Feel the heat.7

Feel the heat.6

volvo s 60

The all-new S60 offers far more in the way of luxury and performance than ever before as it guns for more upscale – and more expensive – rivals like the BMW 335i and Mercedes-Benz C350. Though it clearly follows Volvo’s current design language, the S60 promises even more active and passive safety along with sporty performance.

That price represents a roughly $800 increase over the dated outgoing S60 T5 model’s base price – but the new car adds nearly 50 horsepower, 70 lb-ft of torque, all-wheel-drive and numerous additional features that make the modest bump a major bargain.

In addition to a new design language, the new S60 seems to demonstrate Volvo’s desire to move toward more slender A- and C-pillars for increased visibility. Over the years, these structural supports have become much thicker on most vehicles for structural and styling purposes. Volvo seems to have kept the styling up to snuff, without sacrificing its iconic safety.

Volvo’s latest pedestrian-recognizing safety technology also made its debut on the S60. Capable of detecting when a collision with a pedestrian is imminent, the system automatically triggers the S60's brakes to prevent an impact. Volvo points out that more than 4,700 pedestrian fatalities occur in the United States annually and the feature really makes sense in Europe, where 14 percent of all car wrecks involve a pedestrian on the continent’s crowded, narrow streets.

Volvo promises that the S60 will be its most engaging product to date, where the outgoing S60 was neither as sporty nor as plush as its rivals, so the automaker is clearer in its intentions for the all-new model.

The U.S.-specification S60 comes standard with a 300-horsepower, 325 lb-ft of torque turbocharged inline six-cylinder mated exclusively – for now – to a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission. All U.S.-spec S60s come with all-wheel-drive, although a less-expensive model is expected to be offered eventually thanks to a switch to front-wheel drive.

A sport suspension is standard, as will City Safety, which can automatically brake the S60 in the event of a pending low-speed impact.

Volvo’s innovative Pedestrian Detection technology adds $2,100 and comes in a package that also includes adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.

A $1,500 premium package adds a moonroof, power passenger seat and Xenon headlamps, while a $800 climate package brings with it heated front seats, heated windshield washer nozzles, headlamp washers, rain-sensing windshield wipers and an interior air quality system. For $2,700, buyers can specify the multimedia package, which adds a Dolby Pro Logic II audio system by Audyssey, a rear parking camera and navigation.

Other available options include metallic paint ($550), wood interior inlays ($300), front and rear parking assist ($500), blind spot information (BLIS) ($700) and an active chassis ($750). A $850 destination charge applies to all S60s.

lexus.1

beetle

volvo c70

Volvo previously made separate C70 Coupe and Convertibles but, thanks to one of the growing number of retractable hard-tops on the market, there's now just one car.

With the roof up the Volvo looks like a regular two-door coupe, but - when the sun comes out - the three piece folding roof motors itself away out of sight in under 30 seconds.

Inside the well-finished cabin combines several themes from elsewhere in the Volvo range, including good ergonomics and a "floating" backless centre console, similar to that in the S40 and V50. It also benefits from some well-chosen chrome details. Driver and front seat occupant enjoy decent space and a good range of seat adjustment. In the back there's not masses of space for passengers with taller occupants missing out on legroom, but it's fine for kids or occasional use.

Neat design details include several storage bins linked to the central locking system, ensuring security when the car is left unattended with the roof down. Luggage capacity is decent with the roof up, but as the hardtop has to share the boot, the available volume is halved when it's lowered.

Four powerplants are available, two petrol and two diesel. The original 2.4 litre five-cylinder petrol unit produces 168bhp and gives decent acceleration. The 226 bhp T5 2.5-litre turbocharged engine is positively rapid. The 2.4-litre D5 five-cylinder lump is the pick of the diesels, although the 2.0-litre engine is more economical

Strong safety features also help the C70 to make its case, including a semi-rigid inflatable curtain to protect occupants in a collision with the roof down, and also pop-up rollover protection bars. Residuals will be strong and running costs well-contained.