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LIFE BEGINS AT SIXTY

Models Covered: (4dr saloon, 2.0, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 petrol, 2.4 diesel 2.4 Bifuel [ S, SE])

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

The Volvo S60 marked a sea change for the Swedish company. Smaller Volvos had never really cut it in the eyes of British customers – being viewed with the same suspicion afforded large Italian saloons, peripatetic driveway layers, Eastern European bicycles and 99p all-you-can-eat Cantonese buffets. The S60 was the first compact Volvo to seriously threaten the German establishment – a tough nut to crack by any means. As a used proposition, the S60 looks to offer many of Volvo’s traditionally sensible values whilst injecting a dash of Scandinavian style into the equation. Should a nearly-new Mercedes C-class, Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series fail to appeal, the S60 should most definitely be on your shortlist.

The S60 arrived in the UK in October 2000 and to all intents and purposes replicated the success of its bigger sibling, the S80, only in a more compact form. The same rounded hips and the bluff grille hinted at a Volvo design theme that looked to have some legs, and the car was warmly, if not rapturously, received by most who sampled it. Certainly the lines suited the smaller car superbly and customers were drawn to a range that initially consisted of a base 180bhp 2.0-litre turbo, a 200bhp 2.4-litre turbo and the mighty 250bhp 2.3-litre turbocharged T5. The D5 diesel version of the 2.4-litre engine arrived in 2001 alongside a dual-fuel version of this engine, at a swoop making the S60 one of the most economical cars in the compact executive class. All models are available in either S or SE trim. In 2003 Volvo launched a 300bhp version, the S60 R. With all wheel drive and a turbocharged five cylinder 2.5-litre engine, the R was capable of hitting 60mph in 5.5 seconds and run onto a top speed of 155mph. Shortly thereafter, Volvo dropped the 200bhp 2.4T engine in favour of the 210bhp 2.5T and made a few minor detail changes to the car. The fascia were now finished in charcoal grey and there were some more aerodynamic mirrors that cut down on wind noise at speed. Changes brought in during the summer of 2006 aimed to make the S60 a sportier proposition. The suspension was heavily revised while alterations to the grille and bumpers gave a more aggressive look. Spot these cars by the indicators integrated into the wing mirrors. By this time, diesel buyers had a choice of the 163bhp 2.4D or the 185bhp D5 unit.

This is an all-out sports saloon, aimed squarely at prestige compact executive rivals like BMW’s 3 Series, Mercedes’ C-class and the Lexus IS200. British designer Peter Horbury’s brief was to create a saloon that looked like a Coupe front and rear - in his words "a Ferrari you could get in and out of" – and the result is one that should sit snugly in the boardroom carpark amongst the massed ranks of Mercedes’, BMWs and Audis. It’s unmistakably a Volvo: check the C70-style rear three-quarter view, the V70 front end and the distinctive S80 ‘catwalk’ shoulders which run the entire length of the car. Yet somehow, there’s a sense of style and spirit we’ve not seen from Gothenburg in the past. Much the same is also true inside, though the cabin draws heavily on the approach already used in the S80 and V70 models. Here however, there’s a sportier feel, courtesy of the three-spoke leather-covered wheel, the bucket seats and, on T5 manual models, a ‘spaceball’ gearlever surround (an aluminium dome that pivots beneath the stick). Probably more significant than all that however, is the amount of space you’ll find in the rear, thanks to a ‘cab-forward’ design which has freed up more space for those on the back seat. Three people will fit but Volvo expects many customers to opt for a special two-seater rear bench with more sculpted, supportive seating for a couple of adults. Safety of course, remained uppermost in the designers’ minds throughout development: Volvo may have ditched many of its marque values in recent years but it can’t afford to lose this one. Hence the inclusion on every model of dual-stage airbags for front driver and passenger, SIPS (the company’s patented Side Impact Protections System) with side airbags, WHIPS (the Whiplash Protection System), an inflatable curtain to save your head from smashing against the side glass and five three-point seatbelts.

Prices for the Volvo S60 kick off at around £6,600 for a 2000 X-plated 2.0T S model with SE trim adding another £400. The powerful 2.4-litre cars are thinner on the ground, and expect to budget around £7,900 whilst the first T5 models have suffered a steeper depreciation hit and are currently changing hands at around £7,500 for a late 2000 model. Prices for D5 diesel models start at £8,700. Insurance for the S60 is inexpensive, due in no small part to Volvo’s enviable safety record and, to a certain extent, the demographic profile of its customer base. The 2.0-litre and diesel models fall into Group 14 while the 2.4-litre cars are rated at Group 15 and the rocketship T5 model is rated at a surprising Group 16. That’s one group lower than the significantly less powerful BMW 330i.

It’s a Volvo. You tell us.

(approx based on a 2000 T5) Middle of the road prices for this compact executive flier. A clutch assembly is around £190, whilst an exhaust system is in the region of £400. Thin front brake pads will require the thick end of £60, whilst rears are £40 a pair. A new alternator will require alternate plans for £180, but a new starter motor is a fairly reasonable £120. A replacement headlamp is £180.

