2007 Volvo S60 Reviews

It ran a close second in the 2011 Carsguide Car Of The Year contest which shouldn't have surprised anyone in the know. Volvo's S60 T4, the base model S60 (from $48,990), is a quality medium size sedan with strong performance and plenty of kit - oh, an it looks pretty hot too."Only" a 1.6-litre, turbo four cylinder  -- with variable cam timing and direct fuel injection which makes it good for 132Kw/240Nm. This translates into a highly satisfactory drive feel with plenty of poke underfoot and excellent roll on acceleration from speed. It also means the T4 sips fuel at around 7.2-litres/100km. The engine is smooth and quiet offering near silent highway cruising. It prefers premium unleaded but will run without protest on the low grade stuff. The thing that really makes the T4 is its six-speed dual-clutch "manumatic" transmission offering rapid fire gear changes that are barely perceptible. Plenty but also plenty of options if you want to exercise your writing hand. As it stands you get leather upholstery, excellent audio, Bluetooth, pollen filter, heated seats, multi function trip computer, cruise, wheel controls and push button start/stop (which we could do without - unnecessary).Gets a five star rating but goes well and truly above and beyond the call of duty with clever stuff like City Safety. And if you have a sneezy disposition, the entire car is made with hypoallergenic materials.This is the final T4 instalment as it goes home soon but the experience has been illuminating convincing us that you don't need a large or even medium capacity engine to get strong performance. The 1.6 in the T4 is a crackerjack offering performance that won't disappoint even enthusiastic drivers and then rewards backs up with light fuel consumption.The audio in this car is not intuitive and some might find it a challenge to use. Simple dials are a better bet we reckon. The boot is large, the cabin is roomy and it looks great.Volkswagen's impressive Passat 118TSi is a direct competitor - at a lower price but it doesn't quite have the same "cache" as the S40.

Volvo's handsome S60 has shifted the Swedish automaker up a cog in a number of areas - style, value, safety and performance.But the latter got a real boost following the arrival this week of a special, locally-fettled S60 T6 model called the Polestar.COMPETITIVEIt's a funny name derived from a company connected through motorsport to Volvo for decades. Polestar is in the box seat to provide guidance on performance models that allows Volvo to "compete'' with AMG and M Sport enhanced cars from Benz and BMW.The S60 Polestar doesn't face-off with the Benz C63AMG or the BMW M3 in outright hard-edged performance terms. It's not far behind though being more of a grand touring vehicle with an easy to drive feel (at half the price). The initial Polestar run is limited to 50 vehicles priced from $82,990 - a ten grand premium over the S60 T6.LOCAL EFFORTThe Polestar "brand'' is likely to be introduced on other models in the local Volvo lineup and is under close scrutiny from Volvo head office in Sweden which is likely to pinch the idea if it's successful here.THE PACKAGEThe Polestar car gets some cool kit with gorgeous 19-inch Heico alloys fitted with ultra low profile rubber and there's a stainless Heico quad outlet exhaust with tuned sports note. The turbo, 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, petrol engine's control computer is re-chipped to deliver more power and torque rated at 242kW/480Nm. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 10.2-litres/100km.The upgrade is carried out in Sydney at Volvo Australia headquarters and the Polestar has full factory warranty and maintains a standard factory service schedule. The new engine program delivers a mountain of torque (grunt) from low in the engine rev range and into the mid-range.EQUIPMENTBeing based on the T6 means the Polestar scores a heavy inventory of safety equipment - and all wheel drive through a six-speed automatic transmission from Japanese manufacturer Aisin.The dynamic package remains the same as the T6 model. A range of settings is available to the driver through "My Car'' on the trip computer. Inside is a sea