Well ahead of its Geneva Motor Show introduction next March, Volvo has released a pair of official photos of its much-anticipated new S60 sedan. Traditionally Volvo’s mainstream offering, the S60 takes over for the outgoing model that was discontinued earlier this year.
When Volvo launched its XC60, design chief Mattin said it marked a whole new styling direction for the company. Judging by these official photos, that certainly appears to be the case. Mattin joined Volvo from Mercedes-Benz in 2005. At Mercedes, he was responsible for the design of the SLR McLaren and the new S-Class, among others.
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.
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 says that its pedestrian recognizing crash avoidance system will be available on the new S60.
Few official details about the 2011 S60’s powertrain are known, but we’d expect some carryover of the existing five- and six-cylinder gasoline engines in Volvo’s lineup for the North American market. A direct-injected, turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder is also likely to arrive in North America, as is, eventually, a hybrid. A standard manual transmission is a possibility, but at the very least expect a six-speed automatic.
The next S60 was originally slated to hit the market early next year, but the current economic slump has pushed that launch back until early summer of 2010.
11/10, 10:06 AM
posted by:
ChuckTown86
It looks good, of course not aa dramatic and the concept, but gets the job done. It is a bit too conservative for my taste, but if they were to make a R-design version I may have to get a closer look. Bring on the interior pics.
11/10, 10:23 AM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
I was expecting something a bit more adventurous from that concept. Something about new Volvos always looks dated out of the box to me.
11/10, 10:42 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
did they absolutely have to show this car in this ugly color?
11/10, 10:49 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
So why did they stick the Volvo nose on an Elantra?
11/10, 10:52 AM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Because they needed to come up with a redesign quickly to show the future Chinese owners?
11/10, 10:56 AM
posted by:
tastyorange
meh….
bring back the brick please
11/10, 11:19 AM
posted by:
gugy
it looks OK. I actually like it a bit.
For me the biggest thing about Volvo is their current 5 year, 60k mile warranty. That’s the most important thing for a car that seems to spend too much time on the shop and damn expensive to fix it.
Before someone flame me, My family had 3 Volvos and I know the above from experience.
11/10, 11:23 AM
posted by:
Lionwithoutpride
The swooping waistline is awful. Volvos have always combined angular and rounded . . . but limp noodle? Eh . . . leave that to Hyundai and Chrysler!
11/10, 11:30 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
Where does this fit in with the S80? My S80 isn’t really that big – it’s shorter than an ‘09 Accord (which I have also parked in my garage) so how much smaller can it really be?
I like the S80’s clean lines better anyway.
11/10, 11:31 AM
posted by:
vvmasterdrfan
I like it
the shoulder line isnt too powerful and it carries over from the concept well.
Same for the XC60, im sure it looks much more handsome in person.
the side of the car is great. nice roofline. and the wheels are nice.
that color is a bit weird though.. and where are the fog lights going?
11/10, 11:34 AM
posted by:
inspire
Are they twinning the headlights from the E-class / GS? Not sure if that’s a good idea or not. Also, they are softening the lines from the original S60 (evolutionary as opposed to revolutionary). I also see the extra body creases on the side panels which is the ‘du jour’ thing to do with most car manufacturers these days. Also, the “long” front hood / short trunk is more readily apparent in this iteration compared to the previous gen model.
Pictures may not serve this car justice (hint to Volvo: burnt orange was popular earlier in the decade with the introduction to the “new Z”…). Will have to see in person at one of the big autoshows or maybe in the lot of the local dealer (in a more appropriate color like black, white or even … played-out silver).
11/10, 11:35 AM
posted by:
Borat
At one point Volvo was stating that they would discontinue S60 since S40 “grew” and S80 really didn’t. I think it is all mute discussions since who will buy Chinese Volvo?
11/10, 11:44 AM
posted by:
rzegatl
It looks like it’s trying to sniff the road in front of it.
11/10, 12:15 PM
posted by:
A4
show us the @$$
11/10, 12:16 PM
posted by:
HavanaRob
I’m seeing some Alfa influences here – is it just me? A little Brera here, some older 156 there….
11/10, 12:59 PM
posted by:
elviososa
yeah….I want the @$$ too!!!
11/10, 2:27 PM
posted by:
And The Winner Is...
Malibu headlamp cluster. Grill surround is droopy and lumpy looking. Profile is nice, but boy that sleek roofline means only The Headless Horseman will be comfortable in the back.
11/10, 6:29 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
E-Class headlights, the previous model was pretty pretty, make it the base for this instead of making a orange orange juicer.
11/10, 9:05 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
A4 and elviososa.. unfortunately, the a$$ looks just like the current Civic sedan.. not exactly revolutionary. I have to say I’m incredibly disappointed.. Volvo could have made the S60 a true “4-door coupe” by utilizing the high squared-shoulder beltline of its other models in tandem with this slopey, chopped roofline, but instead opted to drop that one distinguishing feature in favor of faux-curvy bodysides that make it look like any other Korean car.
11/10, 9:39 PM
posted by:
e46Ne90
cheezy a5 imitation
11/10, 11:12 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
Something tells me the XC60 has halo car written all over it. All the new models are inspired by its styling. I like it. It’s a big improvement over the older Volvos.
11/11, 10:45 AM
posted by:
Donfuy
Wait wait wait, what? Where’s the traditional Volvo waist line?
I reluctantly agree with johnnycanuck and Lionwithoutpride.
Come on Volvo, you’ve done a pretty good job in redesigning your cars front ends, but please don’t screw up everything else doing it.
11/11, 7:47 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for the VW Group
Audi A5 Sportback will kick this things ass, Scandinavian cowboys!
11/11, 9:08 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
Just saw an E-Class, these Volvo’s headlights aren’t like the E-Class’, those ARE from an E-Class.