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Volvo S60
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The Volvo S60 is a compact executive sedan produced by the Swedish automaker Volvo since the year 2000. An all-new S60 is expected for the 2010 model year.
First generation
The S60 marked a clean break for Volvo from the boxy design that many stereotyped the brand with in 1980s and 90s. Its design by Peter Horbury built upon the styling of the S80 and was the most marked departure from traditional Volvo styling since Horbury joined the firm in 1992.
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Encyclopedia
The Volvo S60 is a compact executive sedan produced by the Swedish automaker Volvo since the year 2000. An all-new S60 is expected for the 2010 model year.
First generation
The S60 marked a clean break for Volvo from the boxy design that many stereotyped the brand with in 1980s and 90s. Its design by Peter Horbury built upon the styling of the S80 and was the most marked departure from traditional Volvo styling since Horbury joined the firm in 1992. Accordingly, Volvo marketed the car as heralding a “Revolvolution.”
It was built upon Volvo’s P2 platform, which was shared with three other Volvo models: the S80, the V70 and the XC90.
The S60 was refreshed in 2005. The exterior was updated with body-colored side moldings and bumpers, as well as new headlamps. The T5 engine received an increase of 10 bhp.
S60 Police specification (UK & EU)
Police specification models came about through Volvo’s extensive work alongside the users of the vehicles and Police Fleet Management departments. As a result the Police specification vehicles have a striking difference from original showroom model.
Firstly the suspension was up-rated to deal the demands of Police work; this included fitting the front suspension of the D5 model variant (as the suspension was designed to deal with the heavier diesel engine). Nivomat self-levelling suspension was also fitted to the rear to ensure correct geometry of the vehicle, regardless of the weight carried. On early models, the clutch was also replaced with the stronger D5 unit.
A larger specification battery and 110A alternator was also fitted to run all the extra equipment, along with a dedicated Police fuse box in the boot. Extra wiring looms are also fitted specially for the Police radios and other equipment, including CCTV cameras. Additional electrical noise suppression has been added so as not to interfere with the sensitive electronics the police use.
The speedometers in the vehicles are calibrated from the factory and do not require recalibration unless the wheel and overall rolling diameters are changed.
vented front disc brakes were also fitted alongside special brake pads (and wear indicators) specially designed to cope with high-speed pursuits.
From 2001 - 2004 the 2.3 T5 engine was used and 2005 onwards the 2.4 T5 engine is used. Also beyond common speculation and myths, the engines are not chipped or modified specially for police use, they are complete factory spec but in 'exceptional cases' the speed limiter (250 km/h) may have been removed.
S60 R
First introduced in 2003, Volvo's S60 R boasted AWD (Haldex) mated to a / engine. 2004-2005 models came with a 6-speed manual transmission, as well as a 5-speed automatic which allowed only torque in 1st and 2nd gears. 2006-2007 models were available with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The 2006-2007 Automatic Transmission allowed for the full torque of in all gears. Other aspects which drew the R apart from standard S60's were the four piston brakes (BREMBO) front and rear, optional 18" 5 spoke "Pegasus" wheels, blue faced "R" gauges, standard HID headlights, as well as the 4C suspension system. (4C stands for "continuously controlled chassis concept") The 4C feature allowed the user to select from three modes; Comfort, Sport, and Advanced. This tightened the suspension progressively, and also made for a more aggressive throttle response when in "Advanced" mode. This is easily accomplished due to the fact the throttle is drive by wire, meaning the throttle is connected to the accelerator pedal via electronics instead of a traditional cable design. This allows for different throttle maps to be in place, which can be electronically altered to give a different feel when the accelerator is depressed. The S60 R continued the tradition of "R" cars for Volvo beginning in 1995 with the introduction of the 850 T-5 R.
Top Gear reviewed the car in episode 9 of series 2. They panned the overly complicated and intrusive traction control system, and it set a slow lap time of 1:35.0. But they also found it to be very comfortable and civilized, and especially recommended the estate version. Jeremy Clarkson noted "More like a miniature version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom than a serious competitor to the BMW M3."
Engines
- 2.0: , , petrol
- 2.0T: , , petrol, turbo
- 2.4; , , petrol
- 2.4i: , , petrol
- 2.4T: , , petrol, turbo (replaced by 2.5T)
- 2.5T , , petrol, turbo
- 2.3 T5: , , petrol, turbo (2001 - 2004)
- 2.4 T5: , , petrol, turbo (2005 - present)
- R: , , petrol, turbo
- D: , , diesel, turbo
- 2.4D: , , diesel, turbo
- D5: , , diesel, turbo
- 2.4 Bi-Fuel CNG: , , CNG/petrol
- 2.4 Bi-Fuel LPG: , , LPG/petrol
Second generation
The second generation S60 is scheduled to arrive to show rooms some time during 2009. According to Volvo's senior vice-president & design director, Steve Mattin, the all new S60 is expected in late 2009. This new sedan will show off Volvo's completely new design language already seen in the Volvo XC60 concept. This new sedan will ride on the same platform as the XC60 and expect to see the next generation V50 become the estate variant for this new sedan. The new Volvo S60, V70, and XC60 will all ride on the Volvo P24 platform. Volvo has confirmed that the new S60 will become the true new rival for the Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4 and the BMW 3-series, as Volvo is undergoing new product alignment. The S60 will shrink in size to fit this role more precisely and avoid any confusion with the S80. New features would include the new large Volvo iron symbol, parallel to the grille day running lamps, and larger spaced letters in the brand name on rear. The last of the first generation S60 is set to roll off the factory line in Ghent in December 2008.
In early 2008 the second generation Volvo S60 was sighted on Volvo's test facility and also sighted parked at Volvo Torslanda Plant. The new entry level luxury sedan is expected to carry over the radical new look of Volvo that was warmly received by the public with the new Volvo XC60. The S60 is also reported to have the V50 as its new estate version, as the S40 is speculated to end production at the end of the current product cycle in 2009.
Concept
Volvo Cars announced Volvo S60 Concept, which features a four-cylinder 1.6L petrol engine using highly-efficient Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDi). The car would appear in 2009 Detroit Auto Show, while first production vehicle with GTDi technology will be introduced in 2009.
S60 in motorsport
In 2006, entered an all-wheel-drive S60R in five races of the Speed World Challenge GT class. It was driven by Michael Galati and finished 14th in the overall standings, winning one race (at Mosport). The S60 is the car of the factory Volvo team in the Swedish Touring Car Championship, where it has finished 2nd in the drivers' championship twice and won the manufacturers' title once.
The S60 is featured in the Xbox 360 game Forza Motorsport 2.
See also
External links
- - Official page
- - S60R Build Sponsored By AtSpeed Motorsports
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