of leather and metallic fascia with a comfy seats, easy to use controls and a modern design. There are seats for four, five at a pinch and a decent boot.THE DRIVEWe had a real good go at the Polestar covering some 300km of mixed urban, freeway and country roads. It's a rapid piece of kit for sure, hitting hard off idle and ripping through the mid engine speeds like a sprinter.But in deference to everyday driving requirements, it buttons off a tad approaching peak revs. So the focus is more on mid-range response for overtaking and such like. It is super quick in this area blasting past slow vehicles in a blink. The suspension is sporty firm but not too jiggly and we liked the steering which offers sharp responses.The auto worked best in normal D mode because it hunts a tad in the sport mode. No wheel paddles are fitted which is a bummer because it means you have to take your left hand off the wheel to sequentially change gears using the stick shift. A small annoyance.VERDICTImpressive effort from Volvo. A seriously quick car at a sharp price. Looks the business, safe, stylish, well equipped, an engaging drive.  They should do a wagon version too.VOLVO S60 T6 POLESTARPrice: $82,990Warranty: 3 years unlimitedResale: 44 per centCrash Rating: Five starsEngine: 3.0-litre tutrbo inline six; 242kW/480NmBody: four door five seats Dimensions: 4628mm (L); 1865 (width); 1484 (h); 2776 (wb)Weight: 1684kgTransmission: Six-speed automatic; AWDEconomy: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

I did so want to believe the soon to be sole surviving Swedish carmaker was sponsoring the star turn of a Stockholm gentlemen's club.Yet while the model's designation might make for base humour, this limited edition sports tourer is no laughing matter. The meekest throttle opening makes that abundantly apparent. Polestar is Volvo's motorsport and performance partner.This house of fast cars (not fast women) has devised the software solution by which the already impressive 3.0-litre inline turbo six of the S60 becomes weapons grade.While there's but 50 to be had, a positive reception all but guarantees further such gambits from Volvo Australia. We wager this is a cert.VALUEAt $82,990, the Polestar carries no slight premium over the T6 with an R-Design kit and sports suspension. Essentially the extra $10k gets bespoke wheel/tyres, computerised zap, diffuser and exhaust. But in addition to this and the un-Germanly high spec of the T6, the Polestar brings the allure of virtual uniqueness. Volvo undertake to protect the investment by resisting the temptation to bring in more of this edition.Each is individually numbered and further distinguished by a discreet but distinctive Polestar badge hard by the R-Design logo. It's a subtle, desirable addition to a car that scarcely lacks on-road presence, an aspect enhanced by 19-inch Heico alloys around which are wrapped 254/35 Pirelli P Zeros with a ride height dopped by  by 15mm.DESIGNVolvo having mercifully dispensed with the "a bit naughty" ad campaign, we can now enjoy the lines of arguably the handsomest four door on the road free of the compulsion to grind teeth and clench fists.If it's true certain Asian auto house designers don't so much as sharpen a pencil until they've got an eyeful of the latest wares of their Euro contemporaries (and let's face it, they don't), it'll be treat to see affordable renderings of this distinctive sedan.Captivating enough unenhanced, the S60 appears full of intent and even predatory with the R-Design/Polestar treatment. It's in the eye of the beholder, to be sure, but do make mine white. Within all seats, particularly those up front manage the rare feat of being both supportive through bends and comfortbale over the long haul.TECHNOLOGYThis is a tuning package, Volvo are at pains to emphasize, that is not achieved via a chip not a plug in nor by any means of the tuner's dark art. Rather it's a bespoke software application that boosts the blown inline six's already formidable output by 18kW and 40Nm to a blistering 242kW/480Nm. That's better than the recently discarded V8 of the bigger S80 saloon.This is got to the road in an orderly and effective fashion via a six-speed Aisin torque