As part of Ford’s Premier Auto Group, Volvo has a responsibility to not only offer class-leading safety and environmental performance – the S60 had to be a winner on the road. In certain respects, most notably when considering £ per bhp, it succeeds admirably. Take the entry-level 2.0-litre turbo model, with 180bhp. Faster and generally better equipped than all of its direct rivals, it’s also much cheaper than rival German marques: cars like the 163bhp Mercedes C200K or the 170bhp BMW 320i. In fact, you could probably afford to step up to the S60 2.4T and still save money. Here, there’s 200bhp on tap, enabling the rest to sixty sprint to be dispatched in just 7.6s on the way to 143mph: that’s a useful improvement on the already rapid 2.0-litre version (8.8s and 140mph). The 2.5T that replaced it is even more impressive. Next up is the 250bhp T5 SE, capable of sixty in just 7.0s on the way to 155mph. To rival this kind of performance, you’ll need either a BMW 330i or a Mercedes C320: either way, expect to spend between £6,000 more on a dealer’s forecourt. And just to drive home this advantage, a 300bhp T5R is available for those who really like their Volvos quick. If you’d like to cut your fuel bills you can even opt for an LPG or CNG powered Bi-Fuel model that’s dramatically more cost effective and is even greener to boot. The 163bhp S60 D5 diesel version acquits itself superbly, especially as its Volvo’s first in-house stab at a diesel engine. Capable of hitting 60mph in 9.2 seconds on the way to 130mph, it will still return an average of 47mpg. This unit was demoted in the range hierarchy and rechristened the 2.4D with the 185bhp D5 introduced to take its place as the oil-burning range-topper. But then, we’ve seen powerful Volvos before. Cars that floundered when it came to the twisty stuff. The old S70, for example, never really qualified as a true sports saloon, even in its most bespoilered forms. Is this car different? Handling has much to do with body stiffness – as anyone who tried to make an S70 change direction at speed will testify. Without it, you can make the springs as stiff as you like: it won’t make much difference. Hence the need for a completely new approach, aided by the use of the impressive platform already developed for the larger S80 saloon and the new V70 estate. In the case of the S60, this has allowed for a 70% improvement in torsional rigidity. The provision of such a strong foundation enabled much else to be achieved. Take the suspension, tuned to deliver progressive movement, rather than lurching forward or back during heavy acceleration or braking. Over and above this, two ride set-ups are available, tuned for either comfort or handling response. There’s also a ‘wheel-at-each-corner’ design with reduced overhangs that lower the polar movement of inertia, enabling sharper steering responses and a crisper turn-in. Plus there are the usual electronic aids. All models get Volvo’s STC Stability and Traction Control system, plus there’s the (sadly optional) DSTC active anti-skid programme: enter a corner too fast and it automatically cuts in, reducing the throttle and selectively applying the brakes. If you’re thinking of trading a four-wheel drive Audi in for a Volvo S60, finding a model with DSTC could well ease the acclimatisation process, especially in the wet…

Like countrymen Saab, Volvo offer a beguiling blend of big horsepower and sound practicality. If you’re the sort who understands the subtler nuances of left-foot braking, lift-off oversteer and heel and toe gearchanging, the S60 probably won’t be your thing. If you’re after solidly built and effortlessly quick transport that makes everything else look a little contrived, the S60 comes up trumps. A basic 2.0t looks to be the pick of the range, at least until the D5 model starts fetching sensible money.

MAKE EVERYDAY A D-DAY
The Entry-Level 2.4-Litre Diesel Engine In Volvo’s S60 Shows How Far Oil-Burning Technology Has Come. Steve Walker Reports…

The advent of common-rail technology has revolutionised the way we think about diesel engines and Volvo have felt the change as much as any manufacturer. At the last count, 60% of Volvo’s customers chose a diesel engine to power their new vehicle. Where once ear defenders were standard equipment for driving a diesel car and gas masks were a sensible precaution for anyone following one, oil-burners are now both quiet and clean. That’s not to say that there isn’t still room for improvement though. Having got the basics right, the logical progression for diesel is to up the anti with more power, hence the 163bhp diesel unit which now forms the entry-level point in the S60 diesel Range.

That’s right, we’re discussing an entry-level diesel engine here, one with over 160bhp. It wasn’t so long ago that 163bhp would have been an ample output for a Range-topping unit. Indeed, a version of this 2.4-litre 5-cylinder common-rail injection engine with the same power rating used to be the top dog so far as S60 oil-burners were concerned and 163bhp is still more than many rivals can muster. Times change and Volvo obviously saw themselves falling off the pace in the performance diesel stakes so they took steps to bring the S60 back to the head of the pack. The S60 diesel Range used to be comprised of one solitary engine, the 163bhp D5. Now buyers have two options to consider. Both are upgraded versions of this old D5 unit featuring improvements in the engine management system, better turbochargers and fuel injectors, revised combustion systems and new diesel particulate filters. The engine we’re focusing on here has the same 163bhp output as the old D5 but the D5 mantle has now been passed to a 185bhp unit which is more competitive against performance diesel models from rival marques.

"The S60’s mission in life is to elbow its way into contention in the compact executive sector…"

