Volvo V60 Labeled as a Lifestyle Wagon by Consumer Reports

The Volvo V60 Wagon looks very different from traditional boxy Volvo wagons, and Consumer Reports’ Tom Mutchler believes that’s a good thing from a styling point of view. However, when it comes to practicality, the V60 doesn’t live up to its predecessors. That’s why Consumer Reports see the V60 more as a lifestyle wagon.

Volvo Unveils Global Production Versions of S60 and V60 Polestar with 345HP

Following a mysterious teaser earlier this month, we now know what Polestar was preparing for today: the world debut of the Volvo V60 and S60 Polestar production cars. Based on the pre-facelift S60 Polestar for Australia, with which they share the powertrain, the new Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar also sport the latest restyling of Volvo’s mid-size sedan and wagon.

Obviously, the big news is the V60 Polestar, which Volvo considers a successor to the racing 850 BTCC. The wagon retains the styling cues of the standard V60, but adds muscular features like the aggressive bumpers with splitter at the front, 20-inch Polestar wheels, rear spoiler and diffuser. The same aerodynamic package is seen on the S60 Polestar as well, with the exception of the rear spoiler, which is obviously placed on the boot and not on the roof.

The interior sports an understated theme, bringing new details, materials and Polestar colors on the steering wheel, seats and more.

The new S60 and V60 Polestar are powered by the six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine that produces 345hp (350PS) at 5,700 rpm and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque from 2,800 rpm. The unit is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox featuring a new paddle shift system that sends power to all four wheels through the Polestar developed Haldex four-wheel drive system.

Performance comes as a natural consequence of the above-mentioned figures, with 0 to 100 km/h taking 4.9 seconds for both models and top speed being limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Volvo says the gearbox, four-wheel drive system and traction control system have been recalibrated to provide “an active driving experience and maximum grip in all situations.”

Other upgrades include 80 percent stiffer springs compared to the S60/V60 R-Design, high-performance Öhlins shock absorbers, 371-mm (14.6-in) ventilated front brake discs and six-piston Brembo calipers, among others.

The two high-performance models will go on sale on four continents starting next year, in countries including Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA. Further markets and final production numbers will be revealed next year. Deliveries start in June 2014.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Volvo Starts Production of the S60L in China Ahead of the Car’s Debut on November 21

In order to do well in China, automakers have to consider making at least one long-wheelbase model. Chinese-owned Volvo knows that very well and has just started series production of the new S60L, a longer version of its S60 sedan, at its manufacturing plant in Chengdu, China. The long-wheelbase S60L will premiere at the Guangzhou Motor Show on November 21.

The first car to roll off the production line was a 'Seashell'-colored S60L. Volvo sees China as its second home market after Sweden, so building cars tailored for the world’s largest car market, such as the S60L, is essential for the premium car manufacturer’s long-term strategy and business plan. The carmaker targets global sales of 800,000 a year by 2020.

Volvo’s sales in China have been strong so far this year, with retail deliveries up over 40 percent compared with the same period in 2012. The most successful models are the XC60, S60 and V60, with the V40 also being received very well by Chinese customers. There are over 150 Volvo dealerships in China at the moment, up from around 100 two years ago.

“We are truly firing on all cylinders in China,” said Lars Danielson, Senior Vice President Volvo Cars China Operations. “The official start of series production in Chengdu is only the latest of many milestones we have achieved in recent years,” he added.

Volvo also has an engine plant in Zhangjiakou that has become operational this autumn. In total, the company has over 2,000 employees in China, around half of whom work at the Volvo Cars China headquarters in Shanghai. 

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

Volvo Sends 508hp S60 Polestar Performance Concept to Russia

For a car that has already been sold to an unidentified American buyer for the paltry sum of $300,000 or the equivalent of a BMW M5 ($89,000) sedan, a Porsche 991 Carrera Convertible ($93,700) and a Corvette ZR1 ($112,600), the one-off Volvo S60 Polestar Performance Concept is sure racking up a lot of miles.
On the other hand, the buyer had been informed by Volvo officials that he would receive the car only after Polestar finishes promoting it to the media and the public.

