Volvo S60 and V60 2013 Review

It therefore comes as no shock that the first significant update for the S60 sedan and V60 wagon would concentrate on active safety. The new models also introduce a frontal styling treatment that will carry the brand forward, and there are other niceties arriving with the update program – including new seats and the V40's Adaptive Digital Display.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

With the introduction of the facelifted models, prices for the R-Design models are unchanged, but other S60 models have increased in price in amounts ranging from $500-$1500, leaving the starting price for the entry-level S60 T4 (petrol) Kinetic $49,990.

V60 wagons have mostly come down in price, other than the R-Design models.

See full pricing for the S60 and V60 ranges here.

As the base level of trim, the Kinetic variants come equipped with 17-inch alloy Sadia wheels, single-disc CD audio system with eight speakers, seven-inch colour touch screen, Bluetooth with audio streaming, Aux/iPod/USB connectivity, multi-function leather-bound steering wheel and reversing camera with rear ultrasonic sensors.

Also featured as standard are cruise control, trip computer, rain-sensing wipers/auto headlights, electric windows/heated door mirrors, an illuminated gear knob, electric parking brake and electric adjustment for driver's seat (with memory). Puddle lights, follow-me-home lighting, climate control and remote central locking are also standard for the Kinetic models and the over grades also.

Luxury grade variants are fitted with 18-inch Titania alloys and, in addition to the standard Kinetic specification, also feature voice control/satellite navigation, electrically-adjustable front passenger seat, woodgrain trim, 'silk' metal inlay for steering wheel, bright trim on front spoiler, xenon headlights, alarm and keyless entry/Personal Car Communicator.

R-Design models are specified with 18-inch alloy wheels in Ixion design. The wheels complement the standard sport chassis, shift paddles, sports seats with perforated leather upholstery, R-Design styling treatment for floor mats/centre console/steering wheel/gearshift/headlining/sports pedals and body kit with rear spoiler.

There's an extensive optional equipment list for the S60 and V60, ranging from premium audio to the Driver Support Pack (See SAFETY below) and including sunroof, heated seats, decorative inlays, up to nine different alloy wheel designs, enhanced interior lighting, Clean Zone interior package and laminated side windows – to name a few.

PACKAGING
>> Minor changes, but spaciousness isn't among them
Packaging and mechanicals are largely unchanged from the pre-facelift model, which basically means reasonable head and knee room for adults in the rear, and face-level heating and cooling vents in the B pillars for rear-seat occupants.

Other comments: the finger-pull for the parking brake is initially hard to find, on the lower side of the dash between steering wheel and door; and the sequential-shift detente could be snappier if it were not 'soft-damped'. That alone makes the new shift paddles in the T6 worthwhile.

The seats are new in the S60 and V60 – and they're very good. Based on previous review comments, the new cars' seats seem to have liberated a little more space in the rear. It no longer feels as cosy back there.

The other significant change to the interior of the updated models is the Adaptive Digital Display that is a concept shared with the V40 hatch. To be frank, the different 'moods' seem like a bit of a gimmick, but the instrument readout is clear and easy to use.

Volvo has resorted to a space-saver spare wheel and jack for the S60 and V60.

One word concerning the new frontal styling of the S60 and V60: it hasn't exactly been hit with the ugly stick, but the front apron does look a little bland. Volvo was unable to say whether the new styling made the car more aerodynamic or enhanced pedestrian safety.

MECHANICAL

Only the T6 turbo petrol-engined variants feature all-wheel drive, with all other models in the range driving through the front wheels.

The T4 models are powered by a turbocharged and direct-injected 1.6-litre petrol four-cylinder engine, rated at 7.4L/100km in combined-cycle testing and producing 132kW and 240Nm. Volvo reserves just one transmission for each drivetrain variant, the T4 model coming with a six-speed Powershift (dual-clutch) unit.

D4 models produce 120kW and 400Nm from the 2.0-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel powerplant, which uses 5.9L/100km in combined-cycle testing. This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic with torque converter.

Sharing the same engine architecture with Ford's Falcon EcoBoost engine, the T5 models' turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine musters 177kW and 320Nm, and the fuel consumption figure is 8.6L/100km. The one and only transmission available for the T5s is the six-speed Powershift transmission.

Topping the range, the high-performance T6 models are powered by the same 3.0-litre turbocharged six, rated at 242kW, 480Nm and a fuel consumption figure of 10.2L/100km. T6 models are exclusively all-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic.