In everyday driving, the reduction in NVH (noise vibration and harshness) that Volvo’s engineers strived for is tangible and there’s also a more sprightly reaction when you put your foot down. The old D5 unit could cover the sprint to 60mph in 9.5s but the improved 2.4D engine performs the same feat in 9.2s. The torque rating remains unchanged at a muscular 340Nm but that maximum is available over a slightly narrower rev band – from 1,200 to 2,750rpm instead of to 3,000rpm with the old unit. The claimed average fuel consumption is actually the same whether you opt for this 2.4D engine or the Range-topping 185bhp D5 at 42.8mpg but both cars are marginally inferior to the old 163bhp D5 on this score. Of all the improvements Volvo have made to their 2.4-litre diesel, the ones that have rendered it Euro IV-compliant will be amongst the most salient for company car users. Unlike the old Euro III engines, these revised units raise the prospect of saving 3% on your Benefit In Kind taxation burden and that can mean a healthy yearly saving. Where the old Euro III car chugged out 166g/km of CO2, today’s powerplant emits 174g/km but levels of particulates in the exhaust gasses have been cut – so those of us without a company car allowance get the satisfaction of knowing our car is doing that little bit more to keep the planet in good shape. The 2.4D engine is available in all five S60 trim levels. Initially it comes down to a straight choice between the S model at £22,395, the Sport at a £1,850 premium or the SE which costs £650 on top of that. Then there’s the SE Sport to consider at £26,695 or the SE Lux for £450 more. Even the lowly S models come well-equipped with cruise control, dual-zone climate control, 16" alloys, electric windows and mirrors, a leather steering wheel, a 6-speaker CD stereo and the DSTC stability and traction control system. The Sport adds bigger 17" alloy wheels, lower front and rear valances, side mouldings and a subtle rear spoiler. Intriguingly, you also get an interior that’s upholstered in something called Nordborg. Apparently, it combines the benefits of leather and textiles so, surely, that must be worth the extra money on its own. The SE goes a little more luxurious, adding leather upholstery, a fancy 9-speaker stereo and some tastefully applied chrome inserts amongst other things. The S60’s mission in life is to elbow its way into contention in the compact executive sector but the list of models which have tried and failed to do the same is long and fairly illustrious. The fact that it isn’t German is a problem that no amount of sausages on the menu in the Volvo staff canteen or lederhosen theme nights in dealerships are likely to fix but otherwise the S60 is a solid product. As usual with Volvos, build quality is good and the S60 is a highly comfortable car to cover long distances in. If you’re comparing it with the BMW 3-Series’ of this world, it lacks quite the same sharp responses and sporty feel but recent upgrades to the chassis have helped in this regard and the difference isn’t as great as it once was.. The Compact Executive saloon class can, in reality, be split into two sections: the Germans (BMW 3 Series/Audi A4/Mercedes C-class) and everyone else (think Jaguar X-TYPE, Saab 9-3 and Lexus IS). Against comparable cars in this second sector, the 163bhp 2.4D S60 looks tightly priced and offers a power advantage. In other words, buyers keen to go for the Volvo should have no problem in justifying their decision.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Volvo S60 2.4D Range PRICES: £22,395 - £27,145 INSURANCE GROUP: 14E CO2 EMISSIONS: 174g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 9.2s / Max Speed 130mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 31.4 (extra urban) 54.3 (combined) 42.8mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, side airbags, side impact curtains WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4576/1804/1428mm

HANDLE WITH FLAIR?
Volvo has responded to accusations that its S60 executive saloon isn’t sporty enough with a round of dynamic revisions. Andy Enright reports…

As consumers, we’re becoming worryingly attached to over-engineering. Think about it for a moment. How often will you expose your watch to the 100m underwater depths it’s been designed to withstand? My mountain bike has a carbon fibre frame which is possibly overkill for nipping up the shops to pick up a pint of milk and the papers. Yet everywhere we look, we buy things that are ludicrously over-specified for their task and nowhere more so than with our cars. Volvo’s latest S60 is a prime example. The old car was perfectly good but the market has deemed it not sporty enough so Volvo has gone away and made a bunch of revisions aimed at making the car feel sportier.

Let’s pause for a moment and consider the word ‘sporty.’ It peppers manufacturer promotional material. Sporty is good. If your car can be deemed sporty, it will sell even if sportiness has been endowed by merely tacking on alloy wheels, a set of spoilers, a chicken wire grille and white dials. It all counts. But why do we need our cars to be sporty in the first instance? Even the least sporty cars on the market can still be fun to drive. I suspect the blame may reside with people like me. I’ll let you in on a little secret here. There’s barely a motoring journalist who, if they weren’t endowed with such a paucity of talent, wouldn’t want to be a racing driver. Some even turn up at track tests with their own monogrammed race overalls. It’s all a bit embarrassing really. When they test cars, they test them to different criteria than the average buyer and have rather lost touch with what makes a customer buy. Or have they? It seems that the press is warping customer needs round to their way of thinking. Tight rebound damping is more important than whether you can afford the insurance premium and a sharp steering rack counts for more than the ability to fit your kids in the back. In making the latest S60 more sporty, is Volvo guilty of trying to play BMW at its own game? Shouldn’t the company instead concentrate on its core values of safety, family and the environment? It’s a debatable point. Certainly the latest S60 is a good deal more composed if you want to play the Touring Car driver, with firmer shock absorbers front and rear and 24 per cent stiffer springs. The front and rear anti-roll bars have been beefed up and solid bushes improve steering feel while reducing torque steer. The Volvo active Four-C chassis (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) based on the very rapid (but now deleted) S60R variant is also available on the latest S60. This offers Comfort and Sport modes switchable at the touch of a button. So far, so sporty.

"Whether you agree with the sporty philosophy or not, the S60 has emerged as a very credible contender"