converter auto (there being no in-house twin clutch transmission to handle all this twist) and an on-demand all-wheel-drive that kicks at 1/16th of a rotation variation in wheel speeds. Effectively that's instantaneous.SAFETYToo often Volvo road tests read like a cut and paste of the safety spec, so volumous is aspect. We'll spare you that, save to once more enthuse about the effectiveness of the Volvo's blind spot warning system and, in this instance patricularly, superb brakes that have cosiderable bite without breaking the ABS barrier.Almost equally reptitively, the S60/V60 range's massive caveat remains the absence of any sort of spare tyre. A boot space eating space saver package is a cost option. This appalling omission arguably cost the S60 entrant  the otherwise excellent T4  Carsguide's Car of the Year.DRIVINGVolvo people are at pains to paint their Polestar as anything but an M car or AMG, more an equivalent to the BMW and Merc below that exalted level. At any rate, the Polestar is a hugely able sporting grand tourer, rather than a sports sedan per se. Off the mark performance is rapid  the 0-100km/h time is shaved back to 5.8 seconds. Save for front wheel chirrup as the traction control kicks in, delivery is almost completely linear.That can't be said of the steering, which even in the lesser models is just a bit too abrupt off centre and more so here due to the rigid walls of the specially selected Pirellis. Not that it's innacurate or, at at about 2.7 turns lock-to-lock, overly quick.Rather this slightly artifical feel makes you think twice about exploiting the immense grip and corner carving potential that would surely approach  its klick crushing straight line capability. Tyre roar on coarser surfaces and a rigid, but generally complaint, ride are more than acceptable trade-offs not only for the dynamic but the visual enhancement they provide.VERDICTA blessing to the eye with soul-stirring performance to match, the Polestar is a fine alternative Euro. In the absence of genuinely new models, look forward to more such digressions from the Volvo norm.VOLVO S60 T6 POLESTARPrice: $82,990Warranty: 3 years unlimitedResale: 44 per centCrash Rating: Five starsEngine: 3.0-litre tutrbo inline six; 242kW/480NmBody: four door five seats Dimensions: 4628mm (L); 1865 (width); 1484 (h); 2776 (wb)Weight: 1684kgTransmission: Six-speed automatic; AWDEconomy: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

We still can't get over the fact that the medium size Volvo S60 T4 luxury sedan has a 1.6-litre engine. Albeit it's turbocharged, but it sure doesn't feel like a little 1.6. Except when your visits to the servo are once in a blue moon.Volvo is party to the worldwide trend towards smaller capacity, high-tech, force-fed petrol engines to replace larger gas guzzlers. If this is the way of the future, then bring it on.ENGINEThe direct injection engine, a blood brother to the 2.0-litre in T5 Volvos, sees duty in other cars with and without turbocharging and is a crackerjack good for 132kW/240Nm output. Fuel consumption is a handy 7.2-litres/100km and has been hovering around that mark for the past six weeks of our "ownership." Better still is the price which Volvo pitches at $51,990.KITThis money gets you plenty of kit including luxury, safety and performance equipment. You can specify what type of dynamics you prefer - Touring or Dynamic and the electronic safety stuff such as stability control has sports modes. Ours has the Touring suspension which adds extra comfort.COMFORTSWe have grown to appreciate the leather seats electrically adjustable for the driver, and pollen filtration system that knocks out diesel smoke from the ventilation system. The audio system is impressive and we can't see why you'd spend the extra on an upgrade. You only have two ears after all.SAFETYSafety equipment is manifold and includes City Safety that helps prevent rear enders in traffic. The car gets a five star crash rating and has dynamics capable of avoiding a collision in the first place. Though the "base model" the T4 has stylish 17-inch alloys and a quality "European" look to its flanks. The boot is large and there's plenty of room inside.VERDICTWhat's not to like?

