The Volvo V60 makes its entry onto the car market with its sights firmly set on giving the all-new S60 sedan model a tough match over the title of “The Most Dynamic Volvo Model Ever”.
From the design viewpoint the focus was on making the car as close to a coupe as possible, while retaining that handy extra space at the rear. The sports wagon does not aim to compete with the traditional estate car. For the customer who wants a lot of load space, there is our V70 or XC70.
The pronounced wedge shape and the slim coupe-like roof line of the new V60 are accompanied by the shoulder profile along the car’s sides, creating a gentle yet powerful double wave from the headlamps at the front to the tail lamps at the rear.
The dip in the middle of the double wave visually pushes the car down. This enhances the stance and makes the car look sleeker and lower. The sculpted bonnet and the short overhangs front and rear also emphasize the sports car feel.
The all-new Volvo V60 R-Design comes with a range of specially developed design details both outside and in.
On the inside, the driver and front passenger sit in sports seats in which the backrest from the V60 is matched by an all-new seat cushion with even closer side support than before.
Volvo Cars’ chassis experts have taken the next step on the road to a more and more exciting driving experience. In the R-Design chassis they have sharpened the steering, the agility and the solid overall impression still further compared with the dynamic chassis in the all-new V60.
A styling pack gives the V60 buyer the opportunity to boost the sporty attitude still further. Available in the accessories range, the styling pack includes skid plates front and rear, a front decor trim, side scuff plates, special exhaust tailpipes and unique 18-inch wheels. The styling pack gives the car the robust look inspired by the ruggedness of the XC60.
Volvo’s designers obtained their inspiration from the racing track as they pursued the uncompromising sportiness inside the all-new S60. The graphic character of the racing track is clearly apparent in the instrument panel and in the doors. Every detail looks like it’s in motion. The instruments and centre stack are angled towards the driver to create a sensation of focus and control. The new dynamic three-spoke steering wheel and new sports seats with extra side supports are standard.
Beige and black are the main colors of the upholstery range, which is spiced up with the new highlight shade Beechwood Brown. The decor inlays are available in Charcoal, Shimmer Graphite aluminum or Urbane Wood.
Volvo Sensus is an excellent example of how Volvo Cars refines the driver environment. All information is presented on a five-inch or seven-inch color screen in the upper part of the centre stack. The screen is positioned high up to make it easy for the driver to keep his or hers eyes on the road. All the functions can be controlled via buttons built into the steering wheel or via touch buttons located just below the color screen.
If the customer chooses a multimedia audio system, Volvo Sensus comes upgraded with the larger seven-inch screen that also displays information and images from the navigation system, phone, reversing camera, panorama camera, DVD player, digital TV and so on.
TheBluetooth connection has been upgradedto allownot only hands-free phone conversationsbutalso music streaming from a preferred Bluetooth enabled portablemusic player. Volvo is actually the only brand to offer Bluetooth music streaming throughout the entire vehicle range.
New is also a mobile application that makes sure that the driver can stay in touch with the parked car via an iPhone or Android smart phone. The mobile application is an extension of Volvo on Call, which is presently available in 12 European countries plus Russia and Brazil.
Now, the system has been reinvented. Owners of all new Volvos from Model Year 2012 with Volvo on Call can download the new application that opens up a range of connectivity possibilities. The mobile app is free and downloaded via the iPhone and Android application stores. The app is designed to offer the owner an intuitive, easy-to-use relationship with the car from a distance.
The audio experience in the V60 has been enhanced compared with previous models. ?The most advanced system, Premium Sound, has a class-D digital 5x130W amplifier with circuits from Sweden’s Anaview, Dolby Digital in combination with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround, the award-winning MultEQ from Audyssey Laboratories and 12 loudspeakers.?In addition to the top-of-the line Premium Sound, the new V60 is available with a choice of three other audio systems.
Volvo Cars’ chassis experts have chiseled out the driving experience in the new Volvo V60 with the same passion and uncompromising approach that characterized the development of the all-new S60 sedan. The result is an authentic sports wagon with driving properties that do the sporty lines full justice.
The sports wagon can be specified with a choice of two chassis. On the European market the dynamic chassis is standard, while some other markets will have the touring chassis as standard with the dynamic variant available as an option.
The difference between the two chassis alternatives is to be found in the dampers and the front and rear sub frames. Here the touring variant has a somewhat softer setting to give a smoother ride on poorer road surfaces.
