2010 New York Auto Show: 2011 Volvo S60
What is it? A stylish four-door with a Swedish twist
The basics: Coupe-like styling and efficient powertrains
On sale: In the second half of the year
Price: $32,000-plus (est.)
Fresh from its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the 2011 Volvo S60 made its North American debut at the 2010 New York auto show, only days after Ford sealed a deal with China's Geely for the Swedish automaker.
The new sedan will go on sale in the second half of the year, with a handsomely rounded shape that's a pleasant update of the current car, though it's not too distinct from the larger, plusher S80 sedan. Inside the S60 has the edge: the five-seater has an ultra-cool floating center stack of controls that pushes the Swedish design ethos into a hipper direction.
Performance in other world markets will include a range of gasoline and turbodiesel engines. In North America, however, there will be just one drivetrain, at least at launch: it's a high-performance turbocharged in-line six, teamed to a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The powertrain makes 304 horsepower and 324 pound-feet. The S60 likely will follow in the path of the XC60 crossover, which launched with the same powertrain and has since added a front-drive version. Volvo estimates the new mid-size luxury sedan will accelerate to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, and will reach a top speed of 155 mph.
Underpinning the new S60 is an independent suspension that shares some components with Ford's European Mondeo sedan. In this application, Volvo adds optional, adaptive suspension (Four-C) and steering systems that offer comfort, sport and advanced driving modes. The S60 can be ordered in a normal or a sport-tuned version.
It's sized to slot under the larger S80, but the 2011 S60 is still a five-seater with ample space for all its occupants. The rear seat splits 40/60 and the trunk opening is claimed to be more generous than the previous-generation S60.
Safety features are offered up in spades, with a new Corner Traction Control feature designed to smooth cornering by redirecting torque between the axle, a Pedestrian Detection safety system that can automatically stop the car if it detects a pedestrian walk past and the driver fails to stop. Volvo's City Safety feature, pioneered on the XC60 crossover, automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops. The S60's stability control adds in data from rollover sensors to give it an additional iota of preventative safety. There's also Driver Alert Control--a version of a system that debuted in the Mercedes E-Class, and which flashes the now-infamous coffee cup when it detects drivers making erratic moves. Parking sensors are included, and the S60 has front and rearview safety cameras, with wide angles of sight.
To keep passengers entertained, there's a new infotainment system that aggregates data from the audio unit, navigation system, mobile phone and other functions on a seven-inch color screen in the upper part of the center console. Audio features range from Dolby surround sound to a high-end system from Swedish soundmeisters Anaview.
Official pricing hasn't been released, but the 2011 S60 likely won't move much off the current car's price point.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Preview: 2010 Volvo C30 Hatchback
• What is it? One of the most stylish three-door hatchbacks on the market
• The basics: Ultra-frugal engines and a practical hatchback body
• On sale: Next year, with a public showing and more details at the Frankfurt auto show
• Price: $24,000 (est.)
Volvo’s ultra-stylish C30 hatchback has a received a facelift for the 2010 model year and has been revealed today ahead of its official world debut at the Frankfurt auto show in less than a week’s time. Once again, the C30 will be offered in numerous configurations thanks to a wide selection of drivetrains, design details and equipment levels.
Styling of the car has been revised to feature elements from Volvo’s 2009 S60 Concept that was unveiled at the Detroit auto show earlier this year and brings the styling of the hatch in line with Volvo's new design language.
In fact, the entire front has been redesigned, including body panels such as the front wings. This gives the car a radical new appearance from the front, carving out a distinctive personality which clearly separates it from the Volvo S40 and V50.
New elements include a larger Volvo badge, new air intakes similar to those found on the XC60 crossover, and a newly designed grille. Designers have also added an ‘Orange Flame Metallic’ paint scheme, visible exhaust tailpipes on the T5 and D5 models, and two new wheel options.
Inside, Volvo’s trademark floating center stack gets a redesign, as does the aluminum door handles.
Upgrades to the chassis sees the car made stiffer and with more distinct properties than previously. The steering is more precise owing to the installation of stiffer bushings and a lower steering ratio. Spring stiffness has been increased by 30%, while the dampers and roll stabilizers get some added stiffness to boost handling performance.
The engine lineup consists of both gasoline and diesel units and ranges in output from 100 horsepower from a compact 1.6-liter unit to 230 horsepower from a range topping T5 turbocharged 2.5-liter mill. The most fuel-efficient model is a 1.6-liter turbodiesel with engine stop-start technology, which returns a claimed fuel economy of 60 mpg.
Transmission choices include a six-speed manual gearbox and two automatics, a regular five-speed auto and a six-speed Powershift dual-clutch unit.
Expect more details, including U.S. specifications, closer to the car’s sales launch, due early next year.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