New Volvo S60 Coupe-Convertible Photo Real?

A supposedly leaked picture of a Volvo S60 Coupe-Convertible based on the new sedan model, said to have been shot during some sort of internal presentation, has been making the internet rounds this morning.

However, in this day and age of photoshop wizardry, you can't trust everything you see on the web. And judging from the picture of the standard S60 saloon that you can check out after the jump, we have serious doubts about its authenticity.

New Volvo V60 Sports Wagon: 2011 S60 gets Practical

Revealed ahead of its Paris Motor Show debut, the all-new Volvo V60 is the estate version of the recently launched 2011 S60 sedan. Aimed almost squarely at European buyers as Volvo projects that "no less than 90 percent" of the annual V60 production of 50,000 cars will find a home in Europe, the sporty-looking estate model will go on sale this fall.

Volvo describes the low slung V60 as a sports wagon with a coupe-like roofline. "The typical sports wagon customer is an S60 buyer who would like some extra space and flexibility, but without the slightest compromise on sporty design and exciting driving properties," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell.

However, Volvo's focus on looks come with a cost as the V60's boot space is a mere 430 liters with the rear seats up. That's compared to 460lt of the BMW 3-Series Touring, 485lt of the Mercedes C-Class Estate and 490lt of the Audi A4 Avant. The car will come equipped with a 40/20/40-split rear seat and the fold-flat front passenger seat.

Volvo Unveils S60 Performance Concept with 330HP

Volvo’s Australian arm has pulled the wraps off a conceptual performance version of its S60 sedan. Based on the S60 T6 R Design, the S60 Performance Concept is an Australian initiative and utilizes two partnerships within the Volvo family - Polestar and Heico - for some very discreet upgrades.

One More Time: Volvo Recalls 2012MY S60 Sedans to Fix Fuel Pumps Again

For the second time in a month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Volvo is recalling certain 2012 model year S60 sedans because of a potential problem with the fuel pump assembly. This time, the recall affects 448 S60 saloons built from January 18, 2011, through January 28, 2011.
The Swedish automaker informed the safety agency that the male part of the fuel line quick connector end shape was produced with dimensions out of specification and could detach from the engine. If this were to occur, the engine could stall while the driver may also notice a fuel smell and leakage, which could result in a fire.

Volvo Boosts Output in 2012 S60 and XC60 R-Design Models

At the 2011 New York Auto Show, Volvo announced that the 2012 S60 R-Design sedan and XC60 R-Design crossover will receive significant horsepower and torque increases when they go on sale in the U.S. late this summer.
Both the S60 and XC60 R-Design models are powered by Volvo's most potent six-cylinder unit, the turbocharged T6 engine. Thanks to a series of upgrades, the T6 in the 2012MYs produces 325 horsepower and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque, an increase of 21 horses and 29 lb-ft (39 Nm) of torque compared to 2011 R-Design models. Maximum torque is now achieved from 3,000 rpm and remains available throughout the rev range.

Watch a Volvo S60 Being Sprayed with Graffiti by Street Artists

Volvo Art Session is the name of an experiment done by Volvo Cars Switzerland, in which ten street artists were provided with an S60 sedan that they could use as a canvas to create different designs.

Volvo Adds Fuel-Efficient DRIVe Variants to S60 and V60 Range

Volvo is expanding its S60 and V60 lineup in Europe with the introduction of more fuel efficient DRIVe variants. Both versions use the upgraded 1.6-liter diesel engine that complies with the Euro 5 standard and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The S60 and V60 DRIVe models also benefit from the use of a start/stop system, with the end result being low fuel consumption and reduced emissions.

