Volvo eyes market to suit sporty new looks

By DAVID LINKLATER

The Radisson SAS in Gothenburg has a rare feature for an inner-city hotel: the windows open.

Ideal really, because it allowed me some extra neck-craning space while I was working out whether the Volvo parked two storeys below was an S80 or the new S60.

Same pointed snout, same strongman shoulders, same larva-lamp tail-lights at the rear.

Could have saved myself a stretch. The arrested looks of the passers-by below indicated that this was the new car. And that greater Gothenburg has a finely honed sense of things Volvo.

At a range slightly closer than two storeys you would never confuse the 60 with the 80.

The Peter Horbury-penned styling themes might be shared, but the new car's short overhangs and coupe-like rear roofline are a dramatic departure from the larger car.

Not to mention the wider-than-wide shoulders, which are taken to extremes on the newcomer.

The S60, which will be shown in New Zealand at Big Boys' Toys but isn't due for local launch until January, is based on the same platform as the S80, V70 and Cross Country (which the company counts as a separate model).

Up to 60 per cent of components are shared across the four models; the other 40 per cent are brand new.

Join the dots and you can see that, at least in theory, the S60 is a replacement for the old S70 sedan.

But in practical terms it's far removed from that car's squared-off styling and conservative chassis dynamics.

Totally different image, totally different market.

The S70 has barely figured in Volvo's New Zealand sales over the past couple of years, but local importer Scandinavian Vehicle Distributors expects the new S60 to outsell even the V70 wagon.

Where are these sales supposed to come from? Some are expected to upgrade from the S40, but the Audi A4, BMW 3-series and Mercedes C-Class loom largest in Volvo's sights.

At 4576mm the Volvo is longer than all of its rivals. Its 2715mm wheelbase is 40mm shorter than the V70 but still 50mm longer than the old S70, and matches the new Mercedes C-Class millimetre-for-millimetre.

The three S60 models for New Zealand borrow their five-cylinder engines from the V70 line-up: the 125kW 2.4-litre 20-valve, the 132kW 2.4 light-pressure turbo (LPT) and the mighty 184kW 2.3 T5.

Five-speed automatic transmission will be standard, with a five-speed manual available to special order - including the quirky Spaceball alloy gearlever and gate.

Prices were yet to be decided at the time of writing, but expect the non-turbo entry version to sit in the low-$70,000 bracket, with $10,000 increments to the two turbo S60s.

All of the safety equipment from the V70 is carried over to the S60, including an intelligent front airbag and seatbelt system, side and window airbags, WHIPS anti-whiplash seats and anti-lock brakes with electronic force distribution.

The S60's dashboard architecture is also uplifted from the ergonomically outstanding V70.

There's more focus on the front-seat passengers than the rear, but don't be fooled by that sloping C-pillar - the cleverly positioned rear seat and indented interior roofline result in excellent headroom, even for six-footers.

Despite the shared platform, Volvo would prefer you not to think of the S60 as simply a sedan version of the V70.

It's aimed at different buyers and competes with cars (at least) a size below its estate sibling.

In fact, after two days in Sweden driving both the LPT and T5 versions of the S60 it's clear that the sedan has the measure of its load-lugging sibling on the road.

The steering is less corrupted by mid-corner bumps, the car is much sharper in corners and the ride quality is superior in all conditions.

The difference is partly down to the superior rigidity of the three-box body shape, but other factors include the shorter wheelbase, wide track and superior weight distribution.

Our T5 test car rode on the optional sport suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels. The set-up was firm but acceptable over rough surfaces at low speed and the extra stiffness is welcome with the outrageous performance that 184kW provides.

The star of the line-up, however, is the car that will also comprise about 70 per cent of New Zealand S60 sales - the LPT.

There's still plenty of performance from the 132kW engine without the massive power delivery of the T5, the characterful sound of the five-cylinder engine is even more obvious and the more compliant Dynamic suspension set-up is a perfect match for the S60 chassis.

In the executive-car game of tit-for-tat the S60 makes a strong case against the German trio that has traditionally dominated the class.

First impressions suggest that the Volvo won't match Audi, BMW and Mercedes for outright driver appeal, but will instead push the boundaries forward in performance, build quality and styling. And, of course, safety. Let's call it a window of opportunity.