First Drive: 2011 Volvo S60 T6

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Volvo tries to get its sexy back

Does calling its new S60 a "sports sedan" make it so?

By John LeBlanc PORTLAND, Oregon—You know the sexist stereotype. A supposedly shy, near-sighted librarian, who when given the chance, lets down the hair, doffs the glasses, and becomes the out-of-character “naughty” librarian. So by adding more performance, more athletic driving dynamics and less-boxy styling to its “Naughtiest Volvo Ever” new-for-2011 S60, Volvo wants to throw off its stereotypically staid image and help accelerate the brand’s struggling sales. In a move that may make regular librarians and Volvo owners blush, the Swedish automaker is pitching its new S60 as a “sports sedan.” With phrases from the car’s brochure like, “the driver commands the S60’s 300 horsepower like a firing mechanism” or “it’s a salvo fired from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 5.8 seconds” in a “trajectory aimed straight at the heart of driving enthusiasts,” you would almost think the copy was written by a member of the National Rifle Association of America, not a bunch of safety-conscious Swedes. Naughty or nice, like last year’s XC60 crossover (on which the new five-passenger sedan is based mechanically), Volvo Canada is initially only offering top S60 models, dubbed T6, with a turbocharged six-cylinder engine and all-wheel-drive standard. At first peek, the sexier S60 T6’s base price of $45,450 looks reasonable against AWD sports sedan rivals like the Acura TL SH-AWD, Audi A4 2.0T Quattro, BMW 335xi, Infiniti G37x or Lexus IS 250 AWD. But keep an eye on the S60’s options. The fully loaded models we drove here in Oregon list for just under $60k. Expect a less expensive, less powerful, front-wheel-drive S60 and even sportier R Design models to follow. Unlike most of its rivals, there’s no manual gearbox available on the S60 T6’s menu. A six-speed automatic with manual shift control (but no shift paddles) is standard, as is the AWD system that defaults to 95/5 front-to-rear torque distribution but can send all the six’s power to the rear. I’ve always been impressed by the current XC60’s “just right” driving dynamics: Not too soft, not too hard. And the S60 T6 sedan only improves things. On public roads, the new sedan’s ride is very controlled, but never harsh. Even the sportiest Dynamic setting on the adjustable suspension won’t cause your teeth to rattle. Granted, the steering isn’t as communicative as some hardcore drivers may like, but the S60 arcs through corners cleanly and in a linear way. The safety-conscious Volvo even let me lap the S60 T6 on the recently opened Oregon Motorsports Park, a couple of hours drive southeast of Portland. The new torque-vectoring hardware grabs the inside wheels during hard cornering to assist the outside wheels in getting power down. Unlike more sophisticated mechanical systems, the Volvo setup only works under acceleration. But at the track, it allowed the S60 to fluidly work through off-camber corners, post-apex, with understeer rarely rearing its ugly head. Despite the improved driving dynamics compared to the outgoing S60, some drivers may think things could be “naughtier” in the new S60. When pushed really hard, it doesn’t deliver the type of detailed and delicate responses you would get from class-leaders like the 335xi or an Audi S4, which our fully-loaded models end up matching in price. But from the driver’s seat, the new S60 sure beats the old S60. And a drive in the S60 R Design, with its supposedly sportier suspension bits, may change my mind. When not chasing the Germans, the inside of the S60 T6’s well-crafted cockpit is a pretty nice place to be. Aesthetically and ergonomically, the Volvo’s interior design is both adventurous and functional. This is a difficult achievement (see any new Acura). The S60 T6’s three-spoke steering wheel is thick and great to hold. The front seats are supportive and — as expected — comfortable. The floating centre console and the two round main gauges are now Volvo standards. But a new infotainment system with its centrally mounted screen accessed via four control knobs fixes the previous S60’s cluttered cabin and avoids the copycat iDrive systems that proliferate in the cars of rival brands. In the back, the seats are equally accommodating. And even though the new car is about the same size as the outgoing S60, a longer wheelbase affords about 54 mm more rear legroom. Despite all this “naughty” talk about the S60’s newfound performance and handling prowess, safety is still a priority at Volvo. With this year’s S60, along with the latest version of City Safety 2 low-speed vehicle avoidance technology as standard, Volvo introduces the optional Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake System. Whether or not Volvo’s new sexy librarian is enough to get BMW and Audi buyers out of their rides is the big question. If not as hardcore as some Volvos from the past — such as the 1995 850-based T-5R for instance — the new S60 T6 is certainly more refined and safer than the last model. Its looks inside and out should attract a new type of Volvo customer, with the added bonus that it’s now a decent drive. 2011 Volvo S60 T6 WHAT I LIKE: Comfortable and well thought-out interior; nice balance between ride and handling; industry-leading safety tech. WHAT I DON'T :Options can bloat base prices; no manual transmission; could be even “naughtier.” BASE PRICE/AS-TESTED: $45,450/$58,915 ENGINE: 3.0L turbocharged inline six-cylinder POWER: 300 hp/325 lb.-ft. EST. FUEL CONSUMPTION (L/100 km): 13.0 city; 9.0 hwy. COMPETITION: Acura TL SH-AWD, Audi A4/S4, BMW 335xi, Infiniti G37x, Lexus IS 250 AWD Even “naughtier” Volvos on the way Volvo has announced details of the sportier R Design version of the S60 sedan, joining the smaller C30 R Design. Adding to the midlevel S60 T6, on the outside, the sports sedan has redesigned front fascias and a rear diffuser that houses twin exhaust tailpipes, and unique five-spoke wheels. Inside, more aggressive sports seats with special two-tone trim, and an R-Design steering wheel, gear selector, sports pedals and floor-mats come standard. Unlike high-performance models from BMW M, Mercedes-Benz AMG, or Audi S/RS car, Volvo doesn’t offer engine upgrades with its R Design models. Instead, the focus is on handling. A strut brace up front and a rear chassis brace add torsional rigidity on the S60 R Design, plus new monotube dampers and springs, shortened and stiffened, tighten up the suspension’s reactions. “This makes the (S60) easier to control and reduces any tendency to lurch,” says Stefan Sällqvist, manager of vehicle dynamics at Volvo Cars. “This is an area that requires true fingertip sensitivity in order to find the right blend of dynamics and comfort. If you go too far, the car feels bumpy even on smooth surfaces. We've invested a lot of time and effort in finding the ideal balance.” Pricing and availability of the new S60 R Design have yet to be confirmed.

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