All-new Volvo S60 on show
Words: AutoTrader NZ
The 2011 S60 is a sportier sedan from Volvo and compared to its predecessor, grows in every direction and is around 45kg heavier than the outgoing model.
Under the hood is a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six putting out 300hp and 325lb-ft of torque, with maximum torque available from 1500rpm.
Mated to a six-speed automatic and an all-wheel drive system, the S60 will reportedly reach 100kph in 6.5 seconds.
European customers will also have the choice of a turbo and direct-injected 2.0-litre four-cylinder, along with a diesel and a dual-clutch gearbox.
The real talking point of the Volvo S60 is its safety systems. After last year introducing its City Safety system designed to avoid low-speed rear-end crashes, the S60’s additional Pedestrian Detection feature aims to reduce fatalities and injuries in urban environments.
The system allows the S60 to automatically brake to a standstill from a speed of up to 35kmh if the system detects the driver is not reacting to an imminent impact with a pedestrian. Volvo says Pedestrian Detection will also slow the car from higher speeds, claiming a reduction in speed from 50kmh to 25kmh can reduce the risk of fatality by up to 85%.
Two suspensions will be offered globally, the firmer European-spec ‘Dynamic’ setting, or softer ‘Comfort’ set-up for US and Asian markets.
The S60’s five-seat interior retains the company’s floating console design, though Volvo claims the cabin boasts its “most extrovert” styling yet.
More details on a NZ arrival date coming soon…
Read more about the Volvo S60 here.