Here's a hard one for you. Do you go for a small engine, low spec' German prestige car or, for the same or less money, a fully kitted out Volvo S60 T6 with a 224kW/440Nm six cylinder engine at $64,950.In the past you might have hesitated but we would vote with our wallet in the case of the new S60. It's takes the sales race right up to the high-priced Europeans, pulls out, overtakes them and leaves them in the dust - literally.Lexus comes close(ish) with its new, base model IS350 but is a rear wheel drive and can't match the Volvo for kit.On top of that, the S60 is styled to delight with a coupe look to its sculpted flanks and a contemporary interior with easy to use controls and appealing materials. Volvo boasts about the safety of S60 and it's right up there as you'd expect . But the new technology safety features are optional in a $5000  "Driver's Support Pack" that includes collision warning with auto braking, pedestrian detection using a camera and radar, adaptive cruise control with queue assist lane departure warning, driver fatigue warning and blind spot warning. The pedestrian detection system is a first and is so important, it should be standard on the S60.But that's enough of the safety stuff because this is a sporty sedan with impressive performance credentials thanks in part to the 3.0-litre turbo straight six transversely mounted up front feeding all four wheels though a sweet six-speed auto transmission.The engine has been around for a while and is uprated in this instance to Euro 5 emissions spec' as well as having significantly more power and torque. It features a twin scroll turbo which functions across a wide engine speed range boosting performance from idle to redline without turbo lag.Fuel economy is quoted at 10.2 litres/100km combined but we saw better than that on a freeway run. The preferred brew is premium unleaded.Coupled with the potent engine is a sporty ride and sharp handling that are just right for a wide mix of driving. Comfy over rough roads, the adaptive suspension also holds the S60 firmly in corners controlling its 1888kg bulk admirably.The "Advanced Stability Control" system offers torque vectoring that further aids car control. It selectively brakes or cuts power individually to each wheel. Other dynamics are up with the engine including the steering and brakes.We really appreciated the well shaped seats and all that the S60 has to offer inside particularly the premium audio system that is right up there with the best. There is also full iPod connectivity, large format GPS screen, comprehensive trip computer, Bluetooth, voice control and a multi function wheel to occupy your drive time.The leather interior gives a pleasant driving environment and the entire interior is made without toxic substances. Our only real complaint is the tyre inflation kit in lieu of a spare of any kind and the manual adjust lumbar support which is difficult to use.The S60 is also available in diesel five cylinder and turbo four cylinder versions for less money. The four is a front wheel drive only. Is the S60 enough to drag well-heeled punters out of their 3-Series, A3 or C-Class?Maybe, especially if they want value for money which the S60 offers in buckets to say nothing of how it looks and goes.VOLVO S60 T6Price: from $64,950.Engine: six-cylinder; 242kW/480NmTransmission: 6-speed sports auto; AWDBody: 4-door, seats 5Safety: Driver's Support Pack, auto braking, pedestrian detection, blind spot warningWeight: 1888kg (est)Thirst: 10.2L/100km

Who said the Swedes were a war-fearing nation? It made a mother of all warships in the 17th century and, to really scare the bejesus out of its enemies, the king loaded it up with 64 huge cannon. The result was a floating armament store, piled with all types of weapons to make life unpleasant for anyone who attacked. No-one did because on the morning of August 10, 1628, only 1300m after exiting the Stockholm harbour on its maiden voyage to the cheers of the Swedes, it promptly rolled over and sank. A hull too narrow, too much heavy-calibre cannon sitting high above the waterline and open lower gunports contributed to the Vasa's sinking and much egg on the face of King Gustav II Adolf. Since then, the Swedes became pretty minimalistic with their transport. The result, at least their most recent result, is a car like the S60 which - paring things right back - doesn't even have a spare wheel. Brilliant.VALUE