Volvo V60 adds sporting touch to estate motoring

The New Volvo S60 has arrived in Ireland to much acclaim. It is a stylish and sporting newcomer to the Volvo range boasting a host of innovative and advanced safety features. Volvo has set itself a worthy goal that through the use of advanced technologies in both active and passive safety nobody will be killed or seriously injured in a Volvo by the year 2020. The new S60 and V60 are both cars that admirably demonstrate these new technologies. Yet as Volvo continues its quest for the safest cars it has now also managed to inject a great deal of sportiness to the range, something not normally associated with Volvos of the past. The new V60 then is effectively the estate version of the S60. Volvo likes to call it a Sports Wagon, and the range consists of one petrol engine - a 1.6 Turbo - as well as two diesels, a 2.0 five-cylinder D3 (as tested here) and a 1.6 D Drive. Specification levels are excellent across five trim levels - S, ES, SE, SE Lux and R-Design. The car on test here is the V60 2.0 D3 diesel in SE spec. First impressions Although in reality this is an estate car, its shape is definitely sporting and dynamic with short overhangs both front and rear. The wide track, standard fit alloys colour-coded bumpers and mirrors, and low-slung body create an instant impression of a car, which promises much dynamically. The overall effect is eye-catching in a classy way. Behind the wheel Attention to detail is evident from the way in which every item in the car is engineered. It all feels well put together with high quality materials in evidence throughout the cabin. The dials are large and clear while the new centrally mounted five-inch colour Infotainment screen is useful, with climate, audio and phone information. The centre console below it is clearly laid out in a Swedish minimalist sort of way. The centre console is of a floating design with a storage space behind it but that was hard to access. The level of standard equipment is impressive. In addition to the now expected electric windows, central clocking and so on, the V60 SE comes laden with items such as climate control, cruise control, auto dimming rear view mirror, auto folding door mirrors, puddle lighting, rain sensor, pollen filters, Bluetooth, heat absorbing tinted glass, multi-function leather steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels and height adjustable front seats. On the safety side of things, the V60 range offers the latest in Volvo's safety engineering, including multiple intelligent airbags, Volvo's SIPS system, WHIPS - Whiplash Protection System and ABS with EBD and EBA. Volvo's new City Safety is also standard. With City Safety the car automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops-or if he or she is driving too fast towards a stationary object. This system can greatly lessen or indeed avoid low speed impacts at speeds up to 30km/h. A stability and traction control system called DSTC is also provided, with the addition of new Corner Traction control, making the new V60 one of the safest cars in its class. A host of optional safety features are also available such as BLISS, Blindspot warning system, LDW, Lane Departure Warning and Pedestrian Detection System with auto Brake. Performance The 2.0 litre 163 PS five-cylinder turbo diesel is a lovely powerplant, proving smooth and refined. With some 400Nm of torque available, it also has plenty of mid-range punch. In the test car it was mated to the optional auto gearbox called Geartronic and the combination proved excellent. Performance is good yet it managed to burn no more than 6.9 litres per 100km over the test period while emissions of 144g/km put it into band C for road tax at €302 annually. Road Behaviour The new Volvo V60 manages to blend the virtues of good handling and ride comfort nicely. Noise levels are commendably low with wind, and tyre noise all well suppressed. Accommodation both front and rear is good. A six-footer could comfortably sit behind the driver's seat when it was set back for a six-foot driver's ideal driving position. The 430 litre load area (rear seats in place) is flat and easily accessed by the large rear tailgate, while split fold rear seats add to the flexibility offered by the V60 Sports Wagon. Verdict The new Volvo V60 is a good looking dynamic, and compact family estate that is pleasing to drive and delivers in terms of flexibility and versatility. Quality oozes from every pore - the car feels special. It's packed with the latest safety features and comes fully loaded. The 2.0 V60 D3 offers excellent economy with a range between refuels of some 900km, and it performs well. Entry to the new V60 range kicks off at €34,000 while the V60 D3 SE tested costs €40,500. The new Volvo V60 range is compact, yet roomy enough, and compared with rivals from BMW, Mercedes and Audi, you really get a whole lot more for your money without sacrificing anything in terms of quality or indeed perceived status.