There are a few design touches that have been altered with the front end looking a little more aggressive thanks to a lower front spoiler, a bigger grille and a more pronounced Volvo ‘iron mark’ badge in the centre. The door mirrors now house the side indicators, there are Active Bi-Xenon headlights that swivel to show the way ahead and a revised selection of alloy wheel designs. The cabin has also come in for a sprucing but this was always the S60’s strong point so not a whole lot needed doing. Now you’ll find satin chrome inlays on the air vents, switches, column stalks and on the steering wheel with grid aluminium inlays for the doors and dashboard. The sports steering wheel offered features perforated leather and silver inserts while the sport gear knob and handbrake are also perforated leather. Optional Imola sports leather upholstery with two grades of hide in contrasting colours will doubtless prove popular. All the latest S60 models have improved specifications, with cruise control standard on all models, while the Sport models gain chronograph instrument dials, speed dependent power steering, leather sports steering wheel and sports spaceball gear knob. Prices start at £19,995. The S60 always did have one of the more generous power outputs in its class whichever model you opted for and the engine line up carries on largely unchanged. This means a 2.4D five-cylinder diesel rated at 163bhp and a D5 variant good for 185bhp. Both are Euro IV emissions-compatible. The fire-breathing 2.4-litre T5 generates 260bhp and boasts a peak torque of 350Nm. This is a car capable of notching off the sprint to 60mph in 6.3 seconds. The S60 still undercuts most of its rivals. Take the entry-level 2.0-litre turbo model, with 180bhp. It’s faster and generally better equipped than rival German marques: cars like the 163bhp Mercedes C200K or the 170bhp BMW 320i. In fact, you could probably afford to step up to the S60 2.5T S and still save money to spare. Here, there’s 210bhp on tap, enabling the rest to sixty sprint to be dispatched in just 7s on the way to 146mph: that’s a useful improvement on the already rapid 2.0-litre version (8.8s and 140mph). Occupying the middle of the range are the Sport derivatives. Available with both the 2.0 and the 2.5 engines, these models can be found displaying lowered suspension, 17" alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Next up is the 260bhp T5. To rival this car’s performance, you’ll need either a BMW 330i or a Mercedes C350: either way, expect to spend between £4,000-£6,000 more. The 185bhp S60 D5 diesel version acquits itself superbly, especially as its Volvo’s first in-house stab at a diesel engine. Capable of hitting 60mph in 9.2 seconds on the way to 130mph, it will still return an average of 47mpg. The S60 really didn’t need to get sporty. It’s a bit like seeing your aunt getting into rap music. You just want her to be your aunt. Despite that, it’s hard not to agree that Volvo has built a better car but question the direction the company is going. Volvo already has a very strong brand identity and aping the German marques will only serve to dilute it. Let’s hope this is as sporty as mainstream S60s get.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Volvo S60 range PRICES: £19,995-£26,270 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 15-17 CO2 EMISSIONS: 174-212g/km PERFORMANCE: [2.0T] 0-60mph 8.2s / Max Speed 140mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0T] (urban) 22.8mpg / (extra urban) 40.9mpg / (combined) 31.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver & passenger front & side airbags, inflatable curtain, ABS, STC WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4576/1804/1428mm

THE BUSINESS
Business User-Choosers Are Increasing Opting For Less Fleet-Orientated Choices When It Comes To Selecting And Paying For Their Own Business Transport. Here’s One Of Them, Volvo’s Under-Rated S60 Saloon. Jonathan Crouch Has Been Spending Time At The Wheel

Life as a rep isn’t so bad these days. The quality of the Little Chefs is better. There’s the Birmingham Toll Road to make cross-country commuting more bearable. And the standard of the kind of medium Range motor the fleet manager’s likely to give you for the journey has changed beyond recognition.

Think back ten years – then ten years before that. Motorway marathons were things you psyched yourself up for with a stock of Mars bars and a few bottles of Red Bull. No longer. At the wheel of a car like our Volvo S60 saloon, you’ve the kind of luxury normally reserved for Managers higher up the career ladder. Of course it helps that the version we tried was the powerful diesel D5 equipped with most of the toys any executive might desire. Having said that, even the most basic repmobile these days comes with things like air conditioning, front and side airbags and a decent stereo. To these things, our S60 test car added power steering, leather trim, a CD player, ABS with EBD, central locking, an LCD instrument panel and body-coloured addenda. It’s well equipped, as we said. As for the price, well this particular version is priced from £23,255. Despite the S60 saloon’s boot appearing something of a vestigial appendage, flip it’s lid and you’ll find a gaping chasm capable of swallowing an amount which, to put things into perspective, isn’t far off that of a BMW 5 Series and more than you’ll find in the back of, say, an Audi A4 or a BMW 3 Series.

"To overlook the S60 as a compact alternative for the executive user-chooser would be a mistake. Any Sales Rep who’s tried one will tell you that….."

Five versions of the S60 are offered in D5 guise. Initially, there’s the S entry-level version at £23,255, the sporty Sport at £25,105 and the more luxurious SE trim which weighs in at £25,755. Then you have the £27,555 SE Sport and the Range-topping SE Lux for £28,005. All of these feature an equipment list that includes cruise control, 16" alloy wheels, a CD player, cruise control, wood-effect trim and an upholstery upgrade. The SE weighs in with additional leather, chrome and other extras. There are airbags everywhere: two at the front and two at the side, all of which have been programmed to activate less aggressively. Plus there's an inflatable curtain which covers the side windows and protects the occupant's head in a lateral impact. Giving all 185bhp their head is certainly an impressive exercise as, unlike so many diesel engines, there’s a useable amount of flexibility to be had near the top end of the rev band - although a bit of a dip exists at the bottom end. So, a diesel that revs like a decent petrol engine and sounds like one too – does it have the performance to match? To be frank, no it doesn’t. Those chaps at Volvo may be clever but they can’t manage the impossible, especially when you factor in the S60 D5’s 47mpg average economy figure. Still a sprint to 60mph in 8.2 seconds is hardly lethargic and a top speed of 143mph will be enough for all but the most gimlet-eyed autobahn stormers. The S60 D5 is, however, a car for the long run, its 15.4-gallon fuel tank giving it a cruising Range of over 925 miles - a distance that could be covered for less than £65 in fuel! The main focus of the last set of changes brought to the S60 package was that of boosting the car’s sportiness, both actual and perceived. The Dynamic chassis was introduced across the Range with revised components, while Sport models get a Sport chassis and the SE Sport derivatives benefit from the active Four-C set-up. Outside, indicators are integrated into the larger mirrors, there’s a low front spoiler and the grille has a wide chrome surround. Inside, there’s more chrome and aluminium detailing with cruise control standard on all models. In a compact executive saloon market sector dominated these days by excellence, it’s easy for motoring journalists and Fleet Managers alike to ignore manufacturers like Volvo when considering alternative choices for business user-choosers seeking an alternative compact car choice. That would be a mistake. Any sales rep who’s tried an S60 will tell you that.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Volvo S60 2.4-litre D5 diesel Range PRICES: £23,255-£28,005 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 14 CO2 EMISSIONS: 171g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.2s / Max Speed 143mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 34.4 (extra urban) 60.1 (combined) 47.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, side airbags, side impact curtains WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4576/1804/1428mm

