The brand new Volvo S60, which can go on sale in early 2021, is a direct rival to the BMW 3 Collection, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. Whereas the sooner, second-generation automotive (discontinued in July 2019) was powered by a diesel and a petroleum, this new third era S60 will solely come powered by one engine, a 190hp petrol. So what must you anticipate of Volvo’s new S60; other than the ironmark emblem, the orthopaedically examined seats and the most effective security programs? Learn on.
The third-gen S60 will go on sale by January 2021.
What’s the Volvo S60?
Let’s begin with the sharp-cut appears to be like, which regardless of being derived from the bigger S90, are undeniably engaging. As earlier, the intense chrome workup entrance will get your consideration first, after which what helps maintain your gaze are the ‘Thor’s hammer’ headlights and neatly executed however sporty chin. Additionally lending loads of enchantment is the lengthy, elegant bonnet with its distinctive ‘V’, and what provides to the sporty enchantment is the truth that the cabin is about nicely again and positioned inset of the shoulderline.
The ‘Thor’s hammer’ headlights are notably eye-catching.
There’s an fascinating kink on the base of the C pillar, highlighted fantastically in chrome, and across the again, the big, bracket-like tail-lights actually get your consideration. However right here too, the rear appears to be like nearly similar to the S90. Want it have been simpler to tell apart one automotive from the opposite; it might have given this automotive an identification all its personal.
Constructed on Volvo’s Scalable Platform Structure, the 4,761mm lengthy S60 is, apparently, additionally the one automotive in its class to make use of a transversely mounted engine. The two.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol produces 190hp and 300Nm, and drives the entrance wheels by way of an eight-speed computerized. The brand new S60 additionally options three drive modes – Consolation, Eco and Dynamic.
Now Volvo is legendary for passive security, and this automotive will get an Euro NCAP five-star score, however there’s additionally a complete host of energetic security options, and we get nearly all of them. Stuff like adaptive cruise management, radar- and sonar-based emergency braking and avoidance (it helps steer you away), lane-keeping help and Pilot Help as nicely; the latter a semi-autonomous mode.
The S60 will get Volvo’s Pilot Help semi-autonomous driving tech.
What’s the Volvo S60 like on the within?
Settle into the S60 and you’re instantly put comfy; this clearly is a automotive that units out to decrease your pulse fairly than excite you. The seats are giant and really comfortable, the entrance of the cabin is pretty roomy, and regardless of the slot-like windscreen (and the excessive sprint), visibility over the lengthy bonnet is sweet too.
Visibility out the entrance is sweet and high quality of materitals within the cabin is excessive.
What you are taking discover of subsequent is the prime quality on the within. No, the doorpads aren’t constructed to the identical excessive requirements as on the XC90 and the all-black trim is a bit dreary, however what offers the S60 cabin a large elevate are the acres of high-quality leather-based, the soft-touch sprint that feels nice to run your fingers alongside and, with Volvo providing you with almost the identical plastic and chrome qualityas lots of its dearer automobiles, the feel-good issue contained in the cabin is large. I completely love the chrome prospers on the large volume-control knob, the shutters on the centre console really feel superbly constructed and even the steering has a strong, built-to-last really feel.
Factor is, the S60 appears to be like like nearly another Volvo on the within. And whereas the tablet-style touchscreen works nicely for essentially the most half, there are not any bodily controls for vital stuff just like the air-conditioning. So adjusting the fan pace on the transfer is troublesome to perform in a secure method, after which there’s the truth that many of the icons are small and laborious to hit precisely on the transfer. The display, nonetheless, is sharp and clear, contact performance is sweet and because it has a black background, it doesn’t dazzle you at evening.
The display is sharp and clear and the contact performance works nicely.
The brand new S60 additionally has a good quantity of area within the rear. Legroom on the whole is greater than enough, your chauffeur can take the powered entrance passenger seat ahead (by deciding on a button on the touchscreen) and the big sunroof brightens up the rear of the cabin to such an extent, it type of makes up for the rising beltline. You might be, nonetheless, sat low, along with your knees up, and the central tunnel is pretty giant, so sitting three abreast can be troublesome. The backrest is sweet and supportive although, and the digital air-con controls on the rear are a pleasant contact.
Sitting three abrest could be troublesome however legroom is greater than enough.
The S60 additionally has a comparatively deep boot, and might carry a good quantity of bags, however not as a lot as a BMW 3 Collection. You do, nonetheless, get a button that locks the automotive as soon as the boot is shut, so that you don’t have to put down what you’re carrying, pull out your keys, after which lock the automotive.
Whereas some options like cooled seats and related tech are lacking, you do get wi-fi charging, a four-zone local weather management system, a big sunroof and separate valet and exercise keys.
You get separate valet and exercise keys.
What’s the Volvo S60 prefer to drive?
The Volvo S60 feels relaxed and simple to drive, each within the metropolis in addition to out on the freeway. The engine feels responsive at low speeds, the steering is direct and properly weighted, and what additionally impresses is that it feels extremely secure and assured at pace.
The S60 is supposed to be pushed in a relaxed method.
The experience isn’t good. There’s a trace of stiffness over badly paved roads and also you do really feel the occasional thud, however go a bit quicker and the silent-for-the-most-part suspension rounds off the bumps fairly properly, the experience is flat and you aren’t tossed round within the least.
Volvo’s new S60 isn’t a automotive that enjoys being cornered laborious; this clearly isn’t any BMW 3 Collection. It rolls once you carry pace into corners, it feels lazy from behind the wheel once you hustle it, and whereas it nearly at all times feels neat and composed.
The experience is a bit stiff over poor roads however the S60 tackles bumps at pace nicely.
Volvo’s 2.0 petrol doesn’t fairly take pleasure in being wound laborious both. It feels strained and even will get a bit boomy after 5,000rpm, the gearbox feels solely marginally extra enthusiastic in Dynamic and efficiency in opposition to the clock isn’t too spectacular both. Instrumented exams we carried out confirmed the S60 took 9.35 seconds to do the 0-100kph dash, the automotive hitting its limiter at 181kph within the curiosity of security. What’s vital to notice, nonetheless, is that whereas efficiency and agility should not S60 strengths, its relaxed, laid-back angle is prone to swimsuit Indian luxurious automotive patrons fairly nicely.
The 190hp 2.0-litre turbo-petrol would not prefer to be wound laborious.
Do you have to purchase a Volvo S60?
There’s loads to love about Volvo’s new S60. For starters, it exudes an alluring big-car really feel so vital to patrons on this class. There’s loads of area within the cabin, consolation ranges on the within are very excessive, and with materials high quality proper up there with the most effective, the S60 has loads going for it too. Volvo has additionally loaded it up with a good quantity of package, and as ever, nobody comes shut with regards to the myriad security options and programs.
There’s no denying it appears to be like nearly similar to the bigger S90 sedan, each on the in and out, and those that take pleasure in sturdy efficiency and sharp dealing with should look elsewhere. Nonetheless, if you’re curious about a solidly constructed, sharply styled luxurious automotive that’s stress-free to drive and cozy to sit down in, Volvo’s new S60, at an anticipated worth of Rs 43-50 lakh (ex-showroom), has a lot going for it, and that laid-back character might be its most alluring trait. Dare to be totally different? The S60 might be for you.
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