whole company is now experiencing far from better times. The hope for a second wind, which should come from the Middle Kingdom, remains only hope. Rather, China will absorb many years of developments, technologies and patents, chewing and dissolving the once legendary brand over time.
With a hatchback silhouette, a sloping hood line, wide-set head optics with separately located diode side lights, a heavily heaped C-pillar, boomerang taillights. All these seemingly disconnected design elements together make up a single ensemble, whose name is new Volvo S60. But he is really beautiful! During the test, I did not hear a single indifferent review about the design of the “sixty”.
The boomerang-shaped taillights illuminate with four recognizable LED strips at night. The heavily sloping C-pillar gives the sedan the appearance of a hatchback.
Inside, the S60 is a typical Volvo. An elegant and easy to read dashboard with two round dials, each with one small display inside. The leather steering wheel is equipped with comfortable keys and fits perfectly in your hands. The traditional branded “floating” center console has not gotten rid of the clutter of small keys. A tribute to style? On top of the console there is a navigation screen and various car options, of which there are quite a few.
The stylish steering wheel with recesses for a “grip” fits comfortably in your hands.
You can travel through the wilds of the menu either using the scroll wheel on the “floating” console or using the keys on the steering wheel. The algorithm is well thought out, everything is convenient and intuitive, but why is everything so slow as on the old Pentium? The cursor jumps to the next item with a noticeable delay after pressing a key. In addition, the standard navigation system often got confused and even tried to direct me to the pedestrian Kamergersky Lane a couple of times! A dubious investment of almost 113 thousand rubles.
In addition, the menu has a very interesting option for changing the lighting mode from right-hand to left-hand. British drivers will appreciate this feature, for example, if you decide to go on a visit to their country in a Volvo S60.
The appearance of the test Volvo S60 caused genuine delight among almost all respondents.
The front seats have an excellent profile and good lateral support, but are covered with slippery leather, which tends to “spit out” the driver who decides to take a turn a little faster. The rear sofa is molded for two passengers. A good supply of free space, comfortable seats, an armrest with cup holders and a box for small items, as well as optional heating - passengers in the gallery will not be offended. True, the third one is definitely superfluous here. Due to the large central tunnel, he is unlikely to enjoy the trip. For 99 thousand rubles you can install two autonomous DVD players in the front headrests. But to pull out the screen, you need to have truly heroic strength. The tight plastic latch gave in to me only on the fifth try.
The rear sofa is clearly molded for two passengers. The third one will be hampered in the middle by the massive central tunnel. Heating is offered as an additional option (16,500 rubles).
The trunk volume of 380 liters does not pretend to be a leader. In the basic equipment, only a repair kit is hidden under the floor, which can be used in case of a puncture. For an additional fee, you can order a full-size spare tire, although due to limited space in the “underground”, it will lie directly in the trunk. There is only one consolation - a beautiful cover and fasteners so that the spare wheel does not dangle in turns and during sharp braking. The transformation of the interior comes down to a separate folding rear sofa, and to transport long items, the front passenger seat can also be folded.
The 205-horsepower five-cylinder diesel engine gives the Volvo S60 good dynamics, which is enough both in the city and on the highway. In Russia, the diesel Volvo S60 is supplied only with automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Average fuel consumption during the test was 9.3 liters per 100 km.
Under the hood of the test car is a 2.4-liter five-cylinder diesel engine with a power of 205 hp. This version is only available with a 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
2 05 power under the hood is quite enough both in the city and on the highway. The Volvo S60 quickly picks up speed and doesn’t falter during high-speed overtaking, fully justifying its rated 8.1 seconds to “hundreds”. The six-speed automatic transmission is smooth and precise, with no lag when shifting down or up. For special occasions There is a sports mode and the ability to manually switch. But in the sport mode, reactions to the action of the accelerator pedal are revealed to the point of indecentness, and the need for manual shifting is completely discouraged by the adequate operation of the automatic transmission.
The navigation system, which was constantly confused in its readings, caused criticism. By the way, this is one of the most expensive (112,900 rubles) options offered for the S60. For rear passengers, an entertainment system is offered, consisting of two independent monitors in the headrests. The price is steep - 99 thousand rubles. The menu is overly complicated and illogical.
