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Volvo has taken the wraps off the all-new S60 sedan at its new plant in Charleston, South Carolina, United States, which will be the model’s global production site.
It is built on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). Henrik Green, Volvo’s research and development boss, said: “The active chassis and driving modes deliver excellent control and an engaged platform that makes this a driver’s car.”
The S60 is 4,761mm long, 2,040mm wide (including mirrors) and 1,431mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,872mm. It will weigh from 1,680kg, and has up to 442 litres of storage. The car sports double wishbone front suspension, with an integral axle at the rear.
Due to go on sale early globally by next year, the S60 will be offered with a choice of four petrol engines including two plug-in hybrids. This is part of Volvo’s pledge to offer electrified versions of all new models from 2019 onwards. No diesel engines will be offered.
The plug-in hybrid engines include Volvo’s supercharged 2.0-litre T8 Twin Engine, which produces a combined 390hp, with the 303hp petrol engine driving the front wheels and the 65kW electric unit powering the rear axle. That model offers 640Nm and can achieve 0-100kph in 4.9secs on its way to a top speed of 250kph.
The T8 Twin Engine option will also be offered with a ‘Polestar Engineered’ performance upgrade, developed by Volvo’s new performance sub-brand. That upgrade includes revamped wheels, brakes, suspension and a tweaked engine ECU which boosts combined power to 415hp.
The Polestar Engineered S60 produces 670Nm of torque, and is 0.2secs faster to 100kph than the regular version. The maximum speed is unchanged.
The entry-level S60 engine is the 250hp, four-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbocharged T5 that drives the front wheels and claims a 0-100kph time of 6.5secs. There is also the T6 supercharged all-wheel-drive unit with 310hp, which will come with with a plug-in hybrid option. Every engine option sends power to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Along with the the SPA platform and exterior styling, the S60 also shares the V60’s safety and Sensus Connect infotainment systems. These include optional Pilot Assist system and City Safety autonomous braking capability.
In international markets, the S60 will be available through Volvo’s new Care by Volvo subscription service, allowing people paying a set monthly fee for access to cars without owning one.
Volvo’s new Charleston factory, where the S60 will be built, cost £772 million (about Rs 6,940 crore) and has been under construction since 2015. Initially, it will employ around 1,500 people expanding to 4,000 when it reaches its full capacity of 1,50,000 cars annually. The next generation XC90, due in 2021, will also be built at the plant.
Expect Volvo to bring the new S60 to India sometime next year.
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