Well with the latest 60s models, Volvo has refreshed and upgraded its generation devilishly good and everyone agrees this is the real deal…
The windcreen washer nozzles of the Swedish have been moved out of sight under the bonnet, the radar cover has been painted gloss black to help it blend into the grille, the chrome frame around the grille has been removed and a new, bigger ‘ironmark’ emphasises the logo.
It has some very practical new technology, including paddle shifters on some auto-transmission models, dazzle-proof permanent high-beam headlights and new pedestrian and cyclist detection systems.
One of the selling-points within the V60 R Design as we took it for a ride is the all black interior that comes fitted with it. With Spring beckoning this will convince any Swedish buyer to have a look once or twice.
Talk of a Swedish buyer, a well-known woman sport presenter in SA is a firm believer of this brand and wherever, she is, this should be added into her collector’s item.
There are also new optional sports buckets seats for all ’60 Volvos that the maker says will hold you in place without sacrificing traditional Volvo comfort, by deepening and firming lateral support from shoulder to thigh, and revising the seat-back to provide extra rear-seat knee room.
A passenger who is close to yours truly, enjoyed the back and forth of fitted leather interior seats as she tried hard to impress her varsity peers.
The new Volvo V60’s rear seats can be folded down in three 40/20/40 segments, so that the rear 430 litres of load space can be supplemented quickly and easily, while the V60’s two-stage integrated booster cushions pop up from the seat base, to provide a comfortable and safe.
Sensus enables connectivity and internet in the car and turns the 180mm display into a state-of-the-art infrared, beam-scanned touch screen that can be used even when wearing gloves.
Connection is via either a car-mounted 3G or 4G dongle or the driver’s smartphone.
Sensus Connected Touch gives the user access to full internet browsing (except when driving), internet music streaming, internet radio with thousands of channels from all over the world, Google Map and Search, 3D navigation, weather information, a number of native and web applications, App Store for new functions and updates as well as a Volvo service locator.
You can find the track you want just by saying its name; the voice-activated system works on all music sources paired with Sensus.
You can also make the whole car a Wi-Fi hotspot.
So, how far are you in disagreeing with me having enlisted the above features?
The petrol engine produces 180kW and 350Nm and does so thanks to friction-reduction measures such as ball bearings on the camshaft, high-speed continuous variable valve timing and intelligent heat management with a fully variable electric water pump.
This means fuel consumption of 6.1 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 142g/km in the V60 T5 model.
There is also a new eight-speed automatic gearbox that has been developed alongside the new engines. The customer still has the option of a six-speed manual, which has been improved slightly to aid in consumption.
Having not tested the Swedish made for sometime, one must punch the air in aplomb and declare: welcome back!
Retail prices:
V60 T3 Essential – R340 500
V60 T3 Excel – R345 400
V60 T3 Elite – R361 400
V60 T3 Powershift Excel – R367 100
V60 T3 Powershift Elite – R380 700
V60 T4 Excel – R369 000
V60 T4 Elite – R385 000
V60 T4 Powershift Excel – R386 800
V60 T4 Powershift Elite – R402 900
V60 D4 Excel – R392 100
V60 D4 Geartronic Excel – R406 200
V60 D4 Elite – R408 100
V60 D4 Geartronic Elite – R422 200
V60 T5 Powershift Excel – R441 000
V60 T5 Powershift Elite – R457 000
V60 T5 Powershift R-Design – R454 100
V60 D5 Geartronic Elite – R468 900
V60 T6 Geartronic AWD Elite – R529 900
V60 T6 Geartronic AWD R-Design – R537 900
Verdict
Fuel
1-10: 6
Performance
1-10: 8
