Review: 2013 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design

February 4, 2013 by 2 Comments

IMG_0343

In the Volvo family of cars, the S60 T6 R-Design sits at the top of the performance food chain-in other words, this is as hot as it gets. Even today, most people rarely think of Volvo’s as quick or entertaining cars, with safety being the first thing that comes to mind when Volvo is mentioned. But the truth is, Volvo has been dabbling with hot rod versions of their cars for years. As an awkward fifteen year old, I have fond memories of being catapulted down the scenic Merritt Parkway by my neighbor, and boss on our way to work in mega-wealthy Old Greenwich, Connecticut in his 1984 Volvo 240 Turbo wagon. Well, I’m 40 now, not quite as awkward, and I do the driving now, thank you. So it was time to sample Volvo’s current hot rod.

Not that The Garage is any stranger to the Volvo S60. Last fall we reviewed the base T5 AWD, and came away very impressed. The S60 is arguably one of the most handsome luxury sedans on the market, and without a doubt the sexiest Volvo ever built. It will, however, take a true Volvo fanatic to recognize you are piloting the R-Design. Unique 18″ wheels, front and rear spoilers, rear diffuser and polished exhaust pipes. In other words, the changes are very subtle. Not so subtle was our test car finished in Rebel Blue, a color nearly every person I asked disliked. Color is a personal choice, but since the R-Design is so subtle against its less powerful S60 siblings, a milder color would make this the ultimate Q-Ship.

IMG_0348

If the changes to the exterior are subtle, then the interior is even more so. Special sport seats, steering wheel, shift knob, blue watch dial gauges and aluminum pedals are all that differentiate the R-Design from other S60′s. And that is not a bad thing, as the S60 has an open, airy cabin that is exceptionally comfortable, especially over long distances. As before, most controls are fairly intuitive, but the S60 seems to be a step behind the competition with its infotainment interface. Even so, the S60 R-Design sports some of the best seats in the business.

So while we all agree the R-Design does not do a lot to distinguish itself from outside/inside, the biggest difference is what lies in the engine bay, where you will find a 3.0L turbocharged inline six rated at 325hp, paired to a six-speed automatic. All R-Design S60′s are all-wheel drive. Sadly, no manual transmission is offered. The R has 75 more horsepower than the five cylinder T5, and Volvo claims a 0-60mph of 5.5 seconds, which is over a second quicker. Suspension and steering have also been tightened up for the R-Design. Yes, it is quick and tight, but as I drove the R-Design, I kept thinking back to the sublime Audi S4. Boasting only eight more horsepower, the S4 will toast the S60 1.1 seconds to 60. While the S4 is intense and engaging, the R-Design has the goods but the speed is delivered in a far smoother, relaxed manner.

IMG_0346

But where the R-Design trumps its competitors is price. And not because it is lacks features or suffers from inferior build quality and materials-far from it. The Volvo S60 easily matches its Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz rivals. This top-spec S60 has a starting MSRP of $43,900. Our test car included the Platinum package (navigation, premium sound, rear view camera), and Climate package (heated front seats, interior air quality system, heated windshield washer nozzles). Including delivery, our S60 T6 R-Design had a cost of $48,195, which is about $12,000 less than the Audi S4 we tested with similar content. If you don’t demand a manual tranny, and for normal daily driving, the R-Design is by far the better buy.

If you view Volvo owners as New England types working at prestigious universities, well, you would not be far off. Owning a Volvo is not to show off your car to brag to your friends about, that’s what BMW’s are for. And despite Volvo’s heritage in turbocharging cars, public perception still perceives Volvo has a brand that places safety above all else, and that is true. What most do not know is that you can be enveloped in an extremely safe Volvo, and have some fun as well. If your perception of Volvo owners is the college professor, then the S60 T6 R-Design is the cool college professor you had that played in a blues band on weekends. Fun, passionate, yet mellow. In other words, a long term friend, for which Volvo’s have a strong reputation for.

Filed Under: Featured Stories, New car reviews, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Review: 2013 Volvo S60 T5 AWD

November 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I would forgive you in an instant if you hadn’t noticed the changes happening at the entry-level side of Volvo’s offerings in North America. The compact S40/V50 sedan and wagon quietly departed here two years ago, replaced with the sublime V40, which is not available here. Now comes news the two door hatch C30, which had hoped to steal sales away from the MINI Cooper but barely made a ripple here will also be exiting the stage. So, what then is the entry-level Volvo?

Well, that leaves the S60, which for many years was comfortably positioned as Volvo’s mid-level, bread and butter sedan, positioned above the smaller S40 and luxurious S80. The Garage reviewed a 2011 Volvo S60 T6, and we came away impressed. That was the sole S60 for 2011, but in 2012, Volvo added the S60 T5. A less powerful S60 that would ultimately wear the dubious crown of being the ‘starter’ Volvo. Was any luster lost? Read on…

I’ve been staring at my pