Volvo S60 T4 MY12 2011 review

"LESS is more." So we're assured by those who have too much and are not terribly keen on sharing it.

Increasingly, though, having less - at least in terms of engine capacity - means having more than enough, especially when it translates to paying less money. Doubly so when that asking price is a segment-busting sum.

The T4, Volvo's new S60 variant, has the smallest engine in a modern full-size Volvo sedan - an effervescent 1.6-litre direct injection turbo petrol four. With that comes a historic low pricepoint.

VALUE

A list price of $49,950 drive-away is way south of the least expensive Audi, Lexus and BMW (make no mistake, the S60 is a worthy rival). The T4 is priced barely above the top spec of the much smaller, seven-year-old S40 four-door.

That's $2K (plus charges) under what we've previously regarded as the best S60, the T5 with its four-cylinder (no, not five) DI turbo of 2.0 litres, and more than $20K under the top spec twin-turbo six. The V60 wagon is $52,950 drive-away.

Standard stuff on both the T4 and coming D3 diesel includes power pew for the driver, parking sensors, 17-inch alloys, Bluetooth audio streaming and seven-inch media screen. The $4000 Teknik pack adds headlight cleaner, satnav, blind spot warning and active headlights. Resale is lousy but this will surely improve as the S60 cements its status as a prestige player.

Sedan and wagon get segment-beating five year/100,000km scheduled servicing, five years warranty and five years roadside assistance.

TECHNOLOGY

If as further notice is needed that naturally aspirated engines are as relevant as last weekend's newspapers, this 132kW/240Nm blown 1.6-litre four chucks another bundle of 'em in the recycling.

That output approaches the 2.5 V6 of the IS 250. It helps that the lean and mean mill has only the front wheels to drive, so mass slips to an acceptably middleweight 1495kg, which is still hefty but about 50 kegs under the T5 and almost 200 under the all-paw T6.

The sole transmission is the "Powershift" six-speed twin-clutch auto that was co-developed with Ford.

DESIGN

Familiar about the place for the better part of a year now, the S60 is the item that - even more than the novel glass-backed C30 - sees off the yawnsome Volvo cardy cliches. It's a sleek, sharp-lined sedan in which four can be seated comfortably. The bling bits stuck on our version for  photography are pretty much extraneous.

SAFETY

City Safety, the system that chucks out the anchors at low speed on recognising wandering pedestrians and other objects, caps a peerless active and safety package. Passively, as ever with Volvo, the T4 feels able to withstand a rocket propelled grenade.

There is, however, no spare. Not even a skinny. I don't think this is good enough but no-one else seems to care.

DRIVING

Is this a sober four-door or a hot hatch in disguise? The T4 might lack for 400cc next to the T5 but you'll seldom feel the want of them. Its note is rorty, its response snappy enough to chirrup the front tyres.

You're never in doubt that the front wheels are doing the driving and the steering - sudden acceleration brings a modicum of torquey tugging though the fat steering wheel - but this still no boy's toy. The optional 18-inchers, as arch-filling and eye-pleasing as they are, don't reckon well with the sensible damping and skitter frenetically when the road goes rough. Stick with the standard 17s.

This is obviously a bespoke version of the Powershift, responding much more readily in automatic and manual mode than in Ford's Mondeo, though it's so adroit in Drive that shifting for yourself is largely redundant. It also allows left-foot braking. Would that all DSG-type set-ups were so good.

VERDICT

Less isn't more, but it's near enough. If you fancy an S60 - or just about any prestige car actually - try this first.

VOLVO S60 T4

Price: $49,950 driveaway
Warranty: 5 years/100,000km
Resale: 40 per cent
Safety equipment: ABS, DTSC, BA, City Safe
Crash rating: 5 stars
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo petrol 4-cyl; 132kW/240Nm
Body: four doors, five seats
Dimensions: 2,776mm (wb); 4,628 (L); 1,865(w); 1,484 (h)
Weight: 1495kg
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch auto
Economy: 7.4L/100km; 173g/km
"A toey but completely effective drivetrain makes you wonder why you'd spend more"