Nip/Tuck it ain't but Volvo has just made its bid to sex up the S60 and its siblings, with a spot of cosmetic realignment. There are new bumpers, softer at the front, but harder and more perky at the rear. There's a new grille and a new choice of alloy wheels and body mouldings to differentiate between trim levels.
Inside, the changes are more marked, with improved materials including aluminium or real walnut trim, to replace the plastic previously offered. There are new seats, new upholstery, upgraded stereos and a new centre armrest/ storage box of which Volvo seems rather worryingly proud.
The T5 engine gets 154kW and a boost of torque too. The optional Speedball manual transmission has improved feel as well. But the most significant mechanical change is the option of the Four-C Active Chassis as previously introduced on the S60R, to not especially impressive effect. This second generation version has just two modes, Comfort and Sport, and Volvo reckons its v2.0 software is better than before. It isn't.
Comfort mode is generally fine, but it all begins to feel a bit soft when you start to exploit the T5 engine. Switching to Sport means the ride becomes overly harsh and the car becomes skittish on bumpy roads. It feels as if wheel travel is cut in half and the dampers are stamping hard on any movement. On a smooth surface the system may well work as claimed, but on real roads it's a shambles. Four-C comes as part of a $5,000 sports handling pack, so save your money.
Nik Berg
- Model: Volvo S60 T5 SE
- Rating: 12 out of 20
- We say: It's refined, well-built and well-equipped, but the latest four-C Active Chassis is best avoided
- Price: $59,950
- Performance: 0-100 in 7.3 seconds, maximum speed 250kmh
- Tech: 2.5 turbo five-cylinder, 4WD, , 320Nm, 261g/kmCO2
.jpg?p=081201_03:48)
Open Car Bar