Volvo goes to Hollywood
Volvo’s svelte new thirdgeneration s60 saloon is a sportily smooth operator that drives like a delight and marks a few significant firsts.
It is the first time volvo has launched a modern range without a diesel option — which the scandinavian car company is consigning to history, relying instead on a range of frugal petrol- electric hybrid models.
It’s also the first volvo to be built in the U. s., at its new factory in Charleston, south Carolina. Which is why the global launch of the fourdoor five-seater saloon was held in the states, though on the opposite coast in California, with its mountains and scenic drives near santa Monica, Malibu and los Angeles.
It’s pitched against German rivals such as the Audi A4, the new BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. I drove two models that will come to the UK from the middle of next year.
The T6 AWD R-Design, in a fetching a Powered little later Fusion by in a 2019. Red, 2-litre, will 4-cylinder arrive turbo and supercharged 316 hp engine linked to an automatic eight- speed gearbox (with manual override), it accelerates from rest to 62 mph in a brisk 5.6 seconds, up to a top speed limit of 155mph.
It’s an easy, relaxing and comfortable drive but comes into its own in the sportier ‘dynamic’ better I also suited drove setting, the to hill more bends. which powerful is range-topping Polestar Engineered plug-in version hybrid — a sportier proposition, created with the help of the now standalone Polestar electric sibling. It combined a similar petrol unit with an electric motor, for a total output of 415 hp (in the the UK version 405hp to keep within emissions limits). Its rest to 62 mph time is 4.7 seconds and it feels punchier, especially in ‘power’ mode. Extra calipers it sits bling 12mm and includes Y-spoke lower gold alloys, than brake and the standard lithium ion s60, battery though adds the to 200kg the range two-ton of weight. up to An 28 electric-only miles is promised. C02 emissions are around 58g/km with claimed fuel economy of around 134mpg. The decidedly scandi interior is cool and smart, with an electronic dashboard, touchscreen and good satnav, and comfortable leather seats with plenty of room in the back.