LESS IS MORE
Volvo’s entry-level S60 offers more power for a lot less money than its rivals. Jonathan Crouch reports

Buying an entry-level version of one of those prestigious compact executive saloons can be a disappointing experience. On the way to the showroom, the picture you have in your mind is likely to be of one of the top six cylinder versions. So it’s a bit of a shock to get behind the wheel of the model you can actually afford and discover four cylinder power and a rather Spartan feel to the interior.

If proof were needed that the market leaders, BMW and Mercedes, can no longer afford to treat entry-level buyers in this way, Volvo’s most affordable £19,995 S60 2.0T provides it. With five cylinders and a turbocharger, the power output is a useful 180bhp, a decidedly impressive figure when you look at what else you can get for that money. Audi’s A4 2.0 SE manages 130bhp and Mercedes’ pricey C180 Classic has 143bhp. Before we go any further, time for a quick recap on the state of play. The S60 was launched late in 2000 by Volvo as the company’s first really competitive offering in the lucrative compact executive saloon sector. The critics more or less unanimously agreed that the handling dynamics aren’t quite a match for the class leaders but that they get close enough for the needs of most. Ride and refinement, on the other hand, were as good as you’ll find anywhere. Volvo is learning fast and they recently demonstrated this by bringing a package of revisions to bear on the S60 range. The main focus of the changes was to increase the S60’s sportiness, both actual and perceived. The Dynamic chassis was introduced across the range with revised components while Sport models get a Sport chassis and the SE Sport derivatives benefit from the active Four-C set-up. Outside, indicators are integrated into the larger mirrors, there’s a low front spoiler and the grille has a wide chrome surround. Inside, there’s more chrome and aluminium detailing with cruise control standard on all models.

"If proof were needed that the market leaders can no longer afford to treat entry-level buyers to poorly performing models, the S60 2.0T provides it..."

Unless you’re a handling purist, the 2.0-litre turbocharged S60’s vast reserves of extra power will more than make up for its ultimate lack of total finesse. The chassis revisions have sharpened up its act but this is still no 3-Series and for buyers prioritising comfort, that will be viewed as a good thing. Sixty from rest is dispatched in just 8.8s on the way to 140mph: not bad for an entry-level model. Particularly when you compare figures from the BMW and the Mercedes. Only the Volvo’s rather cumbersome gearchange and slightly inert steering detract from the fun. Individuals owning one of the rivals we’ve mentioned may well try to criticise the Volvo’s use of a turbocharged powerplant, talking of turbo lag and power that arrives all in a rush. Don’t listen – they’re living in the past. This is a modern light pressure turbocharged engine with a 20-valve head. Pretty much all its urge is on offer from as low as 2,400rpm right up to 5,200rpm. Which means that you don’t have to keep swapping down the gearbox in town, nor is it always necessary to change down a cog to overtake on the open road. Even the fuel economy’s acceptable: you should average around 30mpg. All in all, a pretty impressive stab at the compact executive market from Gothenburg. So how has Volvo done it? Well handling has much to do with body stiffness – as anyone who tried to make an S70 change direction at speed will testify. Without it, you can make the springs as stiff as you like: it won’t make much difference. Hence the need in the S60 for a completely new approach, aided by the use of a platform developed for the larger S80 saloon and the V70 estate. In the case of the S60, this has allowed for a 70% improvement in torsional rigidity over the previous generation car. The provision of such a strong foundation has enabled much else to be achieved. Take the suspension, now tuned to deliver progressive movement, rather than lurching forward or back during heavy acceleration or braking. Over and above this, the two ride set-ups allow buyers to choose a car that’s tuned for either comfort or handling response. Alternatively, they can go for the adaptive Four-C system which can be set into either comfort or sport modes. The ‘wheel-at-each-corner’ design also helps with reduced overhangs that lower the polar movement of inertia, enabling sharper steering responses and a crisper turn-in. Plus there are the usual electronic aids. Like all S60 models, this 2.0T gets Volvo’s STC Stability and Traction Control system, plus there’s the (sadly optional) DSTC active anti-skid programme: enter a corner too fast and it automatically cuts in, reducing the throttle and selectively applying the brakes. Of course, as you’d expect, this car is as safe and solid as ever - though the associated weight has not, for once, compromised its sporting pretensions. And don’t bother asking about an estate: there won’t be one. Volvo has an unparalleled reputation for safety and the S60 harbours yet another Volvo safety innovation that will doubtless find its way into many other rival cars. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) acts much like an extra set of eyes and utilizes digital camera technology mounted in the door mirrors to monitor the areas 3m to each side and up to 9.5m behind the driver. If a vehicle enters this area, a symbol appears on the windscreen pillar near the rear view mirror to indicate that something’s there when you take a quick look towards the mirror. Active at speeds above 10km/h, this system isn’t the only safety benefit buyers of the latest S60 enjoy. Special water repellent glass is fitted to the mirrors and side windows. Water beads up on the glass and the airstream quickly clears it, leaving unimpeded visibility. This S60 has a lot going for it. Power, equipment, relative exclusivity. With the sharper dynamics of the latest cars, it’s a better drive too. As it is, the S60 2.0T represents a challenge the executive establishment can’t afford to ignore.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Volvo S60 2.0T PRICES: £19,995-£23,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 15 CO2 EMISSIONS: 212g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.8s / Max Speed 140mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 22.1mpg / (extra urban) 39.8mpg / 30.7mpg(combined) mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver & passenger front & side airbags, inflatable curtain, ABS, STC WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4576/1804/1428mm

