The All-New Volvo S60 Is A Swedish Sports Sedan Raised In America (With Video)

After the premiere of its Volvo V60 wagon sibling at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, Volvo has taken the wraps off its all-new S60, Volvo’s BMW 3 Series fighter. Along with the car’s unveiling, Volvo’s newly built Charleston, South Carolina plant has also just been inaugurated.

Outside, the Volvo S60’s prime focus is towards giving the S60 a more dynamic appearance. Its trademark front grille site proudly in the middle, flanked by a pair of LED headlights that feature the brand’s trademark “Thor’s Hammer” LED daytime running lights. Its proportions give it a more athletic stance, thanks to its long hood and short overhands. A slightly sloping roofline give the S60 a dynamic silhouette, while design details such as the broad shoulders and rising character line are clear markers that the S60 is aimed at a more driver-focused segment than the S90. The back features the C-shaped tail lights we’ve now grown accustomed to with the Swedish brand. There are three variants to choose from. The entry level variant is the Momentum, while the Inscription focuses on luxury. The R Design, meanwhile, focuses on sport, giving the S60 a more dynamic exterior design through a more aggressive front and rear bumper design.

Just like the V60, the S60 has been given a greater focus on sportiness rather than all out luxury compared to the 90 Series vehicles. For starters, the S60 features a more shapely dashboard design with the center console and Sensus infotainment screen angled towards the driver. As with all other Volvos, the S60 features a mainly minimalist dash design that is free from too much clutter and buttons. Almost every vehicle function is controlled through the Sensu infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Inscription models feature a more luxuriously finished interior, while the R Design features a more assertive interior theme.

A Volvo article wouldn’t be complete without discussing its numerous safety and driver assist features. City Safety with Autobrake is able to detect pedestrians, cyclists, large animals, and a world’s first feature, oncoming vehicles. Optionally, the Pilot Assist system can steer, accelerate, and brake the car on well-marked roads and can work at speeds of up to 130 kph. Other safety features include Run-off Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, and Cross Traffic Alert with Autobrake.

Powering the Volvo are a choice of turbocharged and/or supercharged petrol engines, or a hybrid. The T6 Twin Engine AWD PHEV features a 2.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine mated a plug-in hybrid system that produces a total output of 340 hp. A top tier T8 Twin Engine AWD PHEV\, meanwhile, has a total output of 400 hp. As for the entry level models, the T5 and T6 will be offered, which are both front-wheel drive. All these are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, while for the first time ever, the S60 will not be offered with a diesel engine, signalling Volvo’s commitment to electrification.

Exclusive to the T8 is an optional package called “Polestar Engineered, which offers upgraded wheels, brakes, suspension, and ECU. Power output for the T8 with this upgrade is boosted to 415 hp.