This is the new 2019 Volvo S60, which is making its
launch debut alongside the reveal of Volvo’s first United States manufacturing
plant in Charleston, South Carolina. The S60 will look to take on rivals like the
Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.
The S60 represents a few firsts for the Swedish
carmaker, as it is the first Volvo model to be made in the US. Additionally, it
is also the first Volvo not to be offered with a diesel engine as announced
earlier, so petrol is the only path here.
All powertrains, of which there are four of them,
feature the brand’s 2.0 litre four-cylinder Drive-E engine and an Aisin-sourced
eight-speed automatic transmission. The first of the bunch is the T5, which
comes with a turbocharger to make 254 hp/350 Nm of torque that goes to the
front wheels. Further up the notch is the T6 AWD that adds a supercharger to
the mix for a total of 310 hp/400 Nm and comes coupled with an all-wheel drive
system.
Moving on, we arrive at the plug-in hybrid options,
starting with the T6 Twin Engine AWD (340 hp/590 Nm) that is shared with the
V60. Also offered is the T8 Twin Engine AWD with 390 hp/640 Nm, which can be
enhanced to deliver 405 hp/670 Nm with the optional Polestar Engineered upgrade
that is exclusive to the T8 powertrain.
Those that opt for the Polestar route will also
benefit from new wheels, upgraded brakes and suspension, plus a revised engine
control unit. Keep in mind that power outputs for the US market are slightly
different – T5 at 250 hp, T6 at 316 hp, T8 at 400 hp and T8 Polestar Engineered
at 415 hp.
Like the V60 and XC60, the new car rides on the
Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, so the company’s array of infotainment,
safety and driver assistance systems are all present, including Sensus Connect,
City Safety and IntelliSafe.
Styling-wise, the S60 looks like a sportier version
of the S90, recycling some of the cues used on the big sedan as well as the
V60. At the front, we see the same face used on the V60 with an
aggressive-looking bumper and six-point grille bearing the brand’s iron mark
logo. This is flanked by the signature “Thor’s Hammer” LED DRLs that are part
of the car’s headlamps.
As with most Volvo models, there are a few trim
packages to choose from, including the Momentum, Inscription and R-Design. The
Momentum is identified by the vertical slats on the grille that are painted
black along with the fog lamp surrounds; on the Inscription, these items gain a
chrome finish instead.
The R-Design package replaces the vertical slats for
multiple flat pins instead, and the bumper is swapped out for one with an even
wider lower intake. The new look also comes with smaller corner “inlets” for
the fog lamps and a contrasting line that frames the lower apron and highlights
the “fangs.”
Moving to the rear, we see a near replication of the
S90 with taillights that encroach further into the boot lid, although the
‘Volvo’ wording is placed above them and closer to the more pronounced lip
spoiler. Further down, we see the reflectors/rear fog lamps followed by exhaust
integrated into the bumper. On Momentum and Inscription cars, a thin strip
links these two items, while the R-Design gets a sportier frame.
On the inside, the S60 shares the same layout as the
V60, with the infotainment screen taking its spot in the middle while being
flanked by vertical air-con vents. To the left is the 12.3-inch digital
instrument cluster and different steering wheels depending on the selected trim
package.
The centre console continues to host the gear lever,
drive mode selector, electronic handbrake, engine start/stop switch, cup
holders and an armrest with storage below it. This is again, identical to the
V60, with different trims and seat types being applied depending on the
selected package. Other notable items include an optional Bowers & Wilkins
sound system and air-conditioning for rear passengers.
What of T8-powered cars with the Polestar Engineered
package then? Well, they are almost identical to the R-Design but there are now
slats in place of the front fog lamps and there are Polestar badges at the
front and rear of the car.
The interior also sees the addition of a leather
cushion for the driver’s knee and a redesigned armrest as a result. That’s not
all because there’s also contrast stitching on the steering wheel, aluminium
pedals, a crystal gear knob and gold seat belts to match the brake calipers on
the outside.
The S60 will be available via the brand’s Care by
Volvo subscription service, whereby customers will only pay a flat monthly fee
that covers the vehicle’s insurance and maintenance.