WINTER OF CONTENT
SELF-WARMING SMARTS BRING A COSY GLOW
VOLVO V60 T5 INSCRIPTION Price as tested: $72,390 This month: 437km @ 11.7/100km
EVERY YEAR it seems to happen quicker than the flip of a coin. One day I’m enjoying the summer sun, using the BBQ as much as possible when, all of a sudden, the days become shorter and the temperature drastically plummets, quicker than my attention span when Inwood speaks. Thanks Mother Nature.
Needless to say I was a bit shocked when I recently ventured out one evening and was greeted by conditions best described as Arctic. Sitting in the driver’s seat cursing the change of seasons, the V60 revealed a trick that I was completely oblivious to. When the ambient temperature dips below ten degrees, the heated seat and steering wheel automatically activate when the engine is started. A nice toasty feeling descended on me before I knew it. Joy.
Surprisingly, this feature isn’t too common among other manufacturers. Volvo’s level of ingenuity shines through again.
Something else that has been surprising is the fuel usage. The V60’s claimed figure is 6.6L/100km but
I’ve never come anywhere near that. Generally, my consumption hovers in the 11L bracket.
A trip to Adelaide was going to be my litmus test to monitor the Volvo’s usage over long-hauls, but that had to be canned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stupid bats.
While I’m not completely leadfooted, the usual start-stop driving in local neighbourhoods and rushing around dropping off kids then dashing to work, aren’t conducive to patient throttle use. The V60’s hefty 1797kg kerb weight doesn’t help either, but considering that entails the all-wheel-drive system, I’m not going to complain. If fuel economy was a huge priority, I’d prefer to pay the premium for the hybrid T8 V60 with its 2.1L claimed fuel usage. Another option is the cheaper (but still brilliant) Peugeot 508 Sportwagon with its thriftier 1.6-litre turbo proven to drink less than the V60.
My tenure with the V60 will soon be coming to an end but before I hand the keys back a long drive is on the cards. If weather permits I might grab a mate, throw some bicycles in the back and head into the hills to punish myself for getting iso-fat. Be warned; next month’s report could be grisly.