The four-cylinder S60 T5 costs $51,950 which is pretty good value compared with its rivals. Shoppers would probably hunt down a BMW or Audi first but really, in comparison, the feature list of the Volvo is longer. The Volvo's turbocharged engine will also give most similarly-priced rivals a real run for their money.Standard gear includes a huge list of safety equipment, but closer to your fingertips are things like rear park sensors, electric park brake, auto wipers (but no auto lights), Bluetooth/iPod/USB connectivity and leather upholstery.DESIGNGrandma wouldn't recognise this as a Volvo. It's sleek, with a gently sloped roof ending in a neat boot line, and has a broad grille that hints at Simon Templar's P1800. It's not a big car - think Mazda6 or Camry - and has similar cabin space, though the full-grain leather is a treat and the dashboard is beautifully simple and has that look of quality.True, there's no room for a spare wheel but Volvo will happily strap a space-saver to the cargo floor. Truly, if Hyundai can fit full-size spares in its light-car Accent, surely clever Volvo can find space?TECHNOLOGYThe fact this is powered by a 2-litre four cylinder engine and yet is sprightly and even fun to drive, is remarkable in itself. Most of the news is in this car's safety technology starting with the standard City Safety which automatically brakes the car at low speeds when it sensors something ahead.There's lots of no-cost gear on the T5 and if you want more, the safety package of  adaptive cruise control, collision warning with full auto brake, queue assist, pedestrian detection, blind-spot information system and lane departure warning with driver alert control will add a reasonable $5400.SAFETYVolvo and safety are synonymous. Aficionados of the marque reckon Volvo is Swedish for "safe" - in fact, it loosely translates as "I roll" - which is reflected in the car's five-star crash rating, a textbook list of passenger cell features designed to protect life, a chassis full of electronics and even the nimbleness to get out of the way of an impending accident. For the record, standard equipment includes City Safety, brake-ready alert, ESC and emergency brake assist.DRIVINGThe feeling of solidity has never left Volvo, even from the first time you open the door. The car is built strong, feels confident and safe and is always comfortable and quiet so it doesn't upset the occupants. On paper the 2-litre T5 has a few things against it - perceptions of power being one - but those quickly vanish.The steering is a bit light and vague but it tracks corners perfectly and holds its line very well regardless of the road surface. The six-speed dual-clutch box allows some degree of sporty driving but overall, this is better as a cruiser. The dash controls are big, well marked and easy to use and the visibility is pretty good - all combine to package up the car as one that is simple and easy to drive. VERDICTIf you're still slagging off against Volvos you're a dinosaur. Get with the times and appreciate that Volvos are now stylish, affordable and even fun.VOLVO S60 T5Price: $51,990Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmResale: 56%Service Interval: 15,000km or 12 monthsEconomy: 8.6 l/100km; 204g/km CO2Safety Equipment: six airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC. Crash rating 5 starEngine: 177kW/320Nm 2-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch autoBody: 4-door, 5 seatsDimensions: 4628 (L); 1865mm (W); 1484mm (H); 2776mm (WB)Weight: 1542kgTyre size: 235/45R17 Spare tyre noneOthers to considerAUDI A4 1.8 TFSIPrice: $55,700Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 118kW/250NmTrans: CVT auto, front driveBody: 4-door sedanThirst: 7.2L/100km, CO2 169g/km"Top quality but engine/gearbox combo is sleepy while rivals areoffering more value"BMW 320iPrice: $56,100Engine: 2-litre, 4-cyl petrol, 115kW/200NmTrans: 6-speed auto, rear driveBody: 4-door sedanThirst: 7.6L/100km, CO2 176g/km"Hard to see the value here. New model around the corner"LEXUS IS 250Price: $55,800Engine: 2.5-litre, V6 petrol, 153kW/252NmTrans: 6-spd auto, rear driveBody: 4-door sedanThirst: 9.1L/100km, CO2 214g/km"Top quality, feature-filled sedan that's a nice drive backed by slickservice/warranty/customer care program. Winner"

It's Volvo's stated aim to reduce the capacity of its engines to cut fuel use and emissions while at the same time improve performance.

