Saloon power

Volvos new S60 goes head-on against the likes of the BMW 3-series,Merc C-class and Audi A4

Volvos new S60 goes head-on against the likes of the BMW 3-series,Merc C-class and Audi A4

Volvos new rakish and sporty saloon,the S60,is a car that the Swedish company hopes will take it mainstream. To entice buyers,it comes with a ferociously powerful petrol motor as well as a punchy and practical diesel version. Of the two,its the petrol T6 with its 304bhp turbocharged transversely mounted straight six engine that merits the most attention. It delivers explosive performance from anywhere in the power band and the four-wheel-drive system is quick to channel power optimally to all four wheels. Acceleration is strong enough to make passengers initially gasp as the S60 explodes off the blocks and then straightens out. The S60 is easily faster than the BMW 330i and the Audi A4 3.2 gets left behind as well. The 0-100kph comes up in under 6.5 seconds and in 24 seconds the car does 200 kph.

The 2,400cc D5 diesel motor is very powerful too,but less impressive in other areas. The five cylinder engine throbs a bit at start-up and certainly isnt a silent as expected from a car of this class either. It does spin and smoothen up a fair bit later,but you are always aware of the odd number of cylinders firing under the hood. Also,noise levels here are considerably higher than say on a BMWs 320d which,in comparison,feels more silent and silky smooth.

However,Volvo has also done a stellar job of harnessing and channeling the power of the S60 petrol effectively. The stiffened chassis of the car is more than up to the task,the torque vectoring on the four-wheel-drive system works like a charm and the car feels well balanced when you corner it hard. In sport mode,the car points into corners very nicely and there is even a bit of torque vectoring as you apply the throttle and exit the corner. There is no front engine,front-wheel-drive nose heaviness or understeer. This is most evident when powering out of a corner. The S60s electro-hydraulic steering however lacks the pin-sharp accuracy of the 3-series. The T6 also comes with an adjustable suspension and in comfort mode it feels ideal at city speeds. But the brakes lack bite especially at higher speeds.

Without the adjustable damping and the four-wheel-drive system,the D5 diesel feels different. The suspension is pliant and it cushions passengers,but the overall ride-quality is nowhere as good. The steering is lethargic,it feels more nose-heavy and handling is a far cry from the smooth petrol version.

Like all modern Volvos,the S60 is designed with an aggressive,almost rakish profile. The nose of the car is tipped slightly forward which gives it an added aggressive stance. Volvo,in all probability,makes the safest cars in the world and while this car is its entry saloon in India,it comes with a suite of safety features,good enough to take on cars that cost as much as a crore.

Among the dozen or so systems in the car,the radar-based safety system can stop the car dead in its tracks and a blind spot warning system. Its worth checking this car out for the high-tech safety systems alone. What you dont get however is a spare tyre. And there are no run-flat tyres either; you only get a puncture repair kit,which is quite silly in India.

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Theres an appealing blend of high quality and robustness on the inside. As on all Volvos,the seats are among the best around,and thigh support and bolstering are good. And rear seat comfort is also impressive. You sit slightly lower than,say,in a Mercedes C-class,but legroom,thigh support and lower back support are better.

The base diesel version sells for Rs 27 lakh and the top-of-the-line petrol version is priced at Rs 34 lakh prices ex showroom Delhi undercuts an equivalent 3-series or A4. Good enough,finally,to make Volvo a real contender. n

The writer is deputy editor,Autocar India