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2012 Volvo S60 and XC60 R-Design get slight boosts in power

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Crossover, Volvo

2012 Volvo S60 R-Design

2012 Volvo S60 R-Design – Click above for high-res image gallery

While the R-Design packages for the Volvo S60 and XC60 add a measure of visual flair to the Swedish family-haulers – as well as some suspension tweaks – the one thing they’re lacking is a commensurate boost in power. The Volvo R-Design models are closer to an AMG, M-Sport or S-Line appearance package than an actual Mercedes-Benz AMG, BMW M or Audi S or RS performance model. But Volvo is out to fix that with a pair of revised offerings for 2012.

Bearing the same R-Design nomenclature, the sporty versions of the S60 sedan and XC60 crossover will now benefit from an extra 25 horsepower and 29 lb-ft of torque coming out of their turbocharged six-cylinder T6 engine, bringing it up from 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque to 325 hp and 354 lb-ft respectively.

The rest of the parameters carry over from the existing R-Design models, but the increased output ought to make Volvo’s warmed-over range that much more enticing. Unfortunately, the upgraded engine does not appear, however, to be available on the V60 R-Design sport wagon that bridges the gap between the S60 and XC60 models.

Follow the jump for more details in Volvo’s official press release, and click the thumbnails below to scope out the fresh batch of images released with the announcement.

Gallery: 2012 Volvo S60 R-Design

[Source: Volvo]

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2012 Volvo S60 and XC60 R-Design get slight boosts in power originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Volvo S60 earns IIHS Top Safety Pick award

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Volvo, Luxury

2012 Volvo S60 IIHS Crash Tests

2012 Volvo S60 IIHS crash tests – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo can stick another feather in its safety cap. The 2012 S60 has officially been awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick judgement by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That means the sedan managed to net top ratings in all IIHS crash tests, including front, side, rollover and rear evaluations. Vehicles awarded the Top Safety Pick designation must also come standard with electronic stability control.

According to the IIHS, it’s been a while since the S60 has carried the institute’s highest honor. The vehicle’s previous generation had no problem netting good ratings in both front and rear tests, but was only rated as acceptable in side impact evaluations. Additionally, the new roof strength tests weren’t in place for the vehicle’s last iteration. IIHS says that Volvo improved the design of the S60 enough to net higher side impact ratings and pass the new rollover tests with flying colors.

IIHS says that the roof of the S60 stood up to 4.95 times the weight of the vehicle. Currently, the federal standard is only requires a vehicle to withstand a force equivalent to 1.5 times its weight. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: 2012 Volvo S60 IIHS Crash Tests

[Source: IIHS]

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2012 Volvo S60 earns IIHS Top Safety Pick award originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Volvo S60

Filed under: Sedan, Volvo, Reviews

How Volvo Got Its Groove Back

2011 Volvo S60 – Click above for high-res image gallery

During the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show keynote, Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby discussed his plans to shift the Swedish automaker away from the rest of the premium segment. This doesn’t mean that the quality of materials or craftsmanship is going to suffer, but instead of creating products that are specifically engineered to compete with the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Volvo will be working to reaffirm its own unique Swedish brand identity.

The 2011 Volvo S60 points the way forward for the brand’s new groundwork. The ‘naughty’ new sedan is stylish, luxurious and has the guts of a true sporting sedan, but it just doesn’t come close to the sort of precision we find in an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series. Fine, then, that the Volvo has plenty of other impressive qualities to give it a unique edge over the competition. Consider it a premium sport sedan for people who don’t want the stereotypical premium sport sedan.

We recently welcomed a Blazing Copper S60 to the Autoblog Garage to see if Volvo’s recipe for uniqueness has created a delicious dish of Swedish engineering.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo S60: Review

2011 Volvo S60

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Review: 2011 Volvo S60 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Volvo S60 flogged around track by… blindfolded Kiwi racer?!

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Volvo

Jonny Reid drives the Volvo S60 blindfolded

Jonny Reid drives the Volvo S60… blindfolded – Click above to watch the video after the break

We don’t exactly know why this video was filmed, other than the fact that it’s somehow supposed to make us more interested in the Volvo S60, but we don’t really care – just because it’s cool is reason enough for us.