There's a serious risk that Volvo has produced a car you can lust after. The S60 T6 Performance Project (PP) takes the top spec level of the already respected mid-sized sedan and lifts it to new heights of performance and style.Developed in conjuction with Volvo Australia, and spotlighted at the recent Australian International Motor Show, the car starts with the stonking T6 version of the S60. Then it throws in the extra fruit and attitude of R-Design spec and adds tuning by Polestar -- Volvo's motorsport partner, and successful campaigner in years of world, British and (of course) Swedish touring car championships - plus performance garnish from German tuning house Heico.The result is something that looks sharp, goes hard and will leave you with a smile on your face. Ticks all the lust boxes, then.VALUEVolvo will be bringing in a limited edition of 50 cars starting in December, and they could disappear quickly, spokesperson Jaedene Hudson says. "There was a lot of interest at the motor show. People wanted to buy it right there and then."However she says the final price is still to be determined. The bad news is that it's unlikely to be cheap. But if kept within a competitive margin, it will offer more bang for your buck than some other European brands - and much more bang outright than you ever dreamed Volvo could produce.That means somewhere between the $70,000 of the current S60 T6 R-Design, and the nearest competitors. Mainly the Germans, of course, but with Lexus also well in the loop when you're looking for an upmarket sedan with spirit.That puts the strategic ceiling at the $81,300 of the Lexus IS350 Sport Luxury - which still leaves Volvo a fair margin for movement - with the two nearest Germans the Mercedes-Benz C300 at $84,900 and the Audi A4 3.2 FSI quattro at $91,000. There's a BMW 335i M Sport at $108,200, but at that price it's nearly in another segment - and also not best value.TECHNOLOGYThe Polestar tuning means the T6 engine - a 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbo petrol six-cylinder - develops an extra 18kW of power at 242kW and 40Nm at 480Nm. In addition, it spreads the power peak from 5600rpm out to 5400-6500, while the extra torque has a new peak of 3000-36000, rather than the lower - but flatter -- plateau of 2100-4200.Polestar marketing director Hans Baath says the tuning aims to smooth out the turbo effect and deliver the outputs more progressively.It also delivers quicker acceleration, dropping the 0-100km/h time from 6.1 seconds to 5-8 seconds, while maintaining the 10.2L/100km economy and 243g/km emissions.The six-speed auto feeds the outputs to all corners, with a Haldex all-wheel drive system.Heico's exhaust system and 19-in wheels with Pirelli tyres are added enhancements to the R-Design spec, which lowers the car by 15mm and includes sports suspension with better damping at the rear, plus stiffer springs and bushings.DESIGNThe S60 is a well-shaped sedan to start with, and adding the R-Design body kit sharpens up the styling with a more aggressive front fascia, boot spoiler and rear diffuser. It doesn't shout at you, but it's enough to get second - admiring - glances.The cabin gets the R-Design three-spoke steering wheel, sports seats with more bolstering, alloy pedals and ultra-techie blue dials.It's yet to be decided what nameplate the car will wear, with the prospect of it bristling with badges by the time you add the blue Polestar square and Heico's logo to the R-Design.SAFETYWe could just write 'Volvo' under this heading and leave it at that. But it's worth mentioning that in addition to a five-star crash rating and all the usual active and passive features - including eight airbags, flashing emergency brake light and emergency brake assist -- it has a crash-avoidance system that will prevent impact at low speeds by automatically braking you. But it doesn't have a spare wheel of any kind, so you have to rely instead on a goo kit. That's possibly fine in metro areas where the streets are swept weekly and you're not far from rescue if necessary. But if you do regular trips that mean wading through the rubbish strewn on highways, you might think about buying a fifth wheel and strapping it down in the boot.DRIVINGThe S60 T6 R-Design is already a bit of a stealth weapon, but adding the Polestar tuning gives it that bit of extra joy.Granted, it's not going to swipe the mid-sized performance sedan crown from Merc's C63 AMG - but it's not going to cost $150,000 either. It's going to be somewhere about half that price but it's much more than half that good.Polestar has lived up to their gleeful promise of smooth, strong pull from the 3.0-litre. And while it has dropped the 0-100km/h time by just 0.3 seconds - not something you're going to measure in everyday driving - it's very noticeable in the 80-110km/h overtaking range. Stamp the pedal and the S60 PP surges forward with the promise that there's more on tap when you want it.Flicking the transmission over into Sport mode produces a marked mood change, giving you earlier downchanges, and also lets you hold a gear until the revs near the limit, raising the sweet Heico exhaust note to a stirring yowl. It's also going to raise the already double-digit fuel economy to somewhere with real bowser sting.It's solid and confident on the road and you'd have to push it hard - very hard - to get it out of order in cornering. The car's weight and the all-wheel drive system means it doesn't feel as agile as something like the C63 AMG, but it's going to give the nearer price-point rivals a decent run for their money. And a share of their market.VERDICTIt's a pity the edition is limited to 50, but that's still 50 buyers who might not go home with a German prestige sedan.VOLVO S60 T6 PPPrice: $75,000+ (est)Engine: 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbo six-cylinder; 242kW/480NmTransmission: 6-speed sports auto; AWDBody: 4-door, seats 5Safety: five-star (est): 8 airbags, ABS, EBD, BA and moreWeight: 1888kg (est)Thirst: 10.2L/100km 95RON; 243g/km CO2Sharp, stylish and punchy, but it's thirsty.