TAKING T AT SIXTY
Volvo’s Traditionally Older Clientele Aren’t The Only Ones Likely To Be Tempted By The S60 T5, Thinks Jonathan Crouch…

On paper at least, the argument for Volvo’s S60 T5 is a pretty compelling one. For what seems a pretty reasonable £26,745, it offers a huge 260bhp output – much more power than any of its German rivals can muster for similar money. Yet in a market as image and badge-conscious as the compact executive saloon sector, sheer power and value are never quite enough.

Volvo has discovered this to its cost in the past, with turbocharged versions of its mainstream models that all failed to quite make the grade. This applied as much to the twisty stuff as it did to the golf club carpark. But things are changing. The latest S60 is winning the marque a whole new kind of customer. The kind who would never have previously considered buying one of the company’s cars. As the S60 line-up’s mainstream flagship, this T5 clearly has an important role to play in this process. Yes, it has slightly more power than BMW’s rival 258bhp 330i. Yes, it costs thousands less and offers a higher specification. More important however, is the way it handles, the first Volvo to get anywhere near the Bavarian car in this respect. A revised chassis has moved it closer still to Germany’s finest while a power boost also helped performance. Thanks to the change from the old 2.3-litre engine up to 2.4-litres, an extra 10bhp was made available. This uped the peak power to a not inconsequential 260bhp and peak torque also rose to 350Nm (up from 330). Naturally, this had an effect on the performance figures, the S60 T5 managing the sprint to 60mph 0.3 seconds quicker than before at 6.3 seconds and Volvo being Volvo, the brakes were also beefed up to cope with the additional urge. Yes, you can buy a 300bhp S60 R, priced from £34,965, but this is a specialist tool and most will feel that the more pliant suspension and 260bhp punch of the T5 represents a more usable everyday alternative. Not that Volvo has ever quite mastered the sporting saloon genre. On the road, the S60 T5’s handling response certainly isn’t quite as pin-sharp as the all-conquering 3-Series, despite the recent upgrades to springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. Nevertheless, it’s quite good enough to match other direct rivals like Mercedes’ C-class and Audi’s A4. It could be even better too: the chassis is certainly more capable than the slightly vague steering gives it credit for.

"There’s a sense of style and spirit we’ve not seen from Gothenburg in the past…."

So how has Volvo done it? Well handling has much to do with body stiffness – as anyone who tried to make an S70 change direction at speed will testify. Without it, you can make the springs as stiff as you like: it won’t make much difference. Hence the need in the S60 for a completely new approach, aided by the use of a platform developed for the larger S80 saloon and the V70 estate. In the case of the S60, this has allowed for a 70% improvement in torsional rigidity over the previous generation car. The provision of such a strong foundation has enabled much else to be achieved. Take the suspension, now tuned to deliver progressive movement, rather than lurching forward or back during heavy acceleration or braking. Over and above this, the two ride set-ups allow buyers to choose a car that’s tuned for either comfort or handling response. Alternatively, they can go for the adaptive Four-C system which can be set into either comfort or sport modes. The ‘wheel-at-each-corner’ design also helps with reduced overhangs that lower the polar movement of inertia, enabling sharper steering responses and a crisper turn-in. Plus there are the usual electronic aids. Like all S60 models, this 2.0T gets Volvo’s STC Stability and Traction Control system, Plus there’s the (sadly optional) DSTC active anti-skid programme: enter a corner too fast and it automatically cuts in, reducing the throttle and selectively applying the brakes. The main focus of the changes brought to this S60 was to increase the car’s sportiness, both actual and perceived. The Dynamic chassis was introduced across the Range with revised components while Sport models get a Sport chassis and the SE Sport derivatives benefit from the active Four-C set-up. Outside, indicators are integrated into the larger mirrors, there’s a low front spoiler and the grille has a wide chrome surround. Inside, there’s more chrome and aluminium detailing with cruise control standard on all models. Volvo has an unparalleled reputation for safety and the S60 harbours yet another Volvo safety innovation that will doubtless find its way into many other rival cars. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) acts much like an extra set of eyes and utilizes digital camera technology mounted in the door mirrors to monitor the areas 3m to each side and up to 9.5m behind the driver. If a vehicle enters this area, a symbol appears on the windscreen pillar near the rear view mirror to indicate that something’s there when you take a quick look towards the mirror. Active at speeds above 10km/h, this system isn’t the only safety benefit buyers of the latest S60 enjoy. Special water repellent glass is fitted to the mirrors and side windows. Water beads up on the glass and the airstream quickly clears it, leaving unimpeded visibility. It’s obvious that safety remained formost in the designers’ minds throughout the S60’s development: Volvo may have ditched many of its marque values in recent years but it can’t afford to lose this one. Hence the inclusion on every model of dual-stage airbags for front driver and passenger, SIPS (the company’s patented Side Impact Protections System) with side airbags, WHIPS (the Whiplash Protection System), an inflatable curtain to save your head from smashing against the side glass and five three-point seatbelts. Without any doubt, the S60 T5 is one of the most convincing driver’s cars the marque has yet made. Certainly, this is a car that serious drivers can’t ignore.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Volvo S60 T5 PRICES: £26,745 - £29,645 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 16 CO2 EMISSIONS: 222g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 6.3s / Max Speed 150mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 28mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver & passenger front & side airbags, inflatable curtain, ABS, STC WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4576/1804/1428mm

