Comments on: 2010 Volvo S60 confirmed for late-2010 Australian launch

By: Paddy

Paddy — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:30:55 +0000

The 85kW/270Nm 1.6 D DRIVe is the green hero, requiring just 4.3 litres to travel 100km and emitting just 11.5kg of CO2 along the way.

WOW FLIP!! 11.5kg. Haha, think it’s more like 115g?

By: jimmy

jimmy — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:37:38 +0000

I guess it will be positioned as an A4, C-class and 3 series competitor? I’d seriously consider the s60 if I was in that market.

By: erneztp

erneztp — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:22:21 +0000

wow it has a unique placement of ac vents. I always love the volvo interior.

By: Cynical

Cynical — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:34:01 +0000

Peter, you are quite right; the S80 was produced (and won awards) commencing in 1998 – so it was the first of the “new design”. I too will be interested to see what aspects of the new S60 design are reflected in the next S80 / V70 (or V80). To me, this artist’s rendering of the proposed V60 – http://www.motorauthority.com/pictures/1038316_rendered-2011-volvo-v60_gallery-1#100232917 – gives the new design a more cohesive appearance. What do you think?

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:22:39 +0000

Just a bit of detail between volvo admirers – my recollection is that the s80 came first in maybe 2000 or so, just before the s60 came out, and really the s80 was the first of the new design. Is that right? I actually like the secondary lighting bars (thanks, I would have called them “lighty bits on the front”) which wouldnt be prone to the type of failure that the LED bulbs are (I commented earlier today that LED looks crap when one bulb goes, like a nice smile with a tooth missing). I liked the prototype better, but I like this one too. If it had all of the typical volvo tricks, it’d just be a bigger s40 or a smaller s80, I suppose – not that there’s anything wrong with that, but this one will be distinctive in the lineup. Maybe the s80 will follow it, and that’d be a good thing, coz the front end on the s80 is a bit weak and chinless for an impressive car, IMO.

By: Kris

Kris — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:09:02 +0000

Best looking Volvo I’ve seen, and finally some decent engines to go with it. Might give them a bit of a kick-start in sales with a bit of luck.

By: DG

DG — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:08:57 +0000

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

By: Cynical

Cynical — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:00:52 +0000

To me, the design of the new S60 is disappointing. The car’s snout appears ungainly and contrived when compared with the design of the original (Peter Horbury-designed) S60. And, what is more, some of the hallmarks of Volvo’s established design language – recognisable Volvo shoulders and the “V” bonnet design – appear to have been obscured if not lost. Please, Volvo, don’t let the iron-mark get any bigger, it now borders upon caricature. The original S60 marked a substantial leap forward in Volvo design – particularly when compared with the Volvo 850 / S70 which it succeeded – but, at the same time, it managed to retain meaningful references to Volvo design history. The second S60 does not mark any such leap forward. Let’s hope that with the departure of Steve Mattin from, and the return of Horbury to, the Volvo design studio we soon see a real return to form for Volvo design. I was pleased to read in a recent interview with Horbury that he does not envisage that the secondary lighting bars which appear on the XC60 and S60 will feature on all future Volvos. They are twee and not unique (see the new Mercedes Benz E-Class). Mattin’s work was / is not all bad (I happen to own two cars in the design of which he had a hand, one a Volvo and the other a Mercedes Benz) but I think we shall have to wait to see the first car to reflect the labours of Horbury’s second coming at Volvo to see true indicia of future Volvo design.

By: Aleks

Aleks — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:56:13 +0000

Who ever is the lead designer at Volvo should be getting huge bonuses, Volvo is quickly starting to become on my favorite brands in terms of the looks department. All there new cars are very sexy inside and out.

By: Baddass

Baddass — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:31:26 +0000

I think it will be the best Volvo yet, based on how much Volvo is backing it, and reports that it is the best driver’s Volvo yet. I love the look too, but from front on the upright grille and compact headlights make it look a little bluff. But when you move the angle to so you can see the whole length of the car, it improves dramatically.