Volvo S60 R 2004 Review

True, there are still numerous examples from the brand's "square-brick" era roaming around, seemingly indestructible.

But so many Volvos giving so little trouble up to 20 years after their build date should be a big plus and not major handicap.

Volvo is acknowledged as one of the world's safest brands. The US authorities used Volvo as its safety benchmark two decades ago.

And remember, Volvo enjoyed its share of victories winning touring car championships in Australia and Europe – often embarrassing the competition by campaigning a wagon.

The latest hero model in the Swedish range is the S60 R – a 240kW R-rated performance machine which is spectacularly quick and a thrill to drive.

While other models in the stable may be proving hard to shift, the S60 R sedans and V70 R wagons are flying out of showrooms.

The initial batch of 30 has been claimed and another 70 examples are expected to sell just as speedily before the end of the year.

And why not? Both the car and wagon are genuine street machines with a 0-100km/h blast in 5.7 seconds in six-speed manual guise and 7.5 seconds with five-speed auto and sequential gear selection.

Thrust comes from a high-output 2.5-litre in-line, five-cylinder engine fed by high-boost turbocharger with dual air-to-air intercoolers. The double overhead cam, four-valves-per-cylinder engine features continuously variable valve timing. The motor is mounted in the engine bay in an east-west configuration with power fed to all four wheels.

Design director Peter Horbury – the British stylist who led the renaissance from straight lines and sharp edges to flowing, alluring curves – has resisted all temptation to overstate what the R represents.

The high-performance models do feature subtle change, but only functional modifications, mainly to improve aerodynamics for greater stability at high speeds and to beef up air flow over the radiator and intercoolers.

The nose is extended forward 30mm to accommodate the cooling plumbing and the trailing edge of the boot gets a spoiler. The result is a 25 per cent reduction in front lift and 20 per cent more downforce at the rear.

Visually, the R models are distinguished by a smaller grille with matte silver surround, bi-xenon headlights and bright blue instruments plus aluminium door and glove box inlays.

The R models get sports seats which are electronically-adjustable with manual lumbar fine tuning.

The steering wheel is grip-mounded and leather bound. So is the gear stick spat.

So much for the looks. Now for the mechanical makeup of the R-line and the driving characteristics.

Power is only part of the S60 R's glory. It is the package of stability and traction control, three-mode active suspension, speed-related power steering, and Brembo brakes as well as advanced all-wheel-drive.

Many car makers make extravagant claims about so-called advancements. With the R-line, Volvo delivers ride, handling and stability which is difficult to fault.

Any car has limits, of course. But it would take a really fast wheelman working the most demanding roads to find flaws in the Volvo.

When driven in conservative manner, the car is as user-friendly as any other luxury models with the Swedish badge. You want slow and comfortable, the S60 R can deliver. You want a speed machine with race-car-like qualities, then get stuck into the R and feel it respond.

Yet all the time, the amazing array of equipment is working continuously to compensate for overload, whether it be speed or G-forces, or any number of other conditions which impact on smooth progress.

The one exception to driver awareness is Volvo's active suspension which offers "comfort", "sport" and "advanced" settings. Many systems over have boasted an ability to offer drivers the facility to dial-up differing spring settings – mostly without delivering a discernible difference.

Not so the Volvo chassis. Comfort maximises ride comfort, sport stiffens shock absorbers to reduce body movement under extreme cornering, albeit at a cost of a degree of ride comfort. Advanced sets up the chassis for maximum road grip and safe, performance driving. Ride quality is clearly sacrificed in the "hot" mode in favour of optimum road holding and because of this Advance is recommended by Volvo only on very smooth roads. Those looking to be convinced that the three settings offer differentiation need only drive over the same roads in the same manner in all three modes. One soon recognises the mode which is most appropriate for conditions and driving style.

An extended period driving around a favourite loop through the Adelaide Hills provided proof everything in the S60 R works according to the script.

As well, the car proved itself as an agile performance car which goes where one points, turns in to bends with amazing accuracy and tracks consistently without attempting to over or understeer even when the car is driven a tad over enthusiastically.

At a glance

Volvo first introduced unfiltered performance in 1994 in the form of the 177kW 850 T5-R.

The V70R of 1999 lifted the bar to 195kW and now the S60 R brings it on with 220kW, with all the electronic finery the brand can muster.

True, the average driver who wants to keep a licence will rarely push the car anywhere close to its limits.

But performance motoring can be enjoyed (although not exploited) without breaking the law. And remember, to drive well within known tolerances is to drive safely.

IN SUM: A bloody good car.