C ar S cene I nvestigation: Volvo S60 T6 R-Design

Volvo S60 T6 R-Design

A few months ago, we rated and reviewed the brand new Volvo S60, describing it as a quantum leap for Volvo. With the model re-introduced into the market, after running through Volvo’s exclusive R-division, we come to see how it differs from the original.

· Design & Engineering:

I will admit. Years ago, the brand name Volvo, made me think of the old aged, and retired. That changed altogether, with the introduction of the brand new, modern, and city influenced S60. With the recent debut of the S60 R-Design, Volvo takes the standard S60, and adapts it to ‘race mode’, sharpening and tweaking almost the entire vehicle. Let’s start from the front. Compare the original S60 to the R-Design version, and one immediately notices five obvious changes. The front cheeks of the vehicle now seep downwards, compared to the original model, where the curves form an acute angle, towards the center of the face. The bottom grill now flares up, so as to take in additional air, in order to power the T6 engine. Xenon lights come standard, providing a sense of sportiness when flipped on. Perhaps the most obvious item—the R-Design badge embedded smartly into the grill. Don’t forget to take a step back, for one will immediately notice the vehicle’s shortened stance. From the side, apart from sexy, 18-inch shoes, slightly more aerodynamic wing mirrors, along with an intelligent keyless door system, things stay pretty much the same as before. From the rear, the board of tinted aluminum (on the bottom, between the tail pipes) from the standard S60 has now been replaced by black, aerodynamic fins, while twin tailpipes are now outlined in chrome. A small, but useful boot lid spoiler comes as standard, and is aided by the words: ‘AWD, and T6’, for that sporty feel.

· Interior

Step into the R-Design interior, and a sense of excitement shocks you through. The full sports leather steering wheel, now features the words ‘R-Design’, carved into the sporty aluminum. Unlike the standard S60, the ‘R-Design’ model comes with ocean blue and chromium silver dial backgrounds, with a sporty red needle, inching up by the second. Sport pedals add for extra flavour. In all of their vehicles, Volvo strives for that good ole’ European feel, the R-Design S60 being no exception. Take the seats for instance, which are made of three materials: leather, cloth, and Flextech, with the insignia of the R-Design division neatly imprinted into the material. With thick-bolsters to snuggle passengers in, contrasting colour stitching adds for extra modernism. Volvo’s signature floating center console makes its way into the vehicle, with improved graphics, knobs, and buttons. A Start/Stop button tops of the cake. Back at the rear, despite the vehicle’s small sized stature, the rear bench is comfortable, and provides enough space for three adults to pack in nicely. Rear head and legroom prove to be ample for all passengers, with side air conditioning for a finishing touch. Mmm, a comfortable, sporty, yet plush interior.

· Ride & Handling

The twin-scroll 3.0-liter in-line six, turbo engine, provides the R-Design S60 with dazzling oomph, power, and speed. With 304-horse power, the Volvo easily speeds to a maximum of 250km/h, with 0-100km/h accomplished in 6.5 seconds. For a mid-sized family saloon, the Volvo pulls of its bag of tricks exceptionally well, and pleases like no tomorrow, with the aid of all wheel drive. In addition, thanks to a sportier chassis, shorter and stiffer springs, as well as a strut brace under the bonnet, the vehicle feels sporty and solid, and even manages to maintain its composure over bumpy and uneven roads. The standard S60 was criticized for its unresponsive steering; but in the R-Design version, things function as sweetly as possible. Being a Volvo, safety also comes as standard, with features such as Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake, which activates the needed brakes at low speeds of 35km/h, when pedestrians are detected in front of the vehicle. The S60 R-Design satisfies what most look for—speed and safety, in sync with innovation.