JUDGING from the reaction of the assembled hacks at its press launch in Sweden, Volvo’s new V60 five-door, mid-size premium estate, is a winner.
Big thumbs up for styling as the Swedish company underlines its position as a maker of cars that combine good looks with everyday practicality.
The car was launched in its natural habitat – the driveway of a family home in Stockholm – highlighting Volvo’s pedigree in family estates, but this car also fits the bill as a working company car.
The new Volvo V60 goes on sale now. UK prices for the V60 will start at £31,810 on the road; first customer deliveries are expected in Q3 2018.
The new Volvo V60 shares Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform which also underpins the new XC60 and three top-of-the-line 90 series cars.
This allows the V60 to introduce a new standard to the mid-size premium estate segment with a more spacious, luxurious interior, advanced connectivity, and the latest driver-support systems and other safety technology.
Reflecting Volvo’s announcement to electrify all new cars from 2019, the V60 comes with two plug-in hybrid powertrain options:
the new T6 Twin Engine AWD petrol plug-in hybrid that generates a combined 340hp;
or the T8 Twin Engine AWD petrol plug-in hybrid that delivers 390p.
Both will see benefits when it comes to company car tax although full details are not yet available
There’s also petrol T5 and T6 powertrains or D3 and D4 diesels.
Safety features include advanced driver-support systems from the 90 series and XC60. City Safety with Autobrake technology uses automatic braking and detection systems to assist the driver in avoiding potential collisions. This is the only system on the market to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. City Safety now also engages autobraking to mitigate oncoming collisions.
Pilot Assist, which supports the driver with steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 80mph, has been upgraded with improved cornering performance. The V60 also includes Run-off Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation and other steering-assistance systems. The optional Cross Traffic Alert with autobrake further improves safety for people inside and outside the car.
Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4G, and keeps drivers connected at all times. The system is controlled via an intuitive tablet-style touch screen that combines car functions, navigation, connected services and entertainment apps.