In any case, well-known Kiwi racer Jonny Reid, who is currently competing in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, belted himself into the driver’s seat of a brand new 2011 Volvo S60 sedan at the starting line at Hampton Downs Motorsports Park in New Zealand.

No big deal, right? Not until you consider the fact that Reid was blindfolded and going all out based solely on his knowledge of the track and the instructions from his co-driver, Earl Bamber. We can’t really say how it compares to any other times, but he ended up lapping the track in one minute and 28 seconds.

Now, it should be noted that Reid knows Hampton Downs very well. In fact, he’s a track instructor during driver training and corporate events. Still, the video is pretty darn cool, and in the end, that’s all we really care about, right? See for yourself after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo S60: First Drive

2011 Volvo S60

[Source: Car & SUV]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Volvo S60 flogged around track by… blindfolded Kiwi racer?!

Video: 2011 Volvo S60 flogged around track by… blindfolded Kiwi racer?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2012 Volvo S60 to get updated turbo five-cylinder as base engine

Filed under: Sedan, Volvo, Luxury

2011 Volvo S60

2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD – Click above for high-res image gallery

It seems that the Volvo S60 is set to get a wee bit less naughty for the 2012 model year as the Swedish automaker rolls out a base model for the American market. Sure, we’ve sampled the 2011 edition and were mostly impressed by the safety-first company’s latest effort, but so far, only the range-topping S60 T6 model with all-wheel drive (shown above) has been available.

While Volvo has yet to offer up all the details of what’s in store for 2012, a document from the Volvo Overseas Delivery program managed to make its way online, and it leads us to believe that the base engine for the S60 will indeed be a turbocharged five-cylinder as before. The good news is that the workhorse mill, otherwise known as the T5, has been upgraded a bit for its new duty, reportedly putting out 250 horses rather than the 227 currently on offer.

In related news, the same documentation indicates that the cost for a new S60 using Volvo’s overseas delivery program will be $29,880. Expect the U.S. MSRP to be somewhat (though not substantially) higher. In addition to the T5 engine, that will net you a front-wheel drive S60 without the T6’s Dynamic Chassis, speed-sensitive steering or leather seats (Volvo’s T-Tec upholstery will be standard). Want to know more? Hit up the Kilometer to see the full leaked document.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo S60: First Drive

2011 Volvo S60

Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL
[Source: Kilometer Magazine]

Report: 2012 Volvo S60 to get updated turbo five-cylinder as base engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo reveals S60 and V60 R-Design models ahead of Paris debut

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Volvo, Luxury

2011 Volvo S60 R-Design

2011 Volvo S60 R-Design – Click above for high-res image galery

Volvo has been so kind as to give us an inkling of what to expect from the company when it arrives at this year’s Paris Motor Show. The Swedish carmaker will display new R-Design versions of both the S60 sedan and the V60 wagon. According to the press release, both cars will receive the usual go-fast treatment, starting with a few aesthetic changes outside. The R-Design cars will wear a more aggressive fascia up front, unique 18-inch alloys, revised sports seats inside and a few suspension tweaks to help everything stay planted through the twisties.

That means firmer bushings all the way around, a strut-tower brace up front and lower, stiffer coils on all four corners. The icing on the cake is a new corner traction control system that uses a torque-vectoring system to make for smoother cornering, a compelling feature that we just tested on the plain-jane S60 T6 all-wheel drive. Don’t look for any extra horsepower under the hood, though. Volvo has left the usual array of engines completely untouched. Both the R-Design S60 and V60 will debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show next month. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo S60 R-Design

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Volvo reveals S60 and V60 R-Design models ahead of Paris debut

Volvo reveals S60 and V60 R-Design models ahead of Paris debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Volvo S60

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Volvo, First Drive, Luxury

Not The Naughtiest of Volvos, But Definitely Up To Something

2011 Volvo S60

2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo has been gearing up the promotion machine for its new S60, and it’s taking an unusual tack, referring to the Swedish automaker’s latest sedan as the sportiest and “Naughtiest Volvo Ever.” This, of course, may seem a bit like proclaiming that Greg was the rebel in the Brady Bunch. It might have been true, but the Swedish automaker’s lineup hasn’t exactly been fraught with the sort of characters that your parents warned you about, has it?