If you ignore the vibrations that penetrate from the diesel engine into the cabin a little more than we would like, then already in the first kilometers you notice an excellent level of sound insulation. Neither extraneous noise nor engine rumble actually penetrates into the cabin. The comfortably tuned suspension handles potholes and bumps well, while roll in corners is moderate. But the chassis reacts to little things on the road more strongly than we would like.
The trunk is small - only 380 liters. As a bonus, there is a convenient holder, for example, for anti-freeze bottles. Only the repair kit was located under the floor. The spare tire is an additional option, and it will have to be placed directly in the trunk; it will not fit under the floor.
For 67,100 rubles, you can install the Driver Dynamic package, which includes a variable-force hydraulic booster, as well as electronically controlled shock absorbers with three operating modes (Sport, Comfort or Advanced). I couldn't find much difference in the modes. In “Sport” the Volvo is a little harsher on speed bumps and reacts more sharply to small holes and joints, and in “comfort” there is a hint of lateral rocking on the highway. Overall the difference is minimal.
The Volvo S60 is literally packed with various safety systems. City Safety is designed to prevent a collision with the car in front at speeds up to 30 km/h. As an option (129,000 rubles), the Driver Support package is offered. It includes systems that help prevent collisions and detect pedestrians, as well as alert the driver when the driver is distracted. Driver Support also includes forward collision warning with full automatic braking, a blind spot monitoring system, a lane departure warning system and adaptive crisis control, which now also works in traffic jams.
Much more interesting in this package is the variable power steering function, which fills the steering wheel with noticeable reactive force as speed increases. In addition, wandering through the menu, you may come across a choice of steering force. With low force, the steering wheel is too empty, and after turning on high force, the steering wheel becomes stiff, almost like on a BMW, but the electronic “weight” is too synthetic, so the connection with the road is lost. I liked the middle mode the most: with it the feedback is at the same level, and it’s convenient in the parking lot.
The signature floating console is stylish, and the climate control and audio system control knobs are comfortable. However, the clutter of keys in the center takes some getting used to.
The “Sixty” stands well on an arc, quickly responds to steering movements when changing lanes and holds a high-speed straight line perfectly, without requiring constant steering, even in a rut. If there is excessive speed at the entrance to a turn, like a typical front-wheel drive Volvo S60, it first tends outward, after which, when the gas is released, a smooth skid begins, which can be developed using all-wheel drive by adding gas to transfer the torque to the rear axle. However, the vigilant and non-switchable stabilization system stops all the driver’s pranks in the bud, allowing the Volvo S60 to only snap back.
Active bi-xenon headlights are offered as standard only with the richest Summum version, otherwise you will have to pay 56,500 rubles for them. Sensors for the blind spot monitoring system are located in the side mirrors (49,600 rubles).
To the boring list additional equipment, which the test car was crammed with, included an optional Driver Support package (129 thousand rubles). It includes active cruise control, as well as the already familiar system for monitoring blind spots and road markings. If previously active cruise worked from 30 km/h, now the Volvo S60 can safely move with cruise control turned on, even in a traffic jam. The driver can only select the distance and maximum speed and control the steering wheel. Volvo takes control of the gas and brakes.
As an alternative to the diesel engine, petrol 4-cylinder turbo engines with a volume of 1.6 (150 or 180 hp) and 2.0 liters (203 hp) are offered. Boxes - 6-speed manual and 6-speed PowerShift transmission with two clutches. At the top is a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo engine producing 304 hp. Like the diesel, it is only available with automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Another electronic assistant is called Pedestrian Detection. According to official information, using a special video camera, the system can identify a pedestrian at least 80 cm tall and, if necessary, initiate braking to a complete stop. Thus, if the driver missed a pedestrian jumping onto the roadway or a car in front suddenly braking, the system will help avoid a collision or run-over. According to official data, it will be possible to completely avoid contact at a speed of no more than 35 km/h; in other cases, the system will help soften the blow.
The interior of the Volvo S60 is made entirely of high-quality materials. Everything is laconic and stylish. Ergonomics are excellent. The seats are comfortable, but the leather is too slippery.
