Long gone are the days when Volvo was synonymous with large yellow bricks that were driven by old men in hats … or members of the blue-rinse set. These days anything that’s coming out of the Volvo factory is both exciting and loaded with interesting technology and the new Volvo V60 Sports Wagon is no exception.
Volvo sees the V60 Sports Wagon as filling a gap that currently exists between the S60 sedan and the slightly less exciting and larger V70 but at the same time offering plenty of luggage space. Basically what Volvo wanted to do was create a wagon with a coupe like styling that offered an exciting driving experience.
I guess ultimately the numbers of people who buy the V60 Sports Wagon will show whether or not Volvo have achieved their goals but at first glance it seems that Volvo may have produced something close to what they set out to achieve.
Three versions
The new Volvo V60 Sports Wagon comes in three versions. The T5 is powered by a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine that produces 177kW of power at 5,500rpm and 320Nm of torque between 1800 and 5000rpm. This engine is coupled to Volvo’s Powershift automatic transmission.
The T5 is front-wheel drive and it will take you from 0 to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 230km/h. The combined cycle fuel consumption for the T5 is 8.7L/100km.
The D5 is powered by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbo-charged diesel engine that produces 151kW of power at 4,000rpm and 420Nm of torque between 1500 and 3250rpm.
The D5 is all-wheel drive and has a top speed of 225km/h and combined fuel cycle consumption of 7.1L/100km
The T6 is powered by an upgraded six-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine that produces 224kW of power at 5,600rpm and 440Nm of torque between 2100 and 4200rpm. The T6 is all-wheel drive. This engine is coupled to Volvo’s Geartronic automatic transmission.
The top speed for the T6 is 250km/h and it will take you from 0 to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds. The T6 version of the Volvo V60 Sports Wagon has a combined fuel cycle consumption of 10.3L/100km.
Both the T5 and the T6 versions are also available as even sportier R-Design variants that include chassis and styling modifications.
The body
While the new V60 wagon shares the same wheelbase, length and the same front end that’s where the similarities end as the S60 sedan. The sweeping roofline gives you an extra 50 litres of storage room with the rear seats in the upright position.
At the rear you will see some very distinctive design elements that give the V60 Sports Wagon a very distinctive look and a visual appeal that will certainly be noticed.
The T5 and T6 R-Design variants sit 15mm lower at both the front and the rear. Springs in both versions have been stiffened by 15 per cent and stiffer roll bars have replaced those fitted to the standard versions.
The rear twin-tube dampers have been replaced with monotube dampers while bushings have been stiffened by 20 percent.
While all those changes are tucked away out of sight it’s still possible to spot the difference between the standard T5 and T6 models and their R-Design variants. Body changes include a re-designed front apron that includes a glossy black grill, colour matched body components, larger intakes to the rear diffuser and twin tailpipes.
And if you miss all those the the wheels might just give you a clue … the R-Design variants ride on five-spoke, 18-inch IXION diamond cut alloy wheels.
Inside the V60 Sports Wagon
You’ll find all the creature comforts inside the Volvo V60 Sports Wagon that you would expect in a vehicle that starts at $54,490 and climbs upwards from there including dual-stage child booster seats.
In the T5 and D5 there’s electronic climate control with pollen filters, cruise control, one-touch electric windows, electrically retractable (and heated) exterior mirrors and power driver seat with memory for seat and mirrors.
You’ll also get leather trim, remote central locking, rain sensing windscreen wipers, rear Park Assist and Bluetooth connectivity.
The standard High Performance Sound system combines a full colour 5-inch screen, AM/FM radio, single slot MP3 compatible CD player and eight speakers and comes complete with audio controls on the steering wheel and auxiliary and USB inputs. An optional High Performance Multimedia system is also available that gains a 7-inch screen. A DVD player replaces the CD player.
If you opt for the T6 you’ll also get an upmarket surround sound audio system that includes the 7- inch screen, DVD player and 12 speakers, Volvo’s own navigation system, powered front passenger seat and front Park Assist
The interior of the R-Design variants includes sports seats, leather steering wheel, sports leather gearshift lever, sports pedals, special floor mats, trim inlays and watch-dial instrumentation.
Safety
Of course this is where you would expect Volvo to stand out from the crowd and the V60 Sports Wagon comes with a lot of innovative safety equipment. Standard across the range is Volvo’s City Safety system, Emergency Brake Light system, ABS, driver and passenger front and side airbags plus curtain side airbags, Whiplash Protection System, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, Advanced Stability Control and Rollover Protection System.
Safety options include Volvo’s third generation Adaptive Cruise Control that combines Collision Warning with Full Auto Braking, Queue Assist, Pedestrian Detection and distance alert as well as Lane Departure Warning.
The Adaptive Cruise Control comes with a number of advanced radar and camera-based systems to assist it in keeping you safe.
Prices
Please note that all prices quoted here do not include registration, taxes and other onroad costs; nor do they include dealer delivery charges.
T5 2.0-litre 4cyl Powershift $54,950
T5 R-Design 2.0-litre 4cyl Powershift $59,150
D5 AWD 2.4-litre 5cyl Geartronic $60,950
T6 AWD 3.0-litre 6cyl Geartronic $67,950
T6 AWD R-Design 3.0-litre 6cyl Geartronic $72,150