A LITTLE MORE OF WHAT YOU FANCY
Volvo’s S60 2.5T Represents A Potent Threat To The Compact Executive Elite. Andy Enright Reports

What’s the going output for a decently powerful compact executive car these days? 190bhp seems a good estimate, being the figure boasted by the benchmark BMW 325i. Of course, more is always better and you could fork out over £26,000 for the Audi A4 3.0-litre, not such a big step from the £25,000 BMW but still a lot of lolly. Fortunately a credible alternative exists. Realising that in this corner of the market, power often has a direct correlation with sales, Volvo ditched the 200bhp 2.4-litre S60 model and ratcheted the pressure up with this 210bhp 2.5-litre turbocharged car. Priced aggressively from £22,810 with a recent package of upgrades in tow, it poses serious questions for its German rivals.

The 2.5-litre engine takes a big step forward in performance terms over its 2.4-litre predecessor. Although a 10bhp power hike sounds rather insignificant when dealing with this amount of horsepower, the 0-60 time has tumbled from 7.4 seconds to 6.8 seconds, putting the Volvo in the premier league of sprinters. The best part of the deal is that the emissions showing of 220g/km and the combined fuel economy figure of 30.7mpg remain unchanged. Although having your smorgasbord and eating it may seem appealing, Volvo have only tacked a couple of hundred pounds onto the price, keeping the S60 2.5T comparatively affordable. Five versions are offered. Initially, there’s the S entry-level version at £22,810, the sporty Sport at £24,660 and the more luxurious SE trim which weighs in at £25,310. Then you have the £27,110 SE Sport and the Range-topping SE Lux for £27,560. Of course, motoring purists will say that in likening a Volvo to a BMW, eggs are not being compared with eggs. Whereas the BMW offers rear wheel drive and a normally aspirated engine, the Swedish car resorts to turbocharging and deploys its power through the front wheels, suggesting that corners are being cut in an attempt to gain a cheap advantage. Indeed, drive the cars at ten-tenths and you may come away with the impression that BMW builds a superior product. Unfortunately, driving in this manner on the public highway will also mean waving goodbye to your licence and few would plump for a BMW 318i as their ideal trackday weapon. In the areas that really matter, such as overtaking a caravan, pulling into traffic from a slip road or using the accelerator to avoid the usual mini roundabout maniac, the Volvo’s additional urge over a comparatively priced BMW 3 Series will have most drivers plumping for the S60 every time.

"The 10bhp power hike elevates the Volvo to the premier league of sprinters"

This is a modern low pressure turbocharged engine with a 20-valve head. Pretty much all its urge is on offer from as low as 2,400rpm right up to 5,200rpm. Which means that you don’t have to keep swapping down the gearbox in town, nor is it always necessary to change down a cog to overtake on the open road. Like all S60 models, this 2.5T gets Volvo’s STC Stability and Traction Control system, Plus there’s the (sadly optional) DSTC active anti-skid programme: enter a corner too fast and it automatically cuts in, reducing the throttle and selectively applying the brakes. Of course, as you’d expect, this car is as safe and solid as ever - though the associated weight has not, for once, compromised its sporting pretensions. And don’t bother asking about an estate: there won’t be one. The main focus of the last set of changes brought to the S60 package was that of boosting the car’s sportiness, both actual and perceived. The Dynamic chassis was introduced across the Range with revised components, while Sport models get a Sport chassis and the SE Sport derivatives benefit from the active Four-C set-up. Outside, indicators are integrated into the larger mirrors, there’s a low front spoiler and the grille has a wide chrome surround. Inside, there’s more chrome and aluminium detailing with cruise control standard on all models. Volvo has an unparalled reputation for safety and the S60 harbours yet another Volvo safety innovation that will doubtless find its way into many other rival cars. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) acts much like an extra set of eyes and utilizes digital camera technology mounted in the door mirrors to monitor the areas 3m to each side and up to 9.5m behind the driver. If a vehicle enters this area, a symbol appears on the windscreen pillar near the rear view mirror to indicate that something’s there when you take a quick look towards the mirror. Active at speeds above 10km/h, this system isn’t the only safety benefit buyers of the latest S60 enjoy. Special water repellent glass is fitted to the mirrors and side windows. Water beads up on the glass and the airstream quickly clears it, leaving unimpeded visibility. The Volvo S60 is a car that has gradually gained favour with a growing number of compact executive customers and it’s even better in its latest form. It’s not flashy and it doesn’t need the big sell. The 2.5T models talk quietly but carry a big stick and give the establishment a severe headache. If power corrupts, consider me thoroughly corrupted.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Volvo S60 2.5T PRICES: £22,810-£27,560 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 15 CO2 EMISSIONS: 220g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 6.8s / Max Speed 146mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 30.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver & passenger front & side airbags, inflatable curtain, ABS, STC WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4576/1804/1428mm

D-DAY LANDING
Volvo’s Latest Common Rail Diesel Engine Has Landed. Andy Enright Runs The Rule Over The 185bhp S60 D5….