I was unable to test the system in the Volvo dealership parking lot where I picked up the test car. A Volvo S60 spontaneously stopped in front of an inflatable pedestrian, just like in numerous promotional videos. However, I did not dare test such a system on public roads. The fact is that for flawless operation many factors must coincide, such as the absence of glare on the asphalt, natural lighting, etc. As a result, it is better to rely first on yourself, and only then on various electronic assistants.
The sixties test took place in difficult weather conditions. Together with the Volvo we experienced both snowfall and freezing rain. Despite the fact that the torque is transmitted to the rear axle with a noticeable delay, in such conditions the all-wheel drive system was not at all superfluous.
If you decide to buy a Volvo S60, you need to be prepared to fork out some cash. The cost of a fully packaged test copy with a 205-horsepower diesel engine and all-wheel drive came close to 2,500,000 rubles. The price of a gasoline front-wheel drive Volvo S60, equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo engine producing 203 hp, ranges from 1,186,000 to 1,424,000 rubles.
The standard 304-horsepower Volvo S60 T6, which, like the diesel version, comes only with automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, will cost at least 1,799,000 rubles.
The most affordable versions of the Swedish sedan appeared on the Russian market only in January. The price of a car equipped with a 1.6-liter gasoline turbo engine producing 150 hp. and a 6-speed manual transmission, starts from 1,099,000 rubles. Under the hood of the second version there is a similar engine producing 180 hp, which is paired with a PowerShift transmission. The cost of such a car, depending on the level of equipment, ranges from 1,232,000 to 1,434,000 rubles.
R uslan Galimov
We marinated in a dead traffic jam for two hours. The surrounding highways in the Los Angeles suburbs are tightly blocked because a single-engine plane crashed onto Highway 101... identification marks Luftwaffe! Recently, the concept of an "American Volvo" sounded equally surreal. However, the fascist fighter turned out to be a historical club airplane that crashed due to a faulty engine. And the Swedes’ act looks like nothing more than a logical business step to strengthen their position in one of the leading automobile markets in the world as a powerful global manufacturer. Produce where you sell - that's the name of the strategy.
Starting in 2021, the next-generation XC90 crossovers will begin production in Charleston, South Carolina, but the honor of becoming the first Volvo passenger car with the Made in USA stamp falls to the new S60 - it is already on the assembly line. We also care about this: the “sixty” sedan, unlike the previously presented V60 station wagon, is going to be brought to Russia from America. This will not happen soon, in August - September 2019, so brand representatives are evasive about prices: “at the level of competitors in the premium segment” (that is, from 2 million rubles - approx. ed.). Too much depends on the swing of political and economic factors.
Northern tales and creative frameworks
Why wait so long for the new S60 - what interesting things has Volvo put into it? At a minimum, an original design with a bit of Scandinavian mythology, like the LED “Thor’s hammers” inscribed in the headlights. One can argue about tastes, but the Swedes managed to completely change the style of the model, maintaining a balance - the “sixty” is already dynamic, but still solid. A kind of intelligent sport, especially in the bright R-Design design.
There is a question about the interior - it is unified down to the smallest detail with other current Volvos like the XC60, S90, V90 or XC90. Boring, although consistent... It seems that the designers didn’t bother in a hurry - they took what was ready, only slightly changing the relief of the front panel and other overlays. On the other hand, a person for whom the new S60 will be the first modern Volvo in his personal fleet will find many non-standard solutions here.
Smartphone habits
Let's put it this way: from the old school in the "sixty" there is only a steering wheel, an automatic selector, a volume control and an emergency light switch. The engine is started not by a banal button, but by turning the “crystal” boss. The drum next to it with the same textured notch is responsible for selecting driving modes. And the rest is virtual. The driver interacts with the car through the Sensus interface: a customizable instrument cluster display and a nine-inch tablet slightly turned toward the person behind the wheel in the center of the cabin (basic equipment, by the way).
S60 Inscription
S60 R-Design
The display quite annoys aesthetes with its sloppy fingerprints, but, as they say, it is intuitive to use: you won’t have to change your smartphone habits. The home screen is divided into main functional sections - navigation, music... Touched the silhouette of a man below - he got into the climate control zone, swiped to the side - he ended up in the car systems menu, down - he opened a page of deep settings. I pressed the center button and returned to the main page. In theory, you don’t even need to poke at the glass: the sensors detect the approach of your finger even before touching. But this requires skill, and if you are too lazy to make an extra “click”, communicate by voice - Sensus understands spoken language.
