New S60 shapes up to beat 3-Series!

Volvo sets sights on BMW with saloon stunner with choice of cutting-edge engines; hybrid on way.

Auto Express Car Reviews

10th November 2009

Meet the curvy compact exec that aims to build on Volvo’s growing reputation for creating stylish, exciting cars. These are the first official pictures of the new S60, and while no image of the rear is available yet, drivers clearly have a great deal to look forward to.

It’s inspired by the concept which debuted at the Detroit Motor Show in January, and features the same swooping coupé roofline and neatly rounded edges. It’s even finished in the same copper paintjob! Inside, the cabin is set to be equally dramatic, with LED lights and a swooping dashboard, incorporating an LCD instrument panel.

Volvo has announced that the showroom-ready S60 will be unveiled at March’s Geneva expo – and that production will start early next summer at the firm’s plant in Ghent, Belgium. Bosses have also promised that the newcomer will be equipped with the innovative Pedestrian Detection system – a groundbreaking safety feature that can sense people in the road in front of the car, and apply the brakes automatically if the driver doesn’t react.

Although the engine line-up has yet to be confirmed, buyers are set to be offered an all-new 1.6-litre direct-injection EcoBoost petrol turbo unit, delivering 180bhp. A 1.6-litre diesel is also on the cards – this is likely to power an ultra-efficient DRIVe model.

It’s uncertain whether a high-performance R version of the new S60 will be produced. Sources close to the project say they want to emphasise the car’s eco credentials instead. A hybrid is in the pipeline, though. This will be developed from experimental work Volvo carried out with an all-electric C30.

Prices for the newcomer have yet to be finalised, but it’s expected to cost less than the larger V70 estate. The range could start at around £22,000.

10 Comments

The next Saint car??

Roger Moore & Val Kilmer made a great Trade mark with Volvo in their time as Simon Templer. It said somewhere the next Saint will drive a Volvo again, this time S60 instead of C70. But to promote this car I wouldn't mind any Volvo model. But I do want Simon Templer to come back drive a Volvo, I don't mind this new S60.

By deviras on 10 November, 2009, 8:28am

No need for V8

Well the new Volvo S60 is beauty & power enough 5 to V6. That enought only let the S80 with the V8 or also X90 4WD too.

By deviras on 10 November, 2009, 8:31am

S60

It looks good but will it seat 5 - there seems to be a growing trend for the decent looking exec coupes to only seat 4 people - If Volvo buck that trend then I'll be buying one as the a5 is no good for me! (Audi missed an opportunity in not offering 5 seats as an option!)

By dboi75 on 10 November, 2009, 8:57am

Hyundai S60

Ahem! dboi75, it is actually a saloon, not a coup'e. Remove the badge and it could be anything. Looks like a Primera, or something Korean. Sounds like it had some clever stuff on board though

By Focus_your_mind on 10 November, 2009, 11:48am

A right cracker!

I've been waiting for this car to become available. I'm sure there'll be more than 2 engines as noted in the article. I look forward to test driving it along with a few others (Audi A5 5 door; Alfa 159) when I come ot change my current A4. If it's as comfortable as my old Volvo S40 was but with a bit more pizazz I'm sure it'll sell well.

By Bristolbluemanc on 10 November, 2009, 1:56pm

Um...

I'm sorry, but anyone who loves and is whipped by BMWs is not going to be smitten by a car who's overhangs front and rear are reverse in proportion to those on the 3 series... and this car is a swoopy Volvo with European Ford design elements. Take a look at the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. See anything familiar?

By bhallett on 10 November, 2009, 3:33pm

Surely,not a 3 series beater

Really i don"t like it and i think that bmw 3 series will stay at the top of compact cars

By black_ghost87 on 10 November, 2009, 3:39pm

Looks aren't everything!

Yeah, ok I agree it looks good. But an increasing number of cars seem to compromise their prime function (to seat people and transport them) in order to look funky. If an adult can't sit in the back because of the sloping roof, then what is the point of the thing? Unless you only ever carry children, the car is immediately rendered useless!

By pajbse on 10 November, 2009, 5:29pm

S60

hmmm.........I wonder if it's coincidence given that the profile looks quite similar to Vauxhall's Insignia. That's no bad thing incidentally, the Insignia is a nice looking car as is the S60. It's good to see that Volvo are still breaking away from the square designs of old and the nose has changed yet again with this model. I wonder if the next generation S40 will continue this theme.

By nick7 on 10 November, 2009, 5:55pm

The Day Volvos, stop looking like Volvos,will be the Day i may buy one.
The grill alone has looked dated for over Thirty years!

By toycollector on 10 November, 2009, 7:44pm

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