Volvo S60 T3 R-Design

Stuck with the albatross of a fuddy-duddy pipe-and-slippers image and a range that most punters would struggle to name, it has tailored the new S60 to bring in customers who want a car that’s fun to drive as well as offering the sort of protection features that have made Volvo a world leader.

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 that 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 square-fronted, 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.

The S60 R-Design goes beyond styling aesthetics and creates a driving experience to take the most dynamic Volvo ever built to an even higher level of enjoyment. Not only are there interior and exterior enhancements, but both models benefit from a sports-derived chassis with modified suspension.

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 and blue instrument dials, while elsewhere Volvo’s engineers have sharpened the steering and agility through a lowered sports chassis with stiffer mounts and springs.

The front of the S60 R-Design benefits from a specially redesigned front bumper housing a modified front grille finished in gloss piano black. The rear of the car also has a modified bumper to incorporate a new rear diffuser. The sporty stance is enhanced with the bumpers being body colourmatched and the lower grille detailed in a special matt finish that is repeated both at the front and rear of the vehicle.

Other exterior styling cues include the R-Design logo, both on the front grille and boot lid, while the frames of the windows and mirror caps also have a silk metal finish. There are twin chromed exhaust tailpipes and 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels to complete the look.

The cabin is cool and sophsticated, 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 slanting of the “floating stack” centre console towards the driver, 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 of the car’s amazing new safety feature (available in an option pack) being overlooked.

The so-called Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake uses a digital camera and radar to scan the road ahead. If they sense a pedestrian moving into the path of the car, the car will brake itself.

Apart from the new system, the S60 has a suite of other advanced safety technologies. These include City Safety, which reduces, and can entirely avoid, low-speed impacts up to 19mph, Driver Alert Control to alert drivers who have become tired or distracted, a blind spot information system which helps detect vehicles in the rear blind spots on both sides of the car, and lane departure warning to alert drivers if the vehicle runs across the lane markers without the turn indicator being used.

These, and other features, add up to the safest Volvo ever built.

Among the three new petrol engines is the 150bhp T3, which provides an alternative to the dieselengined D3 and achieves a respectable average fuel consumption figure of 42.8mpg.

You will notice more legroom in the back, which does much to confirm the S60’s position as a versatile choice for executives.

Available only with six-speed manual transmission, the T3 is powered by Ford’s excellent 1.6-litre turbo Ecoboost engine.

The T3 provides not only respectable acceleration figures but also the cheapest route into RDesign trim.

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.

Yes, the S60 is still very much a Volvo, but not like any other Volvo saloon we have seen or driven before.

Fact file

Volvo S60 T3 R-Design

PRICE: from £25,140

ENGINE: 1.6litre petrol, producing 150PS

TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual

PERFORMANCE: 0 to 60mph in 9.0 seconds, top speed 130mph

ECONOMY: 42.8mpg combined

CO2 RATING: 152g/km