2015.5 Volvo S60 T6 Drive-E
We are finally seeing the fruit of all the work Volvo has been doing behind the scenes, with an all-new, modular platform dubbed SPA, debuting under the 2016 XC90 SUV and a new engine family, called Drive-E, coming in some other models, including this svelte S60 sedan.
On the outside, this midsizer’s looks have held up well, and it still makes a compelling aesthetic alternative to established Teutonic offerings. Inside I think Volvo has their number, with beautiful textures, the most supportive front seats going, lovely rows of parallel double stitching and configurable instrument graphics. The new Sensus Connect offers many neat features for the infotainment system, but the carry-over interface is much harder to manipulate than those in the German cars. Rear seat accommodations remain tight for the class, hence Volvo’s decision to offer Americans the first Chinese built car, a long-wheelbase S60, that will reach our shores later this year.
The real news though is transversely mounted under the Volvo’s low hood. Despite T6 nomenclature, we now have a 2-liter, turbo- and supercharged four powering the front wheels (all wheel drive models stick to the older 5- and 6-cylinder engine families). Outputs of 302hp and 295lb-ft of torque line up well with the competition, and now that it is channeled through eight speeds, there is the kind of low-end response and linear delivery lacking in the other 60-series models I have tested, here and here. 0-60mph takes the mid-5s, same as the older T6, while EPA ratings have improved dramatically to 28mpg combined, and the real-world numbers I saw are much better than those of the six cylinder, AWD wagon. While there isn’t the growly soundtrack of an Infiniti Q50’s V6 nor the silky delivery of BMW’s inline engines, the Drive-E serves up a funky combo of supercharger wine and turbo blow-off noise under the whip. At a cruise it goes all quite, bolstering the overall refinement of the Volvo.
This helps make the S60 feel like a more luxurious vehicle, and since this Volvo’s ride quality isn’t undone by the super-stiff chassis settings or optional ultra-low profile tires that come with the R-Design trim, it works better over rough roads. Handling seems slightly less leaden too, perhaps because the Drive-E engine puts less mass over the front tires, and steering accuracy and response are fine. Sadly, the brakes still feel mushy and non-linear under foot, though no doubt ultimate stopping power is fine, and is more dependent on tire choice than anything else.
The other, most fascinating aspect of this latest Volvo is its safety systems, including one of the best lane-keeping assistant systems I’ve yet tried. No ornery beeps accompanied exploratory ventures over white or yellow lines, only a subtle vibration through the steering wheel’s rim and then a gentle course adjustment back to what the computers assume to be the intended trajectory. Interestingly, this only worked properly on dry roads; a bout of rainy snow made it feel as if I was driving the S60 on ice, putting a filter between my hands and the front tires’ contact patches. Turning the system off restored proper feel, showing the limitations of such technology as it is currently configured. The Volvo’s active cruise control worked great in heavy traffic, without the need to constantly override the electronics as in systems from only a year or two ago.
I think the S60 makes a great alternative to better selling competitors, as long as the price (or lease payment) is appropriate. And while most Rocky Mountain residents wont get to experience the Drive-E powertrain in a sedan for awhile yet, this initial taste suggest that they wont object to Volvo’s decision to go exclusively four-cylinder in the future.
EPA ratings: 24/25mpg; 28mpg combined
Price as tested: $47,575
Here is what Volvo has to say.
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