2019 Volvo S60

Volvo S60 T8 Twin Engine 2019 UK review

Should I buy one?

That depends on what you want. A BMW M or Mercedes-AMG killer this isn’t: despite Volvo’s efforts it’s still too soft and hamstrung by the considerable weight of all the hybrid gubbins.

That’s where the clever Öhlins dampers of the soon-to-come Polestar Engineered model will come in. For now, the S60 is refined, quick, composed and comfortable but doesn’t set out to be a rewarding driver’s car in the traditional sense.

The powertrain, too, is versatile and effective rather than thrill-a-minute. But there’s no questioning its capability - someone with the ability to keep the car’s charge topped up at home or at work can benefit from vastly better fuel consumption and smoothness than pure-petrol equivalents but still rely on serious pace when called upon.

And, being a Volvo, you get an impeccably-finished and elegantly laid-out cabin and space for four large adults to sit without much complaint. Plus, it’s arguably a looker - even more so than its larger siblings, we reckon. A closer test of plug-in equivalents will give us a better idea of where the S60 sits, but first impressions are certainly positive.

Where Oxfordshire On sale Now; Price £49,805; Engine 4 cyls, 1969cc, turbocharged and supercharged petrol plus electric motor; Power 312bhp at 5700rpm (petrol), 86bhp (electric); Torque 295lb ft at 1800-4800rpm; Gearbox 8-spd automatic; Kerbweight 1960kg; Top speed 155mph; 0-62mph 4.6sec; Fuel economy 122.8-176.5mpg; CO2 rating 39g/km; Rivals BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class


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Volvo S60, V60 and XC60 Polestar Engineered released in UK

Volvo applies performance and handling upgrades to its 60 model line; available to order now from £56,105

Volvo has extended its UK line-up with the first Polestar Engineered variants going on sale. The S60 saloon, V60 estate and XC60 SUV are the first recipients of the performance division's upgrades.

Available to order now, with customer deliveries starting before the end of 2019, the S60 (£56,105) V60 (£57,205) and XC60 (£64,545) Polestar Engineered models are designed as ‘halo’ variants of their respective ranges, thanks to a variety of new hardware and revisions aimed at improving the driving experience.

All three are based on the top-spec T8 plug-in hybrid models. The 2.0-litre petrol engine receives a 15bhp upgrade, and this combined with the electric motor means an overall system output of 399bhp.


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Volvo explains why the S60 sedan is no longer coming to South Africa

The head of Volvo Car South Africa has explained why the S60 sedan is no longer coming to local shores.

Greg Maruszewski, managing director of Volvo Car South Africa, confirmed to CARmag.co.za neither the S60 sedan nor the V60 estate were on the cards for a local introduction.

“There are currently no plans to bring the S60/V60 range into South Africa. While this topic was discussed internally last year [in 2019], the consistent decline in the 'D' premium sedan segment over the past few years, by 20 to 25 percent per annum, meant the potential volume is constantly decreasing,” he said.

“The recent currency weakness does not help the cause. We have therefore taken the decision not to bring it in and for the time being focus on our range of XC cars, where the segments are either growing or showing smaller declines,” Maruszewski told us.

 
2022 Volvo S60 Black Edition built for US market in limited numbers

In typical Swedish and down-to-business fashion the Volvo S60 Black Edition is exactly that; a special edition model festooned with black trim and details to differentiate it from the standard model. “Fewer than 450” are planned and will enter the US market in their spring this year.

The traditionally minimal brand and their limited edition model will feature plenty of black trim on the exterior which is most obvious in the front end with the darker grille and Volvo badging in the middle. All window trim and side mirrors now boast a sleek shiny black coat while an exclusive set of 19-inch rims finished in gloss black sit on all four corners of the 4761 mm long sedan.

The rear Volvo lettering on the boot lid is now as I am sure you can expect, also in black and the exhaust tips on the bottom of the bumpers have been darkened too.


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Volvo pulls S60 from sale as it re-evaluates line-up

Swedish firm said decision is "temporary" but wouldn't confirm when executive saloon will return

Volvo has pulled the Volvo S60 from its line-up, citing a temporary decision as it re-evaluates its range.

One of only two saloons the Swedish brand offered, the BMW 3 Series rival started at £44,005 and was available with either a 246bhp mild-hybrid petrol engine or a 448bhp petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain (in S60 Recharge form).

With Volvo aiming to transition to an all-electric brand by 2030, this decision calls into question the future of the executive saloon, especially as it doesn't have a fully electric variant.

However, the Volvo V60 estate, which shares the same platform and powertrain options, remains on sale, as do the larger Volvo S90 saloon and Volvo V90 estate.

 
Volvo S60 back on sale in UK with AWD only

Swedish firm's executive saloon gets a slight price increase and will remain on sale "for the medium-term future"

Volvo has reintroduced the Volvo S60 saloon to its line-up, now available in four-wheel-drive-form only, after it was temporarily removed from sale last year.

The BMW 3 Series-rivalling executive saloon was originally pulled in October so the Swedish firm could fulfil its existing orders. The car maker blamed the combined effects of component shortages and supply issues as a result of Covid-19 for not being able to meet demand.

Now the hybrid-only saloon returns without a front-wheel-drive option, and with a new starting price: the entry-level mild-hybrid B5 has increased from £44,580 to £46,135. The top-specification plug-in hybrid T8 Recharge has also gone up by £105.

Specification for both models remains unchanged, with the B5 and T8 Recharge using tuned versions of Volvo’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing a combined 246bhp and 448bhp respectively.

Volvo said that it would keep the S60 on sale for “the medium-term future”. This would only continue for as long as it had sufficient allocation space and had secured a supply of components to complete orders of new cars to customers.

 
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