New Volvo V60 estate unveiled before Geneva debut

Volvo will showcase the new high-tech and more upmarket replacement for the V60 estate at the upcoming Geneva motor show. Recently leaked images have confirmed the styling of the new estate, which follows in the footsteps of the V90 and XC60.

The V60 shares its SPA (Scalable Product Platform) with Volvo’s current crop of new cars and SUVs, and is 4,761mm long, with a 2872mm wheelbase. That makes it 117mm longer overall than the XC60 and 98mm longer in the wheelbase.

The Swedish carmaker has increased both passenger and luggage space significantly over the previous V60, which was an eight-year-old design loosely based on a Ford platform that's more than a decade old.

Boot space now stands at 529 litres with the rear seats up, increasing to 841 litres with seats down and increasing to 1364 litres when filled to the roof with seats down. Luggage volume has been prioritised to satisfy demand from family customers who want plenty of room for parental paraphernalia and lifestyle equipment. This priority for boot volume marks a significant design change from the V90, which ceded maximum loading space to the Mercedes-Benz E-class in favour of limousine levels of rear knee room.

Inside, the fascia, instrument panel and centre-console touchscreen look like they have been borrowed from the XC60 SUV, and is a significant improvement over the outgoing model.

At the motor show, Volvo is expected to showcase the new V60 with five engines – two diesels, one petrol and two plug-in hybrids.

These include the D3 and D4 diesels, with expected power outputs of 150hp and 190hp, respectively. A 245hp T5 petrol, a 340hp T6 Twin Engine plug-in and a T8 Twin Engine plug-in with 390hp complete the engine line-up.

Volvo says it has “no current plans” to introduce an entry-level 120hp D2 diesel, although experience suggests such a model might come in two to three years' time.

The same arsenal of driver assistance systems offered on other Volvo models will be available on the new V60, including City Safe with Autobrake, Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving at up to 130kph, two collision warning systems and cross-traffic alert.

There is no word on whether Volvo will bring the V60 to India.