After going nearly a year without a midsize offering, Volvo has finally made its 2011 S60 sedan public today at the Geneva Motor Show. Though it clearly follows Volvo’s current design language, the S60 promises even more active and passive safety along with sporty performance.
The production S60 follows in the same basic design theme as the S60 concept car introduced earlier this year, although, as expected, it tones down a few of the concept’s more outlandish details. Still, the look is tasteful and not especially conservative for a Volvo. Although it breaks little new ground, the shape is cohesive and instantly recognizable.
In addition to a new design language, the new S60 seems to demonstrate Volvo’s desire to move toward more slender A- and C-pillars for increased visibility. Over the years, these structural supports have become much thicker on most vehicles for structural and styling purposes. Volvo seems to have kept the styling up to snuff, but no word on materials were used to keep up strength.
Volvo’s latest pedestrian-recognizing safety technology will also make its debut on the S60. Capable of detecting when a collision with a pedestrian is imminent, the system automatically triggers the S60’s brakes to prevent an impact. While the technology might seem dubious on wide North American roads, it makes sense in Europe where 14 percent of all car wrecks involve a pedestrian on the continent’s crowded, narrow streets.
European S60s will be available with either comfort-oriented or sport-oriented suspension packages, and Volvo promises that the S60 will be its most engaging product when it hits the road. The outgoing S60 was neither as sporty nor as plush as its rivals, so the automaker appears to be taking its new model in two different directions.
Few official details about the North American-specification S60’s powertrain options are known at the moment, but we do know that the range-topping engine will be a a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine good for a healthy 304 horsepower, and mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. A direct-injected, turbocharged gasoline 2.0-liter four-cylinder will also almost certainly come to North America, producing 203 horsepower and available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. A hybrid is also in the works.
The next S60 was originally slated to hit the market early this year, but the current economic slump has pushed that launch back until early summer of 2010. The automaker says that, when the S60 goes on sale, it hopes to move 90,000 units internatinoally – about a third of which will be allocated to North America.
03/02, 9:18 AM
posted by:
ayrtonJ
That front end is unbelievably fugly. The tail lights remind me of the current model Civic.
03/02, 10:04 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
30,000 US sales seems a little optimistic to me. What’s the pricing going to be? You know this will just compete internally with the S80 if it costs too much. They need a model under $30,000 no matter what.
03/02, 10:36 AM
posted by:
inspire
That front end has so many influences … hard to put a finger on it. Dual headlight configuration s like the GS/E-class … big grill like the Audi / hints of MB gull-wing … raking on the front hood like a Chrysler ??? It does seem a bit too busy. The rear does have some similarities to a Civic … but has some Volvo-esque qualities to it (ie squared off but some roundedness at the edges).
I think one would have to look at it in person to give it an honest opinion. Pictures does not necessarily capture the car all the time …
03/02, 11:02 AM
posted by:
mobile1ph
That cyclops front air vent is weird. Interior almost looks like any Volvo out there right now. I like the exterior though.
03/02, 11:20 AM
posted by:
vvmasterdrfan
I think it looks very sleek and beautiful. this car will sell great.
03/02, 11:51 AM
posted by:
bryan78701
Interior is ugly. Nothing really stands out about the exterior.
03/02, 11:54 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Too bad… they had a real opportunity here to make an almost Buick-esque revival. About the only good thing I have to say is it looks better than any new Lincoln. Then again, a lot of kitchen appliances look better than any new Lincoln.
03/02, 1:10 PM
posted by:
TornadoGTI
I think this car looks great. If priced under $35k to start it will sell great. Bring back an R and then you have a real A4/C-Class/3-series competitor. I always liked the last gen car but it dated very quickly and that was back when Volvo was making VERY conservative cars instead of SLIGHTLY conservative cars as of late.
@JakeK66 – This WILL be priced between the S40 and the S80. The S40 starts at about $26k and the S80 starts at about $42k. This should be priced along the same lines as the outgoing model. $32k-$40k. More like IS250/350 then A4/328/C300. Probably along the lines of the current Saab 9-3 as that is their largest competitor. It won’t compete internally with the S80 because the S80 is larger.
A3=S40
A4=S60
A6=S80
03/02, 1:24 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
I get it Tornado – but when you factor in the massive incentives on S80’s the picture gets blurred. As you know, I used to have a GTI and I recently traded it in for a off lease S80. The S80 isn’t that big, it’s smaller than a Accord. I don’t have the dimensions of the S60 but I highly doubt it’s that much smaller than the S80 it shares most it’s mechanicals with. So unless Volvo decides to discount the S60 to the 27-30k range, they may see the overlap being a problem.
03/02, 2:21 PM
posted by:
teddyc73
Good job… they had a real opportunity here to make and almost Buick-esque revival and they did it. About the only bad thing I have to say is it doesnt look quite as good as the new Lincolns. Then again, there isnt much out there, especially not the appliances from Japan, that looks as good as the new Lincolns.
03/02, 2:26 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
Based on Tornado’s size/competitor chart above, I expect the next V50 will grow and become the wagon version of this S60.. essentially a dropped/decladded XC60.. then the next-generation C30 and S40 will be joined by a 5-door version of the C30 (called V30) to round out the range.
03/02, 2:37 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Touche teddyc! Although I still maintain that if you need enough chrome to be visible from orbit your stylists simply aren’t trying hard enough.
03/02, 2:43 PM
posted by:
JKT6
I saw it 2 days ago on the Geneva auto show (I was working there) and it is not bad but it is the only model they have on their stand! Only 6 S60s!
03/02, 4:05 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
It looks awkward in pictures, and in some ways I don’t want to like it. Volvo’s for too long have simply been too boring and conservative, and their sales have displayed that.
03/02, 7:15 PM
posted by:
mattbear66
no bad, a bit generic but better looking than all other recent Volvos bar the C30
03/03, 12:18 AM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
This is a gorgeous car. I’m really loving the new Volvos alot. God they are gorgeous. Ever since my roomate had his 850, I didnt know too much about Volvos before then. Then my roomate got his 850 and I was really amazed at how awesome his car was. And man it had pick up with the turbo 5 and people don’t kid around when they say Volvos are built like tanks. It felt like one when you drive it.