New Station Wagon Feelings In The Volvo V60

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

Volvo has completed the 60 series. With the station wagon, the Swedish manufacturer is trying to move away from the teacher car image to a completely new clientele.

By Thomas Flehmer

Volvo and the teachers - a combination that lasted for decades. The safe vehicles with the designations 240, 760, 850 or 940 were perfect for educators who accompanied their protégés on their way to maturity. With their edges and corners, the cars from Sweden were sometimes groundbreaking for the not always easy path of the eleven. But with the V60 at the latest, this era is a thing of the past.

Without corners and edges

There is nothing left of the edges of the third derivative of the 60 series after the XC60 and the S60. The station wagon, of which Volvo counts the Audi A4 or the 3-series BMW Touring, is particularly noticeable because of the trendy, steeply sloping rear line, which is intended to make the actual loadmaster more like the coupé.

The tailgate is somewhat reminiscent of the C30, the Snow White coffin of modern times. The elongated tail lights earn respect. As with the front headlights, LED lights were also used at the rear.

Tight in the back seats

The interior is also quite elegant. The materials look valuable, the floating center console is already familiar from other models. The same goes for the contourless front seats, which can withstand more lateral support in order to do justice to the sporty character of the engines.

The people in the rear experience the disadvantages of the coupé-like roof line shape, especially when the body height exceeds 1.85 meters. Then the heads come very close to the headliner. It's no consolation, but with the competition, rear occupants have similar experiences. And the legroom could also be a little more pronounced. You don't bump anywhere in a normal sitting position, but there is a cramped atmosphere.

Seven engines to start

At 430 liters, the cargo space is somewhat smaller than the models from Munich and Ingolstadt, but there is also space for the luggage of a small family. Since the front passenger seat can be folded down completely for bulky goods, the 4.63 meter long station wagon is also well suited for transporting loads. However, the matter should be approached with caution so as not to damage the high-quality interior character.

Seven engines will be available for launch on November 13th, five petrol and two diesel, the economical DRIVe will be available next spring. The new D3 five-cylinder diesel with 120 kW / 163 PS is said to be the most popular among potential customers. The entry-level diesel engine is very good-natured. The Volvo made it from standstill to 100 km / h in 9.4 seconds, at 220 km / h the end of the flagpole is reached. The six gears can be easily engaged, early shifting brings the V60 closer to the specified value of 5.5 liters. The chassis keeps the 1.6 ton truck on track even when cornering in a very sporty manner. With the adaptive suspension setup, however, there are hardly any noticeable differences between the three modes.

Pedestrian detection with automatic emergency braking

The traditionally well-equipped security systems have not fallen victim to the modernization. In addition to the City Safety System, which debuted in the XC60 and prevents or at least reduces accidents up to a speed of 30 km / h, the sports suit has pedestrian detection with automatic emergency braking. A camera and a radar system warn the driver of pedestrians on the lane up to a speed of 35 km / h and, if necessary, initiate emergency braking. Other safety systems are partly also on board as standard, which has always distinguished Volvo and, above all, convinced the teachers.

With the V60, the Swedish manufacturer has been able to bridge the gap between the past and the present. The 110 kW / 150 PS entry-level petrol engine starts at 28,000 euros. The Volvo D3 with 163 hp introduces diesel prices at 32,650 euros. In order to have many assistants on board, you have to choose the higher-quality equipment variants Momentum or Summum.

Love for Volvo as a requirement

And with a few amenities, the 57,000 euros for a D5 with 151 kW / 205 PS and all-wheel drive can be reached quickly. And with this equipment at the latest, Volvo opens up to a different, better-earning clientele, who then get a lot of driving pleasure in addition to safety. But at this point, many a teacher will say goodbye to the brand that has been loved for decades or switch to the V50. Or decades of love last a lifetime.