Much like Audi, Volvo believes in the "one sausage different lengths" school of design. From the S40 to the S80 and even the XC60, the Volvo "look" of "narrow at the shoulder, broad at the hip" is unmistakable, often imitated and undeniably sexy, in a safe, practical sort of way. While the front overhang on the S60 is long compared to some of the German options, the overall look has grown on me since I drove the non-R-Design S60 last year. While the S80 remains the best proportioned of the bunch, the S60′s greenhouse screams four-door-coupe which is inexplicably all the rage. R-design models get a subtle update to the bumper with stabilizing fins, a tiny spoiler, more aggressive exhaust, a new front bumper that ditches half the chrome in favor of a more aggressive pose and a set of 18 inch 5-spoke wheels. While the outside of the R-Design was treated to the same level of updating the former R models received, the interior gets less love. That's not to say the interior of the S60 is uncompetitive – the build and parts quality is only a notch behind Audi and a decent step above the Mercedes C-class, there's just not much inside to say "I got the sporty one" save a small emblem on the steering wheel. True to Volvo's minimalist style, the buttons are clear, easy to read and easy to reach. If you're looking for some funky Swedish character you won't find any in modern Volvos. They are almost Germanic in their arrangement. Speaking of those controls, the slot for the "key" is located fairly high on the dash, so if you don't pony up $550 for the keyless-go option, your keys will bang around in a fairly undignified fashion. Volvo should make this feature standard in a market where discount Nissans can be had with it. Rear seat passengers in any of the European small sedans won't be as happy as they would be in a Lexus ES350 or an American sedan, but in comparison to the A4 and the C-class, the Volvo delivers essentially the same dimensions in the back. While the previous S60R and V70R came with acres of "pearlescent" leather in wacky shades of orange and blue, the R-Design is available with sensible black leather faced seats. As someone who owned a full-leather upholstery V70R, I find myself torn between the feel of real leather on the doors and dash and the hours I had to spend caring for it all. Volvo's funky and polarizing 5 cylinder turbo engine is now an item for the history books. While I loved my 5 cylinder Volvos, I have to agree that they were a little different sounding. The S60R/V70R's 2.5L engine also suffered from heat soak in hot weather. When the S60R/V70Rs were killed, R-Design became a sport and styling exercise at Volvo, so the S60 R-Design's power bump came as a welcome surprise to the Volvo faithful. Volvo called in Polestar, their preferred tuning company to tweak the 3.0L twin-scroll turbocharged inline 6 for R-Design duty. The result was a modest bump from 300 HP and 325 lb-ft of torque to 325 HP and 354 lb-ft, but that only tells half the story as the torque and horsepower curves are improved compared to the stock engine. The 2011 S60 T6 AWD we tested last January ran to 60 in 5.67 seconds, which was notably behind the S4 and 335i, while the R-Design sprinted to the same number in 5.05. So marked was the difference that I headed to my local Volvo dealer and performed the test again with a T6 and R-Design fresh off the lot and recorded essentially the same figures. We all know BMW underrates their engines, but Volvo? Who knew. If you have access to an AWD dyno (we couldn't get in one on short notice) let us know in the comment section below and maybe we can work out a rematch with Volvo. My grandfather used to always tell me not to bring a knife to a gunfight. Apparently Volvo's engineers didn't have granddad like mine. The R-Design may bring cool blue-faced gauges and a willing engine to the fight, but sadly the unloved Aisin 6-speed automatic tagged along. It's not that the Aisin transmission is a belligerent companion – in fact, the unit has been reprogrammed to be more eager to downshift when prodded. The problem is that in the R-Design it's no less eager to upshift when you enter a corner, a trait that I find more annoying than a transmission that holds a gear but resists downshifting. Perhaps this is because my heart longs for an AWD Volvo with a manual transmission? While I didn't find this behavior that distressing in the regular S60, I had hoped for at least some paddle shifters and a manual mode that didn't shift until I requested. The Volvo rumor mill tells me a 6-speed manual may make a return soon, it can't come fast enough. The previous V70R and S60R corner carved with curious aptitude and strangely little road feel. The new S60′s electric power assist steering is actually a considerable improvement on the previous system and while it is not as direct and involving as last generation's 3-series