If this S60 is ‘naughty,’ it’s probably in the same way that going to prom with your mother is ‘naughty.’ It’s wrong, certainly… particularly for the couple sharing your limo. It might even be a bit dangerous – for your social life – but at the end of the day, the core wholesomeness of both mothers and Volvos can’t be denied, right?

Well, perhaps not. After all, although it was developed under the Ford umbrella, this new S60 comes to market with new ownership (China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group) and new leadership (former Volkswagen of America head Stefan Jacoby). And that is some rather sexy sheetmetal – particularly when it’s slathered in such an assertive paint color. But what’s going on beneath the skin? You’ll have to follow the jump to find out.

Gallery: 2011 Volvo S60: First Drive

2011 Volvo S60

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First Drive: 2011 Volvo S60 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heico Sportiv adds aggression to new Volvo S60 [w/video]

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Videos, Volvo, Luxury

Heico Sportiv reworks the 2011 Volvo S60 – Click above for high-res image gallery

We got a glimpse of it not long ago in renderings, now Heico Sportiv has taken its retuned 2011 Volvo S60 to the track and brought us some souvenirs of the day. Changes are restrained yet aggressive outside, with added front lip components and a rear diffuser that wraps around four tailpipes, in addition to a set of attractive gunmetal Volution wheels.

Under the hood is where the real oomph resides, with power outputs hitting the 297 horsepower and 258 pound-feet in the 2.0T, and 330 hp and 339 lb-ft. in the T6. In the T6 model, that will get you from naught to 62 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds. Follow the jump for all the details and to see it in motion, and have a look at the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Heico Sportiv 2011 Volvo S60

[Source: Heico Sportiv]

Continue reading Heico Sportiv adds aggression to new Volvo S60 [w/video]

Heico Sportiv adds aggression to new Volvo S60 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Volvo crowns Paris ‘naughtiest’ city in Europe as part of experiments tied to bizarre S60 launch

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Volvo, Luxury

Vovlo tests the world’s naughtiness – Click above to watch video after the jump

Some habits die hard. Swedish manufacturer Volvo has always been one for extensive research. The company’s reputation for safety is based largely on its understanding of the mechanics of a collision thanks to impossibly thorough field studies. So it should come as no surprise that when we all thought Volvo was putting down the clipboard in favor of a cocktail glass by throwing a slew of parties in some of the world’s most iconic cities, the carmaker was actually studying human behavior. Go figure. Why? The move was part of the quest to unearth the Naughty Capitol of Europe as part of the S60 marketing campaign.

Each of the company’s parties included a few clandestine experiments designed to test participants’ naughtiness, including seeing how many people would try to talk their way into a fake VIP room, hit on an actress who was pretending to be married or sprint through a well-manicured flower bed. Volvo held the same experiments in Berlin, London, Milan, Paris and Madrid. Not surprisingly, the City of Light took the crown by a wide, wide margin. Hit the jump for a look at a video of Swedish sins.

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Video: Volvo crowns Paris ‘naughtiest’ city in Europe as part of experiments tied to bizarre S60 launch

Video: Volvo crowns Paris ‘naughtiest’ city in Europe as part of experiments tied to bizarre S60 launch originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heico Sportiv previews 330-hp tuned 2011 Volvo S60

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Volvo, Luxury

Heico S60

Heico Sportiv Volvo S60 renderings – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’re all pretty excited about the launch of the 2011 Volvo S60 – the sedan that could make or break Volvo’s worldwide appeal. We haven’t driven it yet, but the shapely new S60 certainly looks like it means business. We hope that it retains that solid “Volvo-ness” that we’ve come to love, while adding a welcome dose of driver involvement.

Even though the S60 hasn’t quite hit the road yet, Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv already has plans for its first modified version of the new sedan. These renderings show an S60 with sharper, more aggressive design elements, including hot new wheels, a revised front fascia, and a rear diffuser that encompasses quad tailpipes. Mechanically, Heico plans to rework the suspension and exhaust, as well as boosting output to around 330 horsepower – 30 more ponies than the standard S60 T6. We’ll take one in matte black, please.

Gallery: Heico Sportiv Volvo S60

[Source: Heico Sportiv]

Heico Sportiv previews 330-hp tuned 2011 Volvo S60 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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