R-interior: don't squeeze the ceiling handles
We weren't allowed to drive the base S60, but the R-Design sedan also pleased us with its interior trim. The front panel is wrapped in leather, where there is none - textured aluminum inserts protrude. Even the curtains that mask the cup holders and niches on the central tunnel are covered with metal. There is a minimum of bare plastic, and even that is mostly soft. Therefore, it is strange that the glove compartment lid seems to have been taken from another car. Cheap and weightless, made of echoing hard polymer, it clearly stands out from the general feeling of quality. Just like ceiling handles with sharp seams that dig into the palm. But the chairs from the R-line are good. Although the deep and dense “buckets” are devoid of ventilation, they are pampered with many adjustments and provide unobtrusive fixation of the body: if you want, drive like a hooligan, if you are in a calm mood, the steering wheels are relaxed.
S60 Inscription
S60 R-Design
Rear passengers are forced to bend down when boarding by the low doorway. At the same time, it is unexpectedly spacious inside. It’s just that it’s a bit cramped for the feet if the front seats are set to the lowest position. Otherwise, there is enough space in all directions. There is a folding armrest, separate climate control, and a 230 V socket is hidden behind a sliding curtain (an alternative is a regular 12-volt socket). At the same time, for the whole car we counted only two USB ports in the center armrest - this is despite the high-tech surroundings. Incomprehensible savings...
The trunk is long, wide, but low. Volume - 392 liters with a “re-roll” under the floor or 442 liters with a repair kitOn the go: Swedish confidence
In the third generation, the S60 finally got rid of the Ford heritage. The platform is now its own - modular SPA (Scalable Product Architecture), previously featured on many Volvos, from crossovers of various formats to the flagship S90 sedan. Let us remind you that this “trolley” in the base includes a transversely located 4-cylinder power unit, a double-wishbone aluminum suspension at the front and a multi-link on a composite spring at the rear. Moreover, the Swedes not only had the courage to use an atypical design, but also the ability to configure it correctly. There are minimal complaints - on 19-inch wheels with 235/40 tires, the “sixty” developed an allergy to the seams and joints of the coating, the comb, and other “sharp” irregularities. It doesn’t reach the point of breakdowns, but it shakes harshly to the point of hitting the steering wheel. And the Continental PremiumContact6 tires are clearly audible in the cabin, starting at city speeds.
S60 Inscription
S60 R-Design
The SPA platform is designed to use Four-C air suspension and adaptive shock absorbers, but the test S60 T6 AWD pleased us with its handling even without these tricksBut how tenaciously the “sixty” clings to the asphalt! We were lucky to find the hell of a perfectionist road builder near Los Angeles - a serpentine road through the hills, which was laid either while drunk, or as a preparation for a crazy roller coaster. Very short turns - before one has finished, it’s time to dive into another, three-dimensional terrain, negative slopes of the road surface in turns - not every chassis can withstand this. And it’s a thrill to drive a Volvo here. Moreover, there is no deliberate sport in the S60, even in Dynamic mode - the steering wheel is light, the suspension is not tooth-breaking. The car does not encourage you to fight the road, but complaisantly and confidently drives wherever the driver orders. The tires don’t squeal, the stability doesn’t jerk, the brakes don’t overheat—it’s pure peace of mind. The Swedes confirmed that this was the character that was intended. According to Volvo people, a driver's car is, first of all, confidence.