Whilst the Volvo S60 has brought a decent fight to the class-leading BMW 3 Series, it crashed and burned quite badly when it comes to competing for the growing diesel market. Not only was the BMW cleaning up, but the Swedes were offering nothing in reply. Anxious to rectify this fundamental oversight, Volvo responded, and how, with the S60 D5.

Anxious to do even better, the Swedes upped the ante a while back, boosting this engine from 163 to 185bhp and introducing a 163bhp 2.4D unit for those on more of a budget. Both engines are of course Euro IV-compliant. The original 163bhp D5 was the first ever in-house manufactured Volvo diesel engine. Yes, we’ve seen Volvo diesels before, but they were relatively low-tech units compared to the resolutely modern D5 and were based on designs from other companies such as Renault. In order to compete in the big league, Volvo needed something special. Being part of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group would have given them access to some cutting-edge diesel expertise, and although it’s not known if Volvo went a-knocking on the door of Ford Dagenham’s Centre for Diesel Excellence, they seem to have got their take on the diesel revolution suspiciously right first time.

"The engine takes on an impressive, albeit muted, induction roar like a very powerful petrol unit."

Loosely based on their 2.4-litre all aluminium five-cylinder petrol engine, the D5 has received additional strengthening to cope with the torque loading and stresses of a diesel unit. Talking torque, this latest D5 generates a healthy 400Nm at just 1750rpm, which is comparable with the 260bhp S60 T5 petrol unit and comfortably more than a Mercedes E350. Don’t be tempted to think that this amount of lugging power comes at the expense of refinement. Twist the key and you’ll get a slight thrum that’ll remind you which pump to pull up at but nothing that’s going to make you invest in an uprated stereo system to drown out the din. On a par with the better diesels from Audi and Mercedes, if not quite BMW standard, engine noise is well controlled even when ascending the rev Range, when the engine takes on an impressive, albeit muted, induction roar like a very powerful petrol unit. Giving all 185bhp their head is certainly an impressive exercise as, unlike so many diesel engines, there’s a useable amount of flexibility to be had near the top end of the rev band - although a bit of a dip exists at the bottom end. So, a diesel that revs like a decent petrol engine and sounds like one too – does it have the performance to match? To be frank, no it doesn’t. Those chaps at Volvo may be clever but they can’t manage the impossible, especially when you factor in the S60 D5’s 47mpg average economy figure. Still a sprint to 60mph in 8.2 seconds is hardly lethargic and a top speed of 143mph will be enough for all but the most gimlet-eyed autobahn stormers. The S60 D5 is, however, a car for the long run, it’s 15.4-gallon fuel tank giving it a cruising Range of over 925 miles - a distance that could be covered for less than £65 in fuel! The D5 engine features a number of firsts. Not only was it Volvo’s first stab at an oil burner, but it was also the first to use Bosch’s second-generation common rail fuel injection system boasting higher injector pressures. This means a more consistent injection cycle, better fuel economy and fewer emissions. It was also the first diesel engine to feature electronically controlled Exhaust Gas Recirculation, which reduces harmful nitrous oxide emissions, and is also fitted with a Variable Nozzle Turbine which claims to extract boost pressure even at low revs. Five versions are offered. Initially, there’s the S entry-level version at £23,255, the sporty Sport at £25,105 and the more luxurious SE trim which weighs in at £25,755. Then you have the £27,555 SE Sport and the Range-topping SE Lux for £28,005. All of these feature an equipment list that includes cruise control, 16" alloy wheels, a CD player, cruise control, wood-effect trim and an upholstery upgrade. The SE weighs in with additional leather, chrome and other extras. There are airbags everywhere: two at the front and two at the side, all of which have been programmed to activate less aggressively. Plus there's an inflatable curtain which covers the side windows and protects the occupant's head in a lateral impact. The main focus of the last set of changes brought to the S60 package was that of boosting the car’s sportiness, both actual and perceived. The Dynamic chassis was introduced across the Range with revised components, while Sport models get a Sport chassis and the SE Sport derivatives benefit from the active Four-C set-up. Outside, indicators are integrated into the larger mirrors, there’s a low front spoiler and the grille has a wide chrome surround. Inside, there’s more chrome and aluminium detailing with cruise control standard on all models. Volvo has an unparalled reputation for safety and the S60 harbours yet another Volvo safety innovation that will doubtless find its way into many other rival cars. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) acts much like an extra set of eyes and utilizes digital camera technology mounted in the door mirrors to monitor the areas 3m to each side and up to 9.5m behind the driver. If a vehicle enters this area, a symbol appears on the windscreen pillar near the rear view mirror to indicate that something’s there when you take a quick look towards the mirror. Active at speeds above 10km/h, this system isn’t the only safety benefit buyers of the latest S60 enjoy. Special water repellent glass is fitted to the mirrors and side windows. Water beads up on the glass and the airstream quickly clears it, leaving unimpeded visibility. The Volvo S60 has been quietly mopping up significant numbers of executive car floating voters, the sort fed up with the no-brainer predictability of BMW/Audi/Mercedes. By ticking the ‘I do not agree’ box and opting for the S60 they’ve found a car that offers a gentler charm with no little panache. The D5 versions make more sense than any other and give competent performance, fuel economy and refinement. In sticking the bullseye with its first dart, Volvo jumped straight into the big league and are up against some heavy hitters. Such is the excellence of the all-round product, you wouldn’t bet against them…

Facts At A Glance CAR: Volvo S60 2.4-litre D5 diesel Range PRICES: £23,255-£28,005 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 14 CO2 EMISSIONS: 171g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.2s / Max Speed 143mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 34.4 (extra urban) 60.1 (combined) 47.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, side airbags, side impact curtains WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4576/1804/1428mm