During the development process, the chassis team carved out a holistic solution featuring changes and refinements for virtually every single detail that influences a car’s driving properties. This includes improved steering, stiffer springs and bushes as well as more damping than in any previous Volvo.
All variants of the new S60 can be specified with the advanced, self-adjusting FOUR-C active chassis. The FOUR-C active chassis has been modified and refined to suit the dynamic character of the sports wagon.
The software in the AWD (All Wheel Drive) system has been modified to allow the four-wheel drive variants (four-wheel drive is standard in the T6 and optional with the D5) of the new Volvo V60 to exploit the sporty new chassis to the limit.
Like the all-new S60, the new V60 is fitted with Advanced Stability Control. With a new roll angle sensor, it is possible to identify any skidding tendency at a very early stage. Advanced Stability Control is a great asset in dynamic driving involving considerable lateral forces, thus improving handling and rapid avoidance maneuvers.
Corner Traction Control is a new feature that uses torque vectoring for smoother cornering. When cornering, the car’s inner driven wheel is braked at the same time as more power is transmitted to the outer driven wheel. This allows cornering more tightly while reducing any tendency to under steer.
The T6 petrol engine has a displacement of 3.0 liters and has been improved still further, primarily thanks to lower internal friction. It now pumps out 304 hp and no less than 440 Nm of torque. At the same time, Volvo Cars’ engine specialists have succeeded in cutting fuel consumption by about 10 percent to 10.2 l/100 km (EU Combined). The engine’s power is delivered to the wheels via Volvo’s second-generation six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission.
The all-new S60 is also available as a 2.0 GTDi (GTDi as in Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) variant (T5) producing 240 hp and torque of 320 Nm. Furthermore, there is a 1.6-litre GTDi engine available in two versions: 180 hp (T4) and 150 hp (T3) with torque of 240 Nm.?
The T5 and T4 are available in combination with Volvo’s automatic six-speed Power shift transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. The T3 comes with a manual gearbox.
In Model year 2012 the V60 gets the sharpened versions of the five-cylinder D5 and D3 turbo diesels.
In the D5 engine Volvo Car Corporation’s engine experts have boosting performance and torque from 205 hp/420 Nm to 215 hp and 440 Nm while at the same time reducing fuel consumption by eight percent. The quest for better drivability combined with lower fuel consumption and less environmental impact has led to increased focus on internal friction inside the engine.
The D3 remains at 163 hp and 400 Nm. However, the two-liter diesel engine’s drivability is now far improved thanks to fine-tuning of the turbocharger. This is an excellent example of the fact that efficiency enhancement in modern combustion engines is now taking place at microscopic levels.
The improved driving properties of the turbo diesels are accompanied by lower fuel consumption figures for both engines.
Fuel consumption (EU Combined) of a Volvo V60 D5 is now just 4,9 l/100 km (129 g/km) with the manual gearbox and 6,2 l/100 km (162 g/km) with the automatic. The corresponding figures for the D3 engine with manual gearbox are 5,1 l/100 km (132 g/km).
Both turbo diesels are available with six-speed automatic transmissions or a six-speed manual gearbox. The D5 can also be specified with all-wheel drive.
The DRIVe version features a 1.6-litre diesel engine and CO2 emissions at 119 g/km. The engine produces 115 hp and 270 Nm of torque, and will only be available with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake is a groundbreaking technological solution. It can detect pedestrians who walk into the road in front of the car, warn the driver - and automatically apply full braking power if the driver does not respond in time.
In an emergency situation the driver first receives an audible warning combined with a flashing light in the windscreen’s head-up display. At the same time, the car’s brakes are pre-charged. If the driver does not react to the warning and an accident is imminent, full braking power is automatically applied.?Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake can avoid a collision with a pedestrian at speeds of up to 35 km/h if the driver does not react in time.
Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake warns and automatically brakes if the car risks hitting another vehicle from behind.
In the field of comfort, there are features such as the optional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which automatically maintains a set gap to the vehicle in front. What is new is that the Adaptive Cruise Control operates at speeds below 30 km/h, all the way down to standstill (cars with automatic gearbox).
The V60 can naturally be equipped with parking sensors front and rear and a Park Assist camera at the rear. A camera in the front grille with a 180 field of vision is available as an option. This camera can ’see around the corner’ and helps the driver negotiate blind exits and park with greater safety.
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