?Volvo celebrates a ?Midsommar ? drive in new S60 T5 AWD?
Park City, Utah –The S60 model Volvo was first introduced as a 2000-year model, and has since become the best selling vehicle in the Swedish icon?s lineup. Volvo has long been recognized for manufacturing vehicles noted for their innovative safety technology, and the latest iteration S60 sedan not only continues, but also expands that long-standing tradition. Despite its recent purchase by Chinese car manufacturer, the Geely Car Company, which is overseen and managed by their Zhejiang Holding Company, Volvos will continue to be manufactured in Sweden and the company will operate autonomously – this according to internal spokespersons.
Visually, the 2013 Volvo S60 might best be described as the Volvo with an attitude. Its design form is sleek and sexy. the clumsy, three box design that was a favorite of Uncle Olaf is. gone forever. The new is perhaps the sportiest Volvo produced to date, creating an ever-present sense of motion, whether parked or moving (this of course depends upon your personal taste – some still prefer the look of the Volvo P1800, which was ahead of its time) Though in reality the S60 is a four-door sedan, it displays the look of a coupe. The roofline is slender and dramatically curved for a coupe-like effect, emphasized by the blacked-out ?B? pillars. The pronounced shoulder line consists of a sharp contour that creates a ?double wave? stretching from the front to the rear. Up front, the dramatically shaped grille is flanked by V-shaped position lights sporting a prominent Volvo iron mark logo. In profile, the S60 showcases a ?flying wedge? overall form, riding low over the wheels and tires, and capped by definitive wheel well arches. Overhangs are short, and add to the sports car feel produced by this Swedish beauty.
Inside, the S60 ?s cabin envelops one in luxurious surroundings, featuring a state-of-the-art infotainment system. A standard Driver Control Interface manages information from the audio unit, navigation system (if so equipped) and other functions, displaying them onto a high definition color monitor in the upper part of the center console. It allows the driver to explore the high-tech features of the car and personalize them to suit their needs. All functions may be operated by a thumb-activated rotator located on the right steering-wheel spoke or via buttons on the center control panel located below the screen. A standard high-performance multi-media system includes a CD/DVD player, HD Radio, AUX and USB inputs, MP3 capability, 160-watt amplifier and eight speakers. Also included?is Bluetooth hands-free phone interface with audio streaming and Sirius? Satellite Radio with a complimentary six-month subscription.
An optional Multimedia Package nets the Volvo Premium Sound System with Dolby Pro-Logic II? Surround Sound, 650-watt amplifier and 12 premium?speakers. The package includes the Volvo Navigation System with Real Time Traffic, DVD map data and remote control, and a rear park assist camera.
New for the 2013 model year, the S60 T5?s 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine improvements include an increased compression ratio from 9.0:1 to 9.5:1 and a reduction of internal friction. Those modifications, in combination with faster gear changes in sport mode, result in quicker acceleration from 0-60 mph of 6.4 seconds (previously 6.8 seconds) with standard front-wheel drive. When equipped with optional AWD, 0-60 is clocked in 6.6 seconds. Now standard fare for the new S60 T5 are: rain sensor windshield wipers; headlight washers; dual polished exhaust pipes. Volvo Sensus gains increased steering-wheel scroll control functionality, and a new gearshift knob for six-speed “Geartronic” automatic transmissions now feature illuminated drive modes. Tunnel Detection added to headlights. Optionally available for the new model year is: All-Wheel Drive with Instant Traction; and heated rear seats.
A new trim level strategy has been developed, with the new Premier trim level including a power glass moonroof, leather seating surfaces, Keyless Drive with Personal Car Communicator (PCC), power passenger seat, auto-dimming rear view mirror and Accessory Prep cable. A new Premier Plus trim level includes the Premier content, but adds active dual Xenon headlights, front and rear park assist, Homelink remote garage door opener and compass in rear view mirror.
A new Platinum trim level includes Premier Plus content, while adding Volvo?s Premium Sound System, Navigation System with Voice Control and Map Care and rear park assist camera. The Technology Package gains Road Sign Information (RSI) and Active High Beam. Multimedia, Premium and Dynamic packages have been deleted.
Driving dynamics fall into three functionally designed categories: Standard is the Dynamic Chassis focusing on optimizing control and agility without diluting ride comfort. The Touring Chassis, available as a no-charge option is for those who place a greater emphasis on comfort. The major difference between the two lies in the dampers and the front and rear subframes. Both setups provide?exceptional ride and handling qualities, while the Touring Chassis has been tuned for a smoother ride on poor road surfaces. Finally, Volvo’s FOUR-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) active chassis is optionally available ? specifically modified to improve control and comfort. The system employs sensors that continuously monitor the car’s behavior, adjusting the dampers in fractions of a second to suit the real time driving scenarios, allowing the driver to select from three different settings: Comfort, Sport and Advanced.
