Volvo S60 T6 Awd R-Design Lux Nav

But at the other end of the scale you can now tuck yourself behind the wheel of an S60 that will return less than 30 miles to the gallon and emit 231 grammes of CO2 per kilometre.

It will also propel you from standstill to 62mph in under six seconds.

For this is the T6 AWD R-Design Auto version, Volvo’s attempt to steer high performance-seeking customers away from the M3, S3 and C Class AMG versions of its respective German rivals BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Volvo has tailored this particular S60 to bring in customers who want a car that’s thrilling to drive as well as offering the sort of comfort and protection features that have made Volvo a world leader.

The R-Design S60 is a flagship model in Volvo’s assault on 2014, featuring a unique face with a redesigned nose and frameless black grille. At the back, there’s a diffuser with aero fins flanked by round tailpipes. Big clues, then, to the performance potential.

Sitting on a lowered sport chassis, the T6 comes armed with a threelitre engine pumping out 304bhp and 440 Nm of torque. It also comes as standard with all-wheel drive delivered to the wheels via Volvo’s six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission. With a price tag topping £40,000, it is about twice as expensive as the entry-level S60 T3.

But that’s the price you pay for premium brand performance.

I always look forward to sinking into the plush and comfortable seats of a Volvo, and even these sporty leather R-Design seats cushion your body beautifully.

What you would normally expect to happen next, as you press down with your right foot in an S60, is gentle progress. Not so with the T6, which has the potential to shove you back into those bolstered plump seats.

Slot the drive selector stick into sport mode and there’s an almighty slug of acceleration on hand to partner the delicious torque plateau.

There’s more fun to be had with the paddle-shifters to complete what is a compelling package of driving manners.

The four-door saloon is coupé-like in profile, with a steeply-raked rear screen and rear pillars flowing into the tail-lights.

On looks alone, you would have to say the designers have succeeded in putting the S60 on the shopping list of those looking for a compact executive car. This is about as far removed from the classic squarefronted, load-lugging Volvo image as you could possibly get.

In a word, the S60 has become assertive. And in R-Design trim, it is even more assertive, yet remains practical as a luggage and family carrier.

The S60 R-Design in T6 guise goes beyond styling aesthetics and creates a driving experience to take the most dynamic Volvo ever built to an even higher level of enjoyment.

The R-Design comes with a range of extra design details. On the inside, the driver and front passenger sit in leather/textileupholstered sports seats with increased side support behind a three-spoke sports steering wheel , while elsewhere Volvo’s engineers have sharpened the steering and agility through the sports chassis with stiffer mounts and springs.

The cabin is cool and sophisticated, continuing the design themes of other recent models in the Volvo stable, and it’s extremely comfortable - something that Volvo drivers have come to expect.

But there are some extra nice touches, like the extra legroom for rear seat passengers and the ergonomically-excellent line-up of controls for audio and air conditioning.

With such a dramatic change to the car’s appearance, there’s a danger that the car’s amazing new optional feature will be overlooked.

Sensus Connected Touch turns the seven-inch dashboard display screen into an infrared touchscreen that can be used even when wearing gloves - a world-first in cars.

The driver goes online either via a car-mounted 3G/4G dongle or a mobile phone. Features include the industry’s first first in-dash, fully integrated voice search Spotify application. The voice activation system works on all music sources connected to the system, and it is possible to share a WiFi network with everyone in the car.

There are headlights that automatically adjust from full beam to prevent dazzle to oncoming drivers, new pedestrian and cyclist detection software that applies full braking power, low-speed cornering light for better visibility and City Safety, which reduces, and can entirely avoid, low-speed impacts up to 31mph.

There’s even an update to the previously camera-based BLIS (blind spot information system), which has been replaced by radar sensors.

With its high levels of standard equipment, stand-out styling, classleading safety technology and levels of driver enjoyment and refinement not seen from a Volvo in some time, this second-generation S60 offers the Volvo faithful and new converts a credible alternative to a purchase from the ‘Big Three’ German firms.

Fact file

Volvo S60 T6 Awd R-Design Lux Nav

PRICE: £40,665 (S60 prices start at £20,550)

ENGINE: Six-cylinder 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol, 304bhp

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed Geartronic auto driving all four wheels

PERFORMANCE: 0 to 62mph in 5.9 seconds; top speed 155mph

ECONOMY: 28.5mpg combined

CO2 RATING: 231g/km