Volvo S60 T3: Classy, keen and comfortable saloon

By Ghaith Madadha - Jul 16,2018 - Last updated at Jul 16,2018

Photo courtesy of Volvo

First launched in 2010, face-lifted in 2014 and now due to be replaced with a new model expected in Jordan for 2019, Volvo’s somewhat long-serving second generation S60 compact executive saloon, however, remains a classy, comfortable and smooth ride.

Innovative when it first appeared, the S60 is packed with a host of standard and optional driver assistance and safety systems, and as driven in second to entry-level S60 T3 guise, it features a confident and capable down-sized 1.5-litre engine that is more efficient and powerful than the 1.6 it replaced.

Understated and elegant

Developed during Volvo’s last push to breakthrough into the premium end of the automotive market, the S60 has an understated sense of elegance, and is a car appreciated best by those in the know. Best looking from front three quarter views, with a noticeably snouty and assertive grille, the face-lifted S60, however, adds more heavily browed, slimmer and more dramatic single-piece headlights, in place of the 2010 models more rounded two-piece headlights. The revised model also features slimmer and broader lower intakes and other restyled front and rear bumper elements.

Less complex yet more dramatic in current iteration, the Volvo S60’s protruding grille is flanked by pinched V-shaped surfacing, while its bulging bonnet ridge flows from grille to A-pillar base. Meanwhile, subtly rising side crease and waistline converge with a rakish roofline at short and pert rear deck. From rear view the S60 features stylish boomerang-like rear lights, somewhat reminiscent of the Maserati 3200GT. For the facelift version, the S60 received slim horizontal bumper-integrated dual exhaust ports. However, more rear wheel-arch definition would have lent the S60 a more grounded and assertive stance.

Mid-range muscle

Powered by turbocharged direct injection 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine driving the front wheels since its last model refresh, the current S60 T3 develops 150BHP at 5,000rpm and 184lb/ft torque through a wide 1,700-4,000rpm plateau. Though designed with a bigger bore to stroke design like most high revving engines, the over-square design T3 is, however, low revving. Efficient and smooth even without the use of a balancer shaft, the T3 is also usefully flexible in mid-range. Frugal with 5.8l/100km combined cycle fuel consumption, its CO2 emissions are similarly low at 134g/km.

Downsized, yet more capable, the current S60 T3 proved quicker and more responsive than expected, and weighing in at 1.6-tonnes, it nonetheless performs confidently, and is at its best when riding on its broad, muscular and versatile mid-range wave of torque, but becomes somewhat less eager in delivery the farther it strays beyond 5,000rpm. Despite a brief moment of turbo lag at idling, the T3 livens up as its turbo spools and delivery wells up. And with a hint of torque-steer as tyres put power to tarmac, the S60 T3 accelerates through 0-100km/h in 5.8-seconds, on the way to a 210km/h maximum.

Eager, smooth

and supple

At its best being hustled along in rich and responsive mid-range, the S60 T3 driving character is that of a refined and comfortable compact executive with somewhat hot hatch-like front-drive handling.

Tidy into corners, the S60 grips in well — with its smooth and light steering providing a good compromise between refinement and road feel. Eager turning in, the S60 suspension setup is also seemingly eager to shift weight to the rear and outside to tighten a cornering line, which the stability controls then rein in with similar enthusiasm by cutting power, but with less intervention and more fluency when in a less cautious driving setting.

Riding on 215/55R16 tyres, the S60 walks a fine line between braking and out right grip on the one hand, and steering feel and ride compliance on the other. In most situations it works well, with most bumps, lumps and cracks dispatched with supple absorption.

On poorly maintained low traction tarmac, more mechanical grip would be welcome, in lieu of electronic assistance, but the upside is that the S60 drives mostly with sporty agility and a more comfortable ride than many competitors. Meanwhile, body roll is kept well in control while vertical reflexes are settled on rebound from dips and crests.

Confident quality

Confident and stable and reassuring at speed, the S60 provided a good quality of ride, cabin refinement and isolation from road imperfections and noise.

Inside, its driving position is well-adjustable with deep lowering and supportive seats and versatile steering adjustment. Spacious in front with generous headroom even when fitted with a sunroof, the S60’s rear space and 380-litre boot volume are decent for its segment. Ergonomics were also good, with user-friendly controls, symmetric layouts and a new, more modern instrument cluster design since first driven at its initial launch.

Well-finished with quality leathers, soft textures, metallic trim and wood, the Volvo S60 has a well-built and conservatively elegant feel inside. Functional yet pleasant, it features usefully generous storage spaces and a signature curved “floating” front console.

Competitively priced, the S60 T3 comes with an extensive equipment list as available in Jordan, including USB connectivity, Isofix child seat latches and Volvo’s City Safety driver assistance system, which can avoid or mitigate collisions at up to 50km/h, in addition to numerous comfort, convenience, infotainment and safety features.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 1.5-litre, turbocharged, transverse 4-cylinders

Bore x stroke: 82 x 70.9mm

Compression ratio: 10.5:1

Valve-train: 16-valve, DOHC, direct injection, variable valve timing

Gearbox: 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive

Ratios: 1st 4.044:1; 2nd 2.371:1; 3rd 1.556:1; 4th 1.159:1; 5th 0.852:1; 6th 0.672:1

Reverse/final drive: 3.193:1/3.365

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 150 (152) [112] @5,000rpm

Specific power: 100.1BHP/litre

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 184 (250) @1,700-4,000rpm

Specific torque: 166.9Nm/litre