Dynamic Stability and Traction Control are refined featuring a suite of electronic systems to help optimize handling and control. Advanced Stability Control uses a roll angle sensor to detect and react to oversteer at an earlier stage and understeer in situations such as slip build-up. It also improves handling in evasive maneuvers and gains a new Sport Mode setting to allow controlled rear wheel slip for performance driving.
Corner Traction Control by Torque Vectoring helps to improve handling by redistributing torque to the outer wheel to help “steer” the car around a turn. This feature operates on both front and rear wheels in AWD S60s.
Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake debuted as a world-first technology, actively helping the driver to avoid accidents through Volvo’s radar- and camera-based system that?s able to detect pedestrians in front of the car, warns the driver if anyone walks out into its path, then automatically activates the S60’s full braking power if the driver fails to respond in time. The system is able to avoid a collision at speeds up to 22 mph. At higher speeds, the focus is on reducing the car’s speed as much as possible prior to the impact. Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake is part of the S60’s optional Technology Package that also includes: Adaptive Cruise Control with new Queue Assist; Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake;? Distance Alert;? Driver Alert Control; and Lane Departure Warning.?City Safety, another world-first technology that made its debut on Volvo?s XC60, is a standard driver support system aimed at preventing or mitigating collisions with a vehicle ahead occurring at speeds of 19 mph or less, utilizing a closing velocity sensor to help determine whether a collision is imminent. Depending upon the closing speed, City Safety either pre-charges the brakes or automatically brakes the S60 to help avoid a rear-end collision.
My test of the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 AWD wore an exterior finish of Ice White with a Black and Brown interior. The base price was set at $31,750 while the final sticker?came to $38,170 after factoring in the Premiere Package, Climate Package, AWD, trunk spoiler, 17-inch Njord alloy wheels and Destination charge.
SUMMARY:? Testing the new S60 T5 AWD took place out of Park City, Utah, taking in the scenic wonders of the Rocky Mountains, with a visit to the Winter Olympic Park.
?
Traditionally, Volvos are thought of as being among the safest of cars on a global basis and not as a sporty performance vehicle. The S60 is on a mission to change that perception, placing it in a more competitive field.
Acceleration is rapid, shifting is smooth, the ride quality is compliant, without being either too soft or too harsh, and handling attributes are definitely sporty in nature and response, delivering crisp and nimble reactions.
The 2013 Volvo S60 claims the title for best in class maintenance and warranty with 5 year / 60,000 miles, resulting in the lowest cost of ownership in its category. In the final analysis, the newest Volvo S60 T5 AWD is a dynamic four-door sport coupe with an alluring Swedish form.
SPECIFICATONS: Volvo C60 T5 Premiere AWD-?13
| Base Price: | $31,750 |
| Price as Tested: | $38,170 |
| Engine Type and Size: | 2.5-liter DOHC, 20-valve turbocharged inline 5-cylinder with CVVT and electronic fuel injection |
| Horsepower (bhp): | 250 @ 5,500 pm |
| Torque (ft./ lbs.): | 266 @ 1,800 rpm |
| Transmission: | Six-speed Geartronic automatic with Sport mode |
| Drive Train: | Transversely-mounted front engine / Electronically controlled AWD with optional Instant Traction |
| Suspension: | Touring Chassis with Advanced Stability Control and Corner Traction Control; through Torque Vectoring.Front – MacPherson strut with asymmetrically- mounted coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers, Anti- dive geometry and stabilizer bar.
Rear – Independent Multi-link with coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers and stabilizer bar |
| Brakes: | Power-assisted four-wheel ventilated discs with 4- channel ABS, hydraulic Brake Assist, Optimized Hydraulic Brakes, Ready Alert Brakes and Fading Brake Support |
| Tires: | Continental ContiSport Contact 235/50 R-17 mounted on 5-double-spoke ?Njord? 17×8? alloy wheels |
| Wheelbase: | 109.3 inches |
| Length Overall: | 182.2 inches |
| Width: | 73.4 inches |
| Height: | 58.4 inches |
| Curb Weight: | 3,528 lbs. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 17.8 gallons |
| EPA Mileage Estimates: | 20 mpg city / 29 mpg highway |
| Drag Coefficient: | 0.28 |
| 0 – 60 mph: | 6.4 seconds. Top Speed 130 mph electronically limited |
