Saloon power

Volvo’s new S60 goes head-on against the likes of the BMW 3-series, Merc C-class and Audi A4

Volvo’s new rakish and sporty saloon, the S60, is a car that the Swedish company hopes will take it mainstream. 

To entice buyers, it comes with a ferociously powerful petrol motor as well as a punchy and practical diesel version. 

Of the two, it’s the petrol T6 with its 304bhp turbocharged transversely mounted straight six engine that merits the most attention. 

It delivers explosive performance from anywhere in the power band and the four-wheel-drive system is quick to channel power optimally to all four wheels. 

Acceleration is strong enough to make passengers initially gasp as the S60 explodes off the blocks and then straightens out. 

The S60 is easily faster than the BMW 330i and the Audi A4 3.2 gets left behind as well. The 0-100kph comes up in under 6.5 seconds and in 24 seconds the car does 200 kph.






The 2,400cc D5 diesel motor is very powerful too, but less impressive in other areas. The five cylinder engine throbs a bit at start-up and certainly isn’t a silent as expected from a car of this class either. 
It does spin and smoothen up a fair bit later, but you are always aware of the odd number of cylinders firing under the hood. Also, noise levels here are considerably higher than say on a BMW’s 320d which, in comparison, feels more silent and silky smooth.

However, Volvo has also done a stellar job of harnessing and channeling the power of the S60 petrol effectively. The stiffened chassis of the car is more than up to the task, the torque vectoring on the four-wheel-drive system works like a charm and the car feels well balanced when you corner it hard. 

In “sport” mode, the car points into corners very nicely and there is even a bit of torque vectoring as you apply the throttle and exit the corner. There is no front engine, front-wheel-drive nose heaviness or understeer. This is most evident when powering out of a corner. 

The S60’s electro-hydraulic steering however lacks the pin-sharp accuracy of the 3-series. The T6 also comes with an adjustable suspension and in “comfort” mode it feels ideal at city speeds. But the brakes lack bite especially at higher speeds. 



source: www.indianexpress.com