Volvo's 2011 S60 Slips into its Racing Uniform

If you're searching for a...really naughty version of the 2011 Volvo S60, then look no further than to this race-spec model that's being readied for track by K-PAX Racing to defend the team's 2010 World Challenge GT Manufacturers′ and Drivers′ champion titles. The K-PAX team is preparing two all-wheel drive S60s, which will make their debut at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, in late April, for the fourth round of the World Challenge schedule.

Volvo V60 Diesel-Electric Plug-in Hybrid Returns 125 MPG, will Debut at Geneva Show

* Standard 2011 Volvo V60 shown in photos

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show will host the world premiere of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, a near production-ready model that is said to return a very impressive 125 mpg US (1.9 lt/100 km), with CO2 emissions under 50 g/km. In order to achieve this, engineers entered a new variable into the plug-in hybrid equation: a diesel engine.

U.S.-spec 2012 Volvo S60 T5 Gets Lower Base Price, Special Introductory Lease Rate

Volvo's US division has dropped prices for the S60 T5 FWD model, which starts at $30,795, excluding an $875 destination fee. That’s $450 less than the previous base price. The updated offer is also accompanied by a special introductory lease rate plan of $299/month, available until February 28, 2011.

VIDEO: Race Driver Fast Laps NZ Circuit in New Volvo S60 Blindfolded!

And you thought your latest weekend track race was adrenaline-filled... Enter the realm of Jonny Reid, one of New Zealand's top racing drivers. The 27-year-old Kiwi put a brand new 2011 Volvo S60 to the test around Hampton Downs raceway in Auckland. Nothing spectacular there you say? How about if we told you that he did it blindfolded? Yes, that's right; the young racing driver couldn't see a thing.
According to the promo event's organizers, it took Reid more than one try but in the end, he managed to return a lap time of 1:28 with a top speed of 193km/h (119 mph). "He was guided only by the feel of the car, his knowledge of the track, and co-driver Earl Bamber's voice," said Volvo. Pretty neat, though we're not sure who was the bravest of the two; the driver or the co-driver... Scroll down to watch the clips.

Heico Sportiv Tricks Out the All-New Volvo V60

Come later this month at the Essen Motor Show (26th November - 5th December 2010) in Germany, Volvo tuning specialist Heico Sportive will unveil its performance and styling bits for the Swedish automaker's all-new V60. The tuning program for the station wagon model carries the same upgrades as the S60 sedan.

Volvo UK Releases Prices on V60 Sports Wagon and R-Design Models

The new Volvo V60 won't be arriving in the UK before December, but today, the Swedish automaker released pricing and announced that it has begun accepting orders for the so-called sports wagon model.

FAIL No2: Volvo V60 Safety System Flub Ends with a Dead Dummy Named Bob

This is officially the second safety system demonstration in as many "Look at this!" announcements that has gone horribly wrong for Volvo. That's right, two. The first one was back in May and led to a new S60 estate crushing itself into the back of a truck - see the video here. This latest mishap occurred during a media demonstration to Australian journalists in Europe.

Paris Preshow: New Volvo S60 and V60 R-Design

Volvo is trying to further enhance the appeal of its new 2011 S60 sedan and V60 station wagon models with the presentation of a new R-Design styling and handling package that will be available in autumn 2010. The Swedish firm's take on the BMW M Sport and Audi S-Line kits combines sporty visual upgrades inside and out, and a tweaked chassis for a sharper drive.

Volvo Launches Limited Edition S60 T6 Design 330HP by Heico Sportiv

Hot on the heels from last week's presentation of Heico Sportiv's tuning program for the new S60, Volvo's European division today announced the launch of a limited edition version of the T6 sedan model, all spruced up by the tuning specialists at Heico Sportiv. Only 100 units of the Black Sapphire metallic special edition will be available in Europe, each priced at €63,968, equivalent to US$82,000. We assume pricing is for the German market, since Volvo did not get into any specific details.