Volvo used to have a reputation for building solid, practical estate cars.
To be fair it still does – the V70 and V50 might not have the greatest load volumes in their respective sectors, but their squared off tailgates ensure they’re the right shape for transporting large, boxed items.
To most people, the new V60 – a ‘sports wagon’ version of the new S60 saloon – will be an estate, but according to Volvo’s definition of an estate car was based on its ability to carry a washing machine with the rear seats in place.
To be fair it still does – the V70 and V50 might not have the greatest load volumes in their respective sectors, but their squared off tailgates ensure they’re the right shape for transporting large, boxed items.
To most people, the new V60 – a ‘sports wagon’ version of the new S60 saloon – will be an estate, but according to Volvo’s definition of an estate car was based on its ability to carry a washing machine with the rear seats in place.
So it’s not as capacious as you might expect traditional Volvo estates to be.
In a departure from Volvo estates of the past it’s also sleek.
It comes with a choice of frugal petrol and diesel engines, with a not-so-frugal high-performance 304bhp 3.0-litre T6.
The best seller will be the new 163bhp 2.0-litre D3. It’s a five-cylinder engine that from a fuel economy and CO2-emissions perspective performs just as well as rival four-cylinder diesels.
There will also be some new four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines using Ford-developed EcoBoost technology with the 1.6-litre engines offering a choice of 150bhp or 180bhp outputs in T3 and T4 guises, and a 2.0-litre 240bhp T5.
In 2011 the range will be joined by a 115bhp 1.6 DRIVe diesel.
But the V60 also has a dose of typical Volvo practicality.
The long-serving cargo area divider that keeps the weekly shopping, or other items, secure is here, and the rear seats fold in an easy action to create a completely flat load area.
Standard for all UK V60s is a fold-flat passenger seat, which extends the space considerably along one side of the car.
Volvo offers ES, SE and SE Lux equipment grades, but all versions will come with the company’s City Safety obstacle detection and braking system, alloy wheels, electronic climate control and cruise control.
Despite being described as dynamic by Volvo, the V60 doesn’t feel any sharper than its best estate rivals, but is still a decent drive.
The quality of the interior is impressive, with expensive-feeling materials and a simple and clear design.
Prices currently start at about £25,000 for ES grade D3 and T3 versions, although the new entry-level DRIVe should make the range more accessible to buy and to run.
While, as perhaps the spiritual successor of the 240 GLT estate, the V60 doesn’t have the brutally square appearance of its predecessors, it still stands out as a Volvo and is helping to bring its traditional values to a new younger audience.
By Simon Harris
In a departure from Volvo estates of the past it’s also sleek.
It comes with a choice of frugal petrol and diesel engines, with a not-so-frugal high-performance 304bhp 3.0-litre T6.
The best seller will be the new 163bhp 2.0-litre D3. It’s a five-cylinder engine that from a fuel economy and CO2-emissions perspective performs just as well as rival four-cylinder diesels.
There will also be some new four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines using Ford-developed EcoBoost technology with the 1.6-litre engines offering a choice of 150bhp or 180bhp outputs in T3 and T4 guises, and a 2.0-litre 240bhp T5.
In 2011 the range will be joined by a 115bhp 1.6 DRIVe diesel.
But the V60 also has a dose of typical Volvo practicality.
The long-serving cargo area divider that keeps the weekly shopping, or other items, secure is here, and the rear seats fold in an easy action to create a completely flat load area.
Standard for all UK V60s is a fold-flat passenger seat, which extends the space considerably along one side of the car.
Volvo offers ES, SE and SE Lux equipment grades, but all versions will come with the company’s City Safety obstacle detection and braking system, alloy wheels, electronic climate control and cruise control.
Despite being described as dynamic by Volvo, the V60 doesn’t feel any sharper than its best estate rivals, but is still a decent drive.
The quality of the interior is impressive, with expensive-feeling materials and a simple and clear design.
Prices currently start at about £25,000 for ES grade D3 and T3 versions, although the new entry-level DRIVe should make the range more accessible to buy and to run.
While, as perhaps the spiritual successor of the 240 GLT estate, the V60 doesn’t have the brutally square appearance of its predecessors, it still stands out as a Volvo and is helping to bring its traditional values to a new younger audience.
By Simon Harris
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