The new and revamped Volvo S60 now available in Malaysia. — Picture courtesy of VolvoKUALA
LUMPUR, March 3 — The Volvo S60, like all cars going through mid-life crisis, (pun intended) now has a revamped front mask featuring a more dynamic-looking façade. In order to make it more appealing to would-be buyers, Volvo has dialled in improved overall levels of safety, and the new model is now officially available in Malaysia.
The engines and drive trains from the outgoing model are carried over, which implies that the same reliability and the same power output as its predecessors, and the same two 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre variants, the T4 and T5 respectively.
This familiar pair of four-cylinder gasoline turbo direct injection (GTDi) engines, a legacy of the kinship between Volvo and Ford before the new Chinese owners took over the reins of Volvo continue their service in unchanged states, with the T4’s 1.6-litre power plant generating 180hp and 240Nm while the T5’s 2.0-litre mill offers 240hp and 320Nm torque on tap.
Both engines are offered with Volvo’s 6-speed PowerShift dual clutch transmission.
The S60 comes with a dynamic chassis. During the development process, the chassis team carved out a holistic solution featuring changes and refinements for virtually every single detail that influences a car's driving properties.
These include improved steering, stiffer springs and bushes as well as more damping than in any previous Volvo. The additional damping though, may be a double–edged sword that can both improve the car’s appeal to buyers or cut them off altogether, depending on how they treasure driving dynamics over comfort and vice versa.
In truth, I have not driven the car but from lessons learnt from other car makers who have decided to venture into the path of ‘performance’ driving characteristics, one is advised to go for that most important test drive before making a decision.
Generally, the younger set prefer better handling whilst the more mature ones would rather have ride comfort, so the key is what the target demographics are for the S60
Externally, the new front design gives rise to a more expressive face and emboldens the S60 with a greater road presence. The front grille has been widened and in it, the signature Volvo iron-mark badge is made bigger for an even more confident appearance. A choice of five exterior colours is offered and buyers have the option of further sprucing up the S60’s aesthetics by ordering the optional R-Design Styling Package.
Inside, in an obvious effort to please, the S60’s familiar cabin is enhanced by the new TFT Digital Instrument Cluster with 8-inch Adaptive Digital Display with three selectable themes — Elegance, Eco, and Performance. Alongside it, the Volvo Sensus infotainment system benefits from an upgraded Bluetooth connectivity package that now enables music streaming through any Bluetooth-enabled portable devices.
As usual, Volvo pulls no punches in the area of safety; the new S60 is not only comprehensively equipped but also incorporates a few major improvements from the pre-facelift model. Some features are exclusive on the costlier T5 model, but both variants do get Cornering Lights, an enhanced Blind Spot Information System which alerts the driver of fast-approaching vehicles from as far as 70 metres away, and Cross Traffic Alert to monitor approaching traffic when reversing out of parking spaces.
Autonomous emergency braking is also standard fit in the S60. The upgraded City Safety system automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops — or if the car is approaching a stationary vehicle too fast.
In the T5 model, auto braking capability is complemented with Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake, Adaptive Cruise Control with queue assist, together with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection technology.
Completing the comprehensive safety package, albeit for the T5 only, are Driver Alert Control to detect and alert fatigued drivers, Active High Beam Control, and Road Sign Information, which reproduces road signs sighted along the road on the instrument panel in case the driver misses out on a crucial warning sign. This last feature also ties in with Speed Alert that provides a visual warning on the speedometer if the speed limit is exceeded.
Both variants of the S60 come with Volvo’s extended coverage plan which includes a five-year warranty, five years of free service including parts per scheduled maintenance, and five years of free roadside assist (Volvo-on-Call).
Pricing starts at RM221,888 (on-the-road without insurance) for the T4 followed by the T5 at RM268,888.
- Source: themalaymailonline.com
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