Autograph Volvo S60: overtaking in Swedish

The first impression: strikingly unremarkable. And yet, the car stands out in the middle class, which is dominated by Audi, BMW and Mercedes in this country out.

That says the manufacturer: The dominance of the German manufacturer - exactly that is for Volvo spokesman Michael Schweitzer a problem of the Volvo S60. While the SUV model XC60 and the estate V60, which are built on the same platform, are selling well, those responsible for the Limousine have little chance of winning out; importers in Germany are traditionally struggling in this segment. "The S60 is therefore more likely to be a niche model," admits Schweitzer.

With the modest quantities Volvo justifies a few unusual decisions. For example, that for the sedan no diesel engine is offered, although the types XC60 and V60 are very well available with diesel. "That would have been too much effort for so few cars," says Schweitzer with a view to the approval. Also, that the S60 only now comes to the dealers, although the car has been produced in the US plant Charleston for about a year, Schweitzer explains with reference to the expected faltering paragraph: "Once the big markets were served - all ahead the US and China. "

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We noticed that: the key looks unfamiliar - the buttons are attached to the side, not on top. In the cockpit, the amazement continues: While the controls in the new BMW 3 Series are traditionally arranged, the Audi A4 celebrates a sober techno-chic and the Mercedes C-Class with colorful lighting and playful graphics courts digital natives, the Volvo takes back elegantly It looks cool and cozy at the same time as the lobby of a design hotel in Gothenburg. The portrait format touch screen for Navi & Co. and the idiosyncratic Knubbel, with which you turn on the engine by a rotary motion, do the rest for the distinctiveness.

Unusual is also the driving behavior. The two-liter four-cylinder petrol engine in the model variant T4, of which Volvo expects the most sales, buzzing at startup like a diesel. Maybe because the engine with a power of 190 hp is a comparatively strong engine for an entry-level model. A surprising feature for a brand, which pleads for a voluntary self-limitation of the maximum speed to 180 km / h. At Mercedes, the range starts in this segment with 129 hp, Audi with 136 hp and BMW with 150 hp.

But the paper form is deceptive. Although the S60 T4 may be strong and the chassis is - at least in the R Design version, which made Volvo the entry-level model - unusually tight and also offers a centimeter less ground clearance. But the car is not really sporty. Neither the bad smooth steering, nor the face of a maximum of 300 Nm torque sometimes scuffing front-wheel drive, nor the performance.

While the sprint from 0 to 100 in 7.1 seconds succeed, 220 km / h top speed in the duel of company cars on the highway nothing special. Otherwise, the sedan with the silky eight-speed automatic, an army of assistance systems and seats with comfort for eternity has everything it takes to make frequent travelers happy. However, this only applies to the driver and passenger: In the second row, it is unusually close to a car of 4.76 meters in length and 2.87 meters wheelbase.

Take a look inside the Volvo S 60 - with our 360 degree photo:

You have to know: In addition to the at least ¬ 43,200 expensive S60 T4 Volvo offers two more versions of the four-cylinder petrol engine. As T5 makes the engine 250 hp and when the T6 comes in November, the power increases to 310 hp. On top of that, there is then a four-wheel drive. Instead of a diesel Volvo holds for fuel saver hybrid drives ready. First, the model T8 with plug-in hybrid drive and 303 hp from the gasoline engine and 65 kW (88 hp) from the electric motor and a battery with 11.6 kWh storage capacity. Thus, the car drives purely electrically up to 125 km / h and offers an electric range of 58 kilometers. Later, the smaller four-cylinder to be electrified and expanded with a 48-volt generator to mild hybrid drives.

We will not forget that: the little Sweden flag, which is attached like a label in the T-shirt on the side seam of the seat. Not that one could confuse the S60 with an Audi, BMW or Mercedes. But with a limousine, which is built by a Chinese company for the markets in Europe in a factory in the US, such an indication of origin can not hurt.

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