Volvo’s all-new S60 has a strong sporting appearance, with a shapely front and a domed roof that swoops down in a continuous line to where it meets the rear windscreen.

A step up from the entry level model, the T5 R Design represents the best of both worlds in this range. It's powered by the excellent turbocharged direct injection 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engine, coupled with probably the best twin clutch transmission in the business. On top of that, you get all the eye candy that comes with the R Design pack including lowered sports suspension.VALUEThis car is going to give the Germans a shakeup. For $56,150 you get a lot of car, but bear in mind it's not all-wheel drive like the diesel or top of the range T6. Standard kit includes climate air, cruise control, leather trim, Bluetooth, rear park assist and an eight-speaker audio system with AUX and USB inputs.TECHNOLOGYThe turbocharged direct injection engine produces 177kW of power and 320Nm of torque, the latter from alow 1800 revs. For those who have been following the story, this is essentially the same engine that will make its debut in the Falcon soon - though Ford is yet to confirm the output. Being a four rather than five cylinder engine it has less friction and better economy as a result. The dash from 0-100km/h takes a brisk 7.5 seconds and the official fuel economy rating for the car is 8.3 litres/100km. What's more it produces only fractionally more C02 than the diesel at 193g/km. What's not to like?The six-speed Powershift transmission is a robotised double clutch design which we reckon is the best example of this style so far, with quick smooth gear changes.DESIGNThe S60 is designed to stand out and that doesn't just mean large tail lights. There's little point in being reserved or understated when the premium sports sedan market is full of mainly German extrovert models, says Volvo design director Peter Horbury. The look is enhanced by the R Design body kit and the sports theme continues inside with sports seats, a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, sports leather gearshift lever, sports pedals, and R-Design floor mats, trim inlays and watch-dial instrumentation.SAFETYIt's a Volvo isn't it?  Scores five stars and Volvo reckons it's the safest Volvo they've ever made.  The T5 is also fitted with a bewildering array of standard safety gear including six airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes, Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) and the latest generation Side Impact Protection System (SIPS). City Safety is also standard which will automatically brake the car up to a speed of 30km/h to prevent rear enders. There's also plenty of optional safety system which you can add _ they're bundled in a pack for $4990.DRIVINGThe T5 is a quick study, apart from the electric parking brake which is pull to release (try getting your head around that). It's comfortable, easy to drive and cuts through the traffic without fuss, with strong engine response and smooth gear changes that make it difficult to pick as a twin clutch.Our test car was fitted with blind spot awareness that flashes a warning if there is someone lurking beside you who is not visible in the mirrors ($1275 well spent). We were getting about 9.8 litres/100km from 67 litre tank.The ride quality is excellent despite the low pro rubber and larger 18 inch wheels and stability control does a great job of preventing understeer, though we gave it our best shot a couple of times. The phone controls are located on the centre instrument console and not marked as such but distinguised instead by red and green colouring. Pity you can't display a digital speedo.VERDICTImpressive car. Way better looking than its predecessor. Well equipped, cabin is bright and inviting and it feels light and nimble. At the price it should really going to put some pressure on BMW's beloved 3 Series.Volvo S60 T5 R DesignPrice: $56,150 driveawayWarranty: 5 years/100,000kmResale: 40 per centSafety equipment: ABS, DTSC, BA, City SafeCrash rating: 5 starsEngine: Turbo petrol 4-cyl; 177kW/320NmBody: four doors, five seatsDimensions: 2,776mm (wb); 4,628 (L); 1,865(w); 1,484 (h)Transmission: 6-speed Powershift with Neutral Control functionEconomy: 8.3L/100km; 193g/km