Both sedan and wagon are mechanically identical, with MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link independent system behind, complemented by an electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion set-up.

SAFETY

Volvo Australia was uncertain as to whether there was any need for safety engineering to comply with new European pedestrian safety legislation. We were told that the S60/V60 pedestrian protection had already achieved a high standard when tested by Euro NCAP last year – yet the V60 was rated at 64 per cent for pedestrian safety, versus 78 per cent for the BMW 3 Series.

Nonetheless, it's still a five-star car – and that's primarily what buyers want to know.

The new active safety technology builds on Volvo's City Safety concept of braking to avoid collision with vehicles suddenly stopped in front. With an intermediate step along the way to distinguish pedestrians from motor vehicles, Volvo has now developed Cyclist Detection, to separate cyclists from pedestrians AND motor vehicles. The new feature draws on Full Auto Brake and operates at speeds up to 50km/h.

Volvo was one of the first car companies to develop blind spot detection technology and has refined its Blind Spot Information System in the latest S60 and V60; now reliant on radar in the rear bumper corners. The manufacturer regards radar as more reliable than cameras once the weather turns inclement, and the radar also powers two other active safety functions: Cross-Traffic Alert and Lane Keeping Aid.

These advanced safety features are optional across the S60 and V60 range, but City Safety remains standard. The Driver Alert System (incorporating Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Active High Beam Control, Forward Collision Warning and Road Sign Information) costs $2075 extra.

Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake (including Queue Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection as well as Driver Alert System) is priced at $6250. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) costs $1275.

Volvo has packaged all these features together in the one option – which also includes front parking sensors and electrochromatic exterior mirrors – named the Driver Support Pack and priced at $5000.

Facelifted models in the Luxury and R-Design grades are fitted with xenon headlights, which incorporate Active High Beam and Active Bending Lights. LED Daytime Running Lights are situated in the corners of the front airdam.

COMPETITORS

As far as VFACTS is concerned, the Volvos are sub-$60,000 models, which is true of the entire range other than diesel Luxury variants and the R-Design models. In contrast, all the competitors listed above – including the Volkswagen – are segmented above $60,000. That segment also includes the Citroen DS5 recently tested, despite that car's price being well under $60,000 and a closer rival in some ways for the Volvo S60.

ON THE ROAD

Two different flavours of Volvo were sampled for the drive program – S60 powered by the D4 engine and trimmed to the mid-range Luxury grade, and a base-grade V60 Kinetic with T5 petrol engine under the bonnet.

There was a brief opportunity to try the S60 T6 R-Design too. This car remains my favourite in the range, but it's a sportier drive, with more tyre noise for instance and it's a little gruffer, but in an enjoyable way. You would live with that for the exceptional grip and the stonking six-cylinder engine.

The day began behind the wheel of the diesel S60 Luxury. Riding on 18-inch alloys, the mid-range sedan was heavier at the wheel and slower to turn in. That was almost certainly a consequence of more weight in the front end, although Volvo's listed weights indicate the D4 sedan is actually lighter than the T5 wagon. Perhaps the wagon's weight distribution helps.

Whatever the case, the diesel-engined S60 tended to understeer on slower corners and while its grip and handling met the appropriate standard, the petrol-engined V60 – with much the same engine as in Ford's EcoBoost Falcon – was by a significant margin a livelier drive... 17-inch wheels or not.

Steering in the petrol wagon was lighter, but still provided good feedback and the engine's power delivery made for a better match to the suspension tuning. Ride comfort on the smaller wheels was also better, but while the S60 Luxury was firmer in its suspension settings, it wasn't harsh as such. That said, both cars were occasionally susceptible to skipping over mid-corner bumps, but the base model wagon with petrol engine and dual-clutch PowerShift transmission felt significantly more capable in corners.

Fuel consumption for the diesel over the course of the drive program was 7.9L/100km, versus the 11.1L/100km for the petrol engine – which was granted being driven in a more spritely manner. The diesel's frugality was offset by its lower performance in overtaking situations. It would get there eventually, while the petrol engine galloped away.

Refinement is commendable in both cars. The diesel in the Luxury grade sedan was very subdued. There was little to none of the conventional diesel vibration often experienced at low revs and right across the rev range the engine was impressively quiet. The same could be said of road noise suppression too. Tyre noise on stretches of country road was more apparent in the entry-level V60 Kinetic, but was still worthy of praise. In the S60 Luxury variant the tyres were quiet indeed.

All that said, however, the Kinetic variants retain a level of charm, particularly with the T5 engine.

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