The Volvo S60 is being further refined, with the sights firmly set on sharpening the sedan model's already sporty profile. When it comes to design, the front spoiler (option) has been redesigned to get a more pronounced and protruding contour at the bottom. On optional variants the entire front spoiler, including the sills and rear lower bumper, are colour coordinated with the car body. The boot lid can also be specified with a sporty new wing spoiler. The 2007 model also gets a new grille with a larger and more pronounced Volvo emblem in the form of the classic but rejuvenated iron symbol. The door mirrors feature integrated side indicators. At the same time, a practical new indicator function is being introduced: Press lightly on the lever and the indicator flashes three times. Three new exterior colours - Electric Silver, Orinoco Blue and Maple Red - give increased freedom of choice, as do the three new aluminium wheels - Nodus (7x16 inches), Tucana (7.5x17 inches) and Eudora (8x18 inches).
"We're making the S60 even sportier in every respect," says Gerry Keaney, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service "We've both spiced up the design and fine-tuned the chassis to create a car with even greater driving appeal."
Sportier interior with metal decor trim and twin-tone leather upholstery
The interior has a number of new features, including new Grid Aluminium metal decor panels. These panels are optional and have been designed to create a more three-dimensional impression and tactile feeling. On the column stalks, the air intake controls and the steering wheel, aluminium bright work has been added. The bright work is also included on the new three-spoke sports steering wheel in perforated leather (option). To further enhance the sporty tone, the instrument panel can be optionally specified with the same type of watch-like instruments introduced in the Volvo S80 and that were previously the exclusive preserve of Volvo's sportiest model, the S60 R. Another new option is the interior rear-view mirror with built-in compass. The range of upholstery has been renewed with a sporty leather upholstery option in two contrasting shades and textures topped with contrasting stitching.
Increased driving pleasure with advanced chassis
In order to highlight the car's sporty nature out on the road, the standard chassis has been further developed in a number of areas. Firmer shock absorbers and springs front and rear increase the car's torsional rigidity by about 25 percent. The anti-roll bars are also sturdier than before and the bushes are solid, which together promote a harmonious balance between reassuring road manners and supple ride comfort.
"The further-developed chassis makes the S60 even sportier and more enjoyable to drive without compromising on comfort," says Gerry Keaney.
Powertrain and chassis
The engines in the Volvo S60 are five-cylinder, transversely installed in-line units. A five-cylinder engine gives low vibration and smooth operation. Together with large displacement, the five-cylinder configuration provides high torque across a broad rev band, and thus also swift acceleration and excellent driveability within a wide speed range.
The Volvo S60 T5 is the top model, featuring a turbocharger and a six-speed gearbox. The engine range also includes diesel engines with particle filters, and the environmentally optimised Volvo Bi-Fuel which can be run on methane or petrol.
The chassis, with spring struts at the front and Multilink axle at the rear, is set up for stable, reassuring driving manners and alert steering response. The Multilink rear axle is an independent rear suspension system featuring a number of links and it is designed to offer a good combination of controlled wheel movements and high ride comfort. Some of these links have the task of providing a certain degree of anti-skid steering effect. A long wheelbase and wide track, together with a very torsionally rigid body, contribute to the predictable, controlled driving manners.
Volvo's advanced DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) stability-enhancing system is fitted as standard. DSTC cuts in and helps stabilise the car if it registers any tendency to skid. An active chassis with advanced Four-C technology is available as an option. With this system, the chassis settings are adjusted automatically to suit the current driving conditions, thus improving both handling and ride comfort. Two alternative chassis settings are programmed into the system. At the touch of a button, the driver can thus alter the car's behaviour to suit driving conditions and personal taste. The Volvo S60 2.5T AWD has Volvo's electronically controlled All-Wheel Drive system with Instant Traction, for fast and effective distribution of traction even when moving off on a slippery surface.
Active Bi-Xenon Light - turning headlights
The Volvo S60 can also optionally be equipped with Active Bi-Xenon Light - the moving headlight beams that follow the curve of the road. A mini-processor is used to measure and analyse a number of parameters and optimise the beam pattern accordingly. The headlight beams can be turned up to 15 degrees in either direction, and can thus illuminate a longer stretch of road even in curves.