In modern fashion, the S60 received something like an autopilot. The Pilot Assist system confidently holds the lane at speeds of up to 130 km/h, takes smooth turns, accelerates and brakes the car. You just need to lightly hold the steering wheel, showing the electronics that the driver has not switched off. In the city, the City Safety active safety complex is useful - among other things, it is trained to auto-brake in front of pedestrians, large animals and oncoming traffic if there is a threat of collision
Hybrids instead of diesels
Only on such a curved road did the power unit need dynamic settings in order to eliminate delays in the operation of the eight-speed Aisin TG-81 automatic transmission. In other cases, the S60 copes successfully without electronic doping. In any case, this applies to the T6 version we tested with an all-wheel drive transmission based on a 5th generation BorgWarner multi-plate clutch (formerly Haldex) for connecting the rear wheels and a two-liter gasoline “four” under the hood. Using combined supercharging (turbo + mechanical compressor) and direct fuel injection, the engine was accelerated to 310 hp. (in European specification). The elasticity is even more impressive - 400 Nm is almost always available: from 2200 to 5100 rpm. And again, there is no sharpness and pickup in the manner of the “sixty”; the Volvo shoots in 5.6 seconds to 100 km/h “on the spot”, without fuss and smoke from under the wheels. For some reason, the small-volume engine even tries to growl like an adult, although it turns out feigned and unnatural. But this is a trifle; we can only be glad that in this configuration the S60 will definitely reach Russia.
Charged with crystal and gold details
In my opinion, the black color does not suit the “sixties” - it hides textures, lines, and the beauty of details. But the T8 Polestar Engineered is saved by yellow-gold accents - this is how powerful Brembo monoblock brakes are painted, visible through the original 20-inch wheels, seat belts and speakers of luxurious Bowers & Wilkins acoustics. The interior of the hybrid is arranged somewhat differently: since a 10.4 kWh lithium-ion battery was placed in the center, there are fewer capacities on the tunnel, and the eight-speed automatic transmission lever was replaced with a non-locking electronic selector. The transparent joystick made of Orrefors crystal looks cool, but it’s more difficult to use - you can’t, for example, go straight to D, you have to switch positions sequentially.
This happens in life: you drive ordinary cars and, it seems, you get used to their behavior in the “gas/brake” mode. But as soon as you get behind the wheel of a frankly powerful car, for some time you cannot understand why a weak, at first glance, touch of the accelerator pedal leads to instant depression muscle mass into the back of the chair.
You experience similar sensations when you find yourself behind the wheel of a Volvo S60 T5 AWD. I’ll say right away: this is not the most powerful version of the “sixty”, however, the characteristics of the 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine are, as they say, “for the eyes and ears.” At least for the reasons that the car goes from 100 to 100 in just 7 seconds. Actually, this is an indicator of a good, sporty hatchback, but before us is a car of a completely different type - a solid 4.6-meter business sedan, moreover, all-wheel drive.
Do you think it would be interesting for its successful owner to forget about his greatness and play “catch-up” on the road? In some cases, it is undeniable. Moreover, not only on weekends and outside the city. The “Te Fifth” engine has an impressive torque for a gasoline internal combustion engine - 360 Nm (the same, for example, in the 2-liter turbodiesel SY Actyon), which, thanks to the turbine, is achieved already in the low speed zone.
In practice, it looks something like this: you’ve been trailing for a block behind some run-of-the-mill Solaris, and as soon as there’s a gap ahead, you press the pedal to the floor... After a couple of seconds, the poor fellow already occupies the entire area of your outside mirror. This is the traction reserve that the T5 has in its arsenal.
As you can see in the photographs above, the test S60 in our hands is one of the restyled ones. This is the same car that appeared in Russian showrooms relatively recently. According to Volvo Car Russia, over 500 new cars have been sold in the country in just a couple of months. The T5 modification accounts for 20% of S60 sales, another 20% is shared between the T3 (150 hp) and T6 (304 hp) versions. The sales leader in this model line is the 180-horsepower T4. The data, I repeat, is fresh, but, as noted at Volvo’s Moscow headquarters, it completely repeats the balance of power for the pre-restyling S60.
Sellers say that buyers appreciated the work carried out by Volvo designers to rejuvenate the appearance. They may not be so radical, but they were quite fitting. The radiator grille has become wider and more aggressive, losing the chrome surround, and the Volvo logo has become larger. Headlights were also added in volume. The Swedes say that when designing the S60 optics, they imagined the eyes of a wolf, they say, with them the updated sedan received “a confident and focused look - like a strong beast that just needs to look at you without baring its fangs.”