it has about the same amount of road feel as any other EPAS system on the market. I was told some years ago to be careful not to confuse heavy steering with road feel, but in our EPAS world they tend to be the same. The R-Design suffers from a 3,877lb curb weight (almost 60% of which rests over the front wheels) and 235-width rubber. It's the weight and its distribution rather than the rubber that dogs the S60R in corners, where it exhibits an unwillingness to change direction much like the similarly overweight S4. The S4 delivers a more refined feel while heading off into the bushes. For reasons that Volvo could not explain, their adaptive suspension system, a truly innovative feature on the S60R and V70R, is only available on the non-R-Design models. This means that should you want the extra power you're stuck with the stiffer suspension all the time. I would not call the ride harsh, but it is notably stiffer than the standard suspensions one would find in an A4 or 3-series. Price likely has a role to play, with the R-Design starting at $43,375 – more expensive than my 2006 V70R, but significantly cheaper than an S60R. Our tester was equipped with the navigation system, rear view camera, up-level audio system, heated seats and washer nozzles, headlight washers, rain-sensing wipers, power retracting side view mirrors and Volvo's blind spot monitoring system bringing our total up to $48,025. While that sounds like a large price tag, our own Michael Karesh estimated the R-Design undercuts the S4 by some $7,700. One cannot review a Volvo without discussing safety. From collapsible steering columns, anti-whiplash seats and "anti-submarining" guards to Volvo's latest active safety systems that will intervene when you fail to, we can easily say the safety box is well and duly ticked. Volvo's City Safety with "pedestrian detection and full-auto-brake" is slowly working its way through Volvo's line up and is standard on all S60 models. Personally I think this system should be standard on all Volvo models, even if it means a higher base price. The previous generation City Safety system saved my bacon in the XC60 I reviewed last year, so I'm confident it will do the same here. The S60 takes this system to the next level by detecting pedestrians as long as they are over 31-inches tall. After a week with BMW's night vision system, which will warn you about pedestrians (but only at night) yet takes no action, I have to say my risk averse side prefers a system that acts instead. I was unable to find a volunteer to stand in front of the system so we could test it. Understandable, as I am told the system errs on the side of running into the obstacle rather than slamming on the brakes if it is unsure. Still, preliminary insurance data indicates that the system does work. Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.
Volvo provide the vehicle, insurance and one tank go gas for this review Specifications as tested 0-30 MPH: 1.9 Seconds 0-60 MPH: 5.05 Seconds 1/4 Mile: 13.5 Seconds @ 104 MPH Observed Average Fuel Economy: 24 MPG over 724 miles
from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com | |||
| |||
| |||
|
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Review: 2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design Take Two
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Archive
-
▼
2012
(7297)
-
▼
February
(621)
- Hyundai i-oniq Concept: A Hatchback for Hyundai’s ...
- Citroën DS3 Racing Limited Edition Honors Rally Go...
- Audi Announces U.S. A3 e-tron Pilot Program; R8 e-...
- Swedish Film: Volvo V40 Official Photos and Video ...
- 2013 Buick Enclave Headed to the Big Apple with Up...
- Volkswagen Prices 2013 CC Sedan From $31,430, Top ...
- Nissan Leaf EV Available to Customers Nationwide i...
- Cars.com Reviews the 2012 BMW 3 Series
- Volkswagen Looking To Overtake Honda In The United...
- Jaguar XF Gains Wagon Body Style at the 2012 Genev...
- Name That Car Clock: Black Analog Quartz
- Nikkei: Honda’s Future Hinges On A Kei Car
- 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta: First Look
- PSA And GM Are Doing It While Marchionne Watches
- LeMons Good/Bad Idea of the Week: Bribing with Dio...
- BRAND NEW Hates BRAND NEW Jaguar Logo. And They Sh...
- Ferrari F12 Berlinetta; More Wretched Excess
- Kinetic Motorsports to Expand Availability of Perf...
- 2013 Jaguar XF Sportbrake Officially Debuts [Genev...
- Cars.com News Briefs: Feb. 29, 2012
- Jaguar XF Sportbrake; A Diesel Wagon, But Alas, No...
- 2013 Ferrari F12berlinetta – Official Photos and Info
- Mini Adds John Cooper Works Edition to Countryman
- Chinese Government Fools Autoblog, Autoguide, Left...
- Driven: Volkswagen Cross Up! / E-Up! / Up! GT Conc...
- Review: A Week In A 2012 Nissan Leaf
- Junkyard Find: 1977 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
- Piston Slap: Justy-fied Freestylin’ over CVTs, Par...
