Volvo S60, 2011 s60 volvo review

Car Auto Online | Volvo S60, 2011 s60 volvo review | When the Volvo S60 made its debut 10 years ago with muscular fendersand sweeping roof, it was a radical change in the dowdy box on wheels. But 10 years is a long time, and this model is desperately needed reform for some years. Therefore, the 2011 Volvo S60 is finally standing for a makeover, and theresulting car once again claims the new glamor standing, in the range of the lineup of the company.

Based on the S80 shortened platform, the new mid-size S60 is a small part of the spectrum of a medium sized car. However, elongation is 1 inch, 2 cm wider and has 2.3 inch pitch for longer than before. Inside you will find a design low-key but elegant Volvo consoles including the trademark "floating" center control panel. Subcutaneous, 2011 Volvo S60 promises more interesting to run a much faster rate and the choice of suspension control options, including more closely calibrated to the Sport version is copied to "Dynamic", as well as Volvo's adaptive setup "Four-C" .

The company known for making safe cars has not forgotten his roots. As such, the 2011 S60 features the latest advances in security technology called Volvo pedestrian detection with full automatic braking. This system has the ability to detect pedestrians at least 31 inches high, then you can apply braking power to avoid a collision, even if there is no action. At lower speeds (about 21 mph or less), you can bring the car to a complete stop, while at higher speeds it slows down the S60 to reduce the severity of a potential impact. You can, of course, to regain control of the situation, focusing on all the danger.

The 2011 Volvo S60 will be available initially only in the high range, the most successful "T6" form, which means that a sport turbo inline-6 ​​300 hp and AWD. Later in the model year before T6-wheel drive available, like the T5 trim, the latter being familiar with thebrand inline-5 turbo making 227hp.

Despite Volvo's claim that the 2011 S60 is the sportiest sedan it has ever sold, it still doesn't exactly match the fun of a BMW 3 Series or Infiniti G37. Yet many buyers are more interested in the sort of comfortable, quiet and refined ride offered by an Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and for them the S60 should be a smart, stylish alternative. It took awhile, but Volvo is finally back in the game.

Volvo S60 Exteriors, Trim, Options

The 2011 Volvo S60 is a midsize luxury sport sedan currently available in a single T6 trim level.

The S60 T6 comes with all-wheel drive, a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, front sport seats (eight-way power with memory settings for the driver), leather upholstery, aluminum interior trim, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker audio system with a single-CD player, satellite radio, HD radio, an iPod/USB interface and an auxiliary audio jack.

Going for the optional Premium package gets you adaptive xenon headlights, a sunroof and a power passenger seat. The Multimedia package upgrades the S60 with a 12-speaker premium sound system, a rearview camera and navigation system with real-time traffic updates. The Climate package adds heated front seats, heated windshield washer jets, rain-sensing wipers and an interior air quality system, while the Technology package includes adaptive cruise control, collision warning with auto brake, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and driver alert control.

Individual options include the FOUR-C adaptive suspension, a more compliant "Touring" suspension (no extra charge), 17-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot alert, keyless ignition/entry and a rear-seat entertainment system with dual display screens.

Volvo S60 Powertrains, Performance

The 2011 Volvo S60 T6 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder that makes 300 hp and 325 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual shift modes is standard, as is all-wheel drive.

Though we haven't yet track-tested the S60 T6, Volvo claims a 6.2-second 0-60-mph time, which feels accurate based on our seat-of-the-pants impressions. Fuel economy is average compared with other six-cylinder models in this class, with EPA mileage estimates of 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined.

Safety

Upholding Volvo's sterling reputation for passenger protection, the 2011 S60 T6 comes loaded with standard safety features that include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, whiplash-reducing front head restraints and City Safety. The latter can help the driver avoid rear-ending other vehicles or a stationary object at speeds of up to 19 mph by automatically applying the brakes if he doesn't react in time.

Optional (via the Technology package) is Volvo's new pedestrian detection feature, which can apply full braking force (reducing speed by as much as 22 mph) to help you avoid hitting pedestrians who are at least 31 inches in height. This package also includes adaptive cruise control and a lane departure warning system. Other safety options include front and rear parking sensors and a side blind spot warning system. Furthermore, available as a dealer-installed accessory is a front blind-view camera that extends your field of vision when pulling out of a blind driveway.

Volvo S60 Interiors, Features

Interior designs in the 2011 Volvo S60 are on par with the rest of the entry-level luxury sedan class. You may not care for the heavier graining on the dash and doors, but there's no denying that the leather, vinyl and plastic used in this cabin are of solid quality. Volvo offers a different take on the expected wood and metal accents that give the S60's cabin more personality than most rivals.

TheStraight-forward dual temperature setting and "mode man" icon to make adjustments to the climate control system intuitive. The audio system is very easy to use, too, although the lay-out of small audio buttons is starting to look dated. The system of available DVD-based navigation, fortunately, far from complex backof the steering wheel controls seen in the previous Volvo and take a more conventional rotary controller. In practice, this interface works well, even if the navigation software of Volvo still feels a few years behindTheTimes.

As you would expect in a Volvo front seats are excellent in terms of long-distance comfort and proper support. Unfortunately, the rear seat is not so accommodating. The seats themselves are supportive, but space for legs and feet is limited to adults over the 5-foot-8. Most competitors are a little 'accommodating.

Luggage capacity of 12 cubic feet, is a bit small for the class as well, but a low floor height for easy access to space. The two rear seats and folding front passenger seat, and there is a separate ski pass-through.

Volvo S60 Driving Performance

Although we would not call it a sport sedan - driving enthusiasts will still find BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G37 with more - the Volvo S60 T6 2011 provides handling that is safe on his legs, making it easy to find a pace that suits you from corner to corner. The steering is precise and well weighted feel substantial without being heavy. Around the city and highway S60 also offers a tour remarkably gentle and calm.

The power supply is hard to fault as a turbo-6 offers a smooth, pleasant and aurally, while the six-speed automatic gives the same smooth shifting.

Tweet