With its dynamic design, three levels of performance, innovative safety technologies, luxury features and versatile cabin, the V60 is a solid addition to the company’s 60-plus years of producing quality station wagons.
Design
Based on Volvo’s popular S60 architecture, the V60 is a sport wagon with sleek styling and a dramatic road presence. The pronounced wedge shape and slim coupe-like silhouette create a double wave from the headlights to the taillights.
The designer’s focus was on retaining the S60’s coupe-like profile, while increasing cargo space at the rear. The dip in the middle of the double wave visually pushes the car down enhancing its stance and making it look sleeker and lower. The sculpted hood and short overhangs also emphasize the athletic stance.
Technology
The V60 is the first Volvo to offer the new Drive-E technology and T5 front wheel- drive models come with Volvo’s new 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with direct-injection that delivers 240 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. A unique overboost function increases maximum available torque to 280 pound-feet for the first 10 seconds of open throttle between gears two through eight.
When teamed with the new standard eight speed Geartronic automatic transmission, the smaller, lighter Drive-E engine delivers low emissions and high fuel economy. Also new is the start/stop feature that automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop. The engine restarts when the driver releases the brake pedal.
ECO+
New ECO+ introduced with Drive-E is a fuel-saving technology that optimizes shift points, engine control and throttle response. When activated by the driver, ECO+ can improve fuel economy by five percent, depending on driving style, temperature and climate. ECO+ functions include:
Start/Stop – The start/stop functionality is modified to allow the engine to shut down at 7 kph/4 mph as the car coasts to a stop.
ECO-coast — Helps conserve kinetic energy by enabling the vehicle to coast. The engine “brake” is disengaged and engine speed drops to idle speed when pressure on the accelerator is released.
ECO-climate — The air conditioning compressor is disconnected to reduce auxiliary loads. Pressing the AC button restarts cooling or the driver can deactivate ECO+.
Under the Hood
Volvo’s electronically controlled All- Wheel Drive with Instant Traction is standard on the midrange V60 T5 AWD. These models come with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 250 hp and 266 pound-feet of torque. This engine is mated to an efficient six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission.
The MSRP
The 2015 Volvo V60 ranges from $35,750 for T5 Drive-E Premier to $48,550 for the T6 AWD R-Design Platinum model.
[author image=”http://www.samaonline.org/Ron.jpg” ]Ron Beasley is the automotive editor for Miami’s Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext. 261, or by addressing email correspondence to LetsTalkCars@aol.com.[/author]