- Back That You-Know-What Up
- Cars.com Family Reviews the 2012 Nissan Juke
- Dodge Unveils Test Configurator for 2013 Dart
- 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet Photos and Info...
- Supplier Magna Steyr Creates Oddball MILA Coupic C...
- Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 125
- 2013 Mini John Cooper Works Countryman Gets Specs ...
- TechArt Announces Body Bits, Exhaust System for 99...
- Subaru, Mazda Rise, Ford Crashes, in Consumer Repo...
- The Iranian Connection In The GM/Peugeot Alliance
- 2012 Kia K9 RWD Sedan Photos and Info: Insert Unin...
- Fisker Hires Former Chrysler Boss LaSorda, Company...
- 2013 Volkswagen CC Starts at $30,250
- Volvo V40 Gets 254-Horsepower 5-Cylinder, Start-St...
- Lamborghini SUV Rendered, Coming in Concept Form Soon
- Nissan Teases Hi-Cross Concept
- Aston Martin Updates the Vantage Range for 2012
- Quote Of The Day: “Five Years From Now, When I’m N...
- Fisker Names Ex-Chrysler Boss Tom Lasorda As New CEO
- Backup Cameras Likely Mandated for 2014
- NASCAR Shouldn’t Run In The Rain — And Neither Sho...
- This Is Not The Most Beautiful Cars Of All Times. ...
- Cars.com News Briefs: Feb. 28, 2012
- Kia KH Heralds The Start Of The “Monkfish Age” In ...
- Lighter, More Muscular And More Striking Boxster P...
- When Was The Last Time You Used Your Sunroof?
- Marchionne: Every 5th Auto Plant In Europe Should ...
- Coming Soon: Kia's K9 Flagship
- Junkyard Find: 1971 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
- Car Collector’s Corner: 1985 Oregon Highway Patrol...
- Best Selling Cars Around The Globe: Chile Loves Ja...
- Tycho’s Illustrated History Of Chinese Cars: A Red...
- What's the Most Affordable Full-Size Crossover?
- 2012 Toyota Camry: Car Seat Check
- Odd Couplings: GM To Buy 7 Percent Of PSA? What For?
- Blind Spot: Electric Cars And “The Freedom Thing”
- 2012 Audi A1 Quattro Driven: 256 HP, All-Wheel Dri...
- Pininfarina Cambiano Sports-Sedan Concept Revealed...
- Jaguar XF Sportbrake Brochure Leaked [Geneva Auto ...
- 2013 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster Spy Photos: Th...
- 2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Spied! We Catch the Sev...
- Bill Ford’s “Blueprint For Mobility” Calls For Car...
- Nissan Hi-Cross Concept is Coming, Probably a Hybr...
- Audi Announces Electric Pilot Program
- Jaguar XKR-Based Lyonheart K Pays Homage to E-Type...
- Leaf’s Grandfather
- Name That Car Clock: Extremely Classy Cartier Analog
- TTAC Photo Documentary: Carlos Ghosn Talks The Yen...
- Kia K9 Rear Drive Sedan Spied In South Korea
- Land Rover Eyes Convertible for Evoque
- QOTD: What’s wrong with this statement?
- Recall Alert: 2012 Nissan Murano and Nissan Rogue
- Finally, Real Pictures Of The Volvo V40
- Capsule Review: 2012 Hyundai Azera
- Cars.com News Briefs: Feb. 27, 2012
- Name That Shifter, No. 65
- Recall Alert: 2011-12 Porsche Cayenne
- Recall Alert: 2011-2012 Infiniti M, QX and Nissan ...
- Detroit Sleeps Through Chinese SUV Boom
- Junkyard Find: 1983 Mazda GLC Sedan
- Piston Slap: Frontal Area, Our Friend?
- Would You Buy It? Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon
- 2012 Hyundai Azera First Drive: It’s a Long Way to...
- Avoidable Contact: Lexus killed Saab, but GM let S...
- Hammer Time: Past Profits, Future Prophets
- China Billionaire Special: The Dartz Prombron Blac...
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic
- Junkyard Find: 1992 Ford Tempo GL
- Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week
- TrueCar Projects 14 Million New Car Market, Confir...
- High Speed Pursuits Endanger Your House
- Car Collector’s Corner: 1965 Mercury Comet-Rescued...
-
▼
February
(621)
No comments:
Post a Comment