Volvo reveales the all new S60

Volvo wants its new S60 to become the biggest-selling model in its range, replicating the success of the original car that sold more than 10lakh units in its lifetime.

The new car is described by Volvo design boss Peter Horbury as a “brakes-off” vehicle. It allows the firm to push its design themes harder and incorporate a more typically Swedish look into its products. Volvo is aiming to sell 90,000 units in its first year.

Volvo is also making much of the work that has gone into developing the car’s chassis and suspension to provide what it says is “the most dynamic car we’ve ever presented”. The foundation for these claims is the extended Mondeo platform on which the car is based, coupled with S60-specific revisions.

Two variants will be offered — Dynamic and Comfort — with different dampers and changes to the subframes. Dynamic will be standard in Europe, with Comfort as an option in Asia.

The steering is faster than the old S60’s, while the suspension has been tuned to provide a firmer, sharper driving experience with stiffer bushes and mountings in the subframes and dampers.

The car will be launched with two petrol engines — a 304bhp turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six and a 203bhp 2.0-litre turbo four — as well as two five-cylinder diesels, with 205bhp and 163bhp.

Four more engines, all four-cylinder units, will be added during the first year of production, including 240bhp 2.0-litre petrol unit and a 180bhp 1.6 petrol. All models will be available with four-wheel drive as an option.

The S60 is also available with Volvo’s Pedestrian Detection system, which brings the car to a halt if it detects an imminent collision with a pedestrian. It will also use the brakes to avoid hitting the car in front.

The S60 represents what Horbury calls the completion of the modernisation of Volvo design. “Our next job is to make bigger steps,” he said. “We have one per cent of the world market, so our cars need to be recognised.”