The comparison is, of course, emotional and figurative, but it is far from new in the global auto industry. Let us at least remember the story of the Kia Quoris radiator grille, which its creators correlated with the mouth of a tiger. Anyway. De facto, the radiator itself is now painted in glossy black and is virtually invisible behind the grille. The rear of the S60 has also been transformed, receiving fashionable LED taillights.
There are innovations in the cabin as well. Now you will more often see leather and wood here, which, by the way, have a wider color palette than before. The dashboard became graphical, but personally this decision did not surprise me, because back in the spring I saw it on. It’s not bad, in any case, it’s convenient to read the readings of the operation of certain devices. In addition, there is a choice of 3 graphics modes: Elegance, Eco, Performance. And if anyone does not agree to see the graphic option in business class, they say, not because of their status, I can redirect them to a more luxurious one. Then a lot will become clear.
The quality of the interior finishing is up to par, without any “concrete” plastic. The interior is leather, the seats are comfortable enough: you can drive and not think that your butt or, say, your back will get tired. My test case included a heated steering wheel and windshield wiper nozzles, a rear view camera and a traditionally full range of safety systems, including the proven City Safety technology.
It was accompanied by a BLIS system paired with a cross-traffic warning system, an EBA emergency braking assistance system, a lane departure warning system and a number of other high-tech features that there is no great need to list.
And indeed: Volvo has stepped far forward in the “safe” direction, and plenty has been said about this. All of these systems, as I was convinced during the test, function, and I can say that I can’t describe any of them as useless: everything blinks, signals and sounds on time, so to speak, preventatively.
It is clear that the full “stuffing” is available only in the maximum configuration, which dealers usually put up for testing (in my case - Summum, from 1,489,000 rubles), but the car, excuse me, claims to be premium - with good equipment it looks , perhaps, more holistically. True, it’s a pity that for some reason there was no place for the sunroof and front parking camera in the test version...
According to Volvo Car Russia, it is the top trim level for the S60 that is most in demand (65% of sales). The second in consumer interest is Momentum (20%, from 1,379,000 rubles). The remaining 15% is divided between the starting version of Kinetic (1,329,000 rubles) and the R-Design package (1,589,000 rubles).
I don't know how the S60 R-Design drives, I'm guessing it's sharp. But even in a simple “jacket” the sedan is no slouch. In the autumn thaw, may the dealer forgive me, I drove the “sixty” through pits and puddles into the tail and mane - he should be damned. I just added more work to my beloved in terms of washing the body three times.
I believe that the positive impression of the driving capabilities of the S60 T5 AWD was largely influenced by this abbreviation - “AWD”. Under normal driving conditions, the automation provides 95% of the traction to the usual front axle, and fully loads the rear axle only when absolutely necessary.
You don’t seem to feel the intervention of the all-wheel drive, but this is all its “intelligence”. You can always be sure that on a straight line caught in the frost, not to mention the slippery foliage of a copse, all four wheels will respond in unison to you pressing the accelerator pedal. The suspension may be a bit harsh, but I think that’s how it should be when it comes as a “kit” with a turbocharged engine.
The engine turns willingly, and the 6-speed automatic transmission Geatronic is not stopping him from demonstrating his Scandinavian potential. The stabilization system allows you to detect a tendency to skid at a very early stage and makes it possible to more accurately perform sharp maneuvers. The Swedish sedan is inferior to its German competitors in the sharpness of its handling.
The hum in the cabin appears somewhere after “130”, but in my case, winter studded Gislavedas, which, of course, are not appropriate on dry asphalt, contributed to the confusion in the process of sound perception. Fuel consumption in the city turned out to be a little over 14 liters per “hundred”. This is adjusted for an average speed of 21 km/h. At the same time, branded performance characteristics give a different figure - 12.8 l/100 km. The truth, as usual, is somewhere nearby.
So, it’s hardly possible to come to a car dealership and immediately drive away in a Te Fifth. Sellers say that of the cars already available at the auto center site, most have been reserved. There is only one alternative to purchasing - to order. If you leave a request today, your car will arrive at the showroom in February 2014.
The warranty for the Volvo S60 is 2 years without mileage limitation. Maintenance - every 20,000 km or once a year. Oil change - after 60,000 km. Transport tax - approximately 18,000 rubles.
