A spotlight on the Volvo V60

Volvo’s second generation V60 is a premium mid-size estate, enhanced with advanced technology and classic Scandi looks. Initially released with petrol and diesel engines, two plug-in hybrids will shortly join the range, taking Volvo further towards its electrification goals

Making its world debut in February 2018 in Stockholm, Sweden, the V60 is powered by the Volvo-designed and built all-aluminium Drive-E engines, which enable powerful performance with efficiency.
    
The V60 has initially been released with petrol and diesel engines – 150hp D3 and 190hp D4 diesels, and a 250hp T5 petrol.
    
Both diesels are available with manual or automatic gearboxes, while the T5 petrol comes exclusively as an automatic.
    
CO2 emissions start from 117g per km for the D3 and D4 manual and have a quoted mpg figure of 64.2.

In line with Volvo’s bold commitment to phasing out diesel ICE-powered vehicles in favour of full or partially electrified models, the V60 will have two plug-in hybrid powertrain options released in the coming months.
    
The petrol and diesel V60s are front-wheel drive, whereas the hybrids will be all-wheel drive.
    
The new V60 is set to be popular with companies, with forecast fleet sales at 65 per cent.

Scandi looks

The Scandinavians are famous for their clean, minimalistic, functional and beautiful designs, and Swedish manufacturer Volvo is no different. The new V60 is all those things.

Clean lines and eye-catching details, such as distinctive headlights with T-shaped daytime running lights and indicators, make the V60 the epitome of simplistic, elegant design.

Despite being Volvo’s smaller estate, it has the largest boot of any premium mid-size estate, along with one of the biggest cabins in the class.
    
Key features include the Sensus nine-inch touch screen, voice-activated control system, power-operated tailgate, LED headlights, satellite navigation and the Volvo On Call connected services platform.

Volvo’s SPA platform

The V60 uses the Volvo-designed-and-built SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform.

This adaptable platform is designed to incorporate electrification, connectivity and safety technologies as they become available.

Drive mode settings

The V60’s Drive Mode settings allows the driver to tailor the responses of the engine, automatic gearbox, suspension, steering, brakes and climate control to their preferences.

Comfort is the default setting and all parameters are set for maximum comfort.
    
The eco setting meanwhile calibrates the engine, automatic gearbox and accelerator to achieve the lowest possible fuel consumption and emissions.
    
In this mode, the automatic gearbox upshifts at lower revs and a ‘coasting’ function is activated above 40mph. This means there is no engine braking when you lift off the accelerator; instead the engine’s revs drop to idle speed, boosting efficiency.

In Dynamic mode, power assistance in the steering is reduced to make the steering heavier and the brake pedal responsiveness is increased.

Semi-autonomous drive

Taking a stepping stone towards fully autonomous driving, which is a key innovation area for Volvo, the V60 is available with Volvo’s Pilot Assist semi-autonomous drive technology. This combines a forward-facing camera and radar to detect the vehicle’s lane and any vehicles in front. It then assists with the steering (up to 80mph) to keep the car within its lane, and works with the adaptive cruise control to keep at the desired cruising speed or at a safe distance from any vehicle in front. Pilot Assist will automatically accelerate and brake with the flow of traffic, right down to a standstill, and requires the driver to have their hands on the wheel.

Safety

Volvo has a vision that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020.
    
Striding towards this goal, the V60 has a raft of cutting edge safety technology.

City Safety systems are in place to avoid collisions include automatic emergency braking, which can detect vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and large animals in front of the car. If a collision is likely and you do not react, it will automatically apply maximum braking force. All versions of the V60 also come with Run-off Road Mitigation and Run-off Road Protection, which help prevent the car inadvertently running off the road and protect the car’s occupants.
    
Another advanced safety aid is Steering Support, which can provide additional steering input to help you steer around an object in an emergency. This also forms part of Oncoming Lane Mitigation, which operates between 37 and 87mph and helps steer the car safely back onto its side of the road should it inadvertently move from its lane into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
    
The optional Blind Spot Information System with Steering Support also operates between 37 and 87mph, and automatically  applies the steering to bring the car  back into its own lane and away from any vehicles in your blind spot.

Pricing

First customer deliveries of the new Volvo V60 are due late in Q3 2018 Prices start from £31,810 OTR with BIK from £147 a month. Residual values are best-in-class according to Cap HPI. D3 Momentum will be worth

43.7 per cent of its new cost after three years and 30,000 miles (38.0 per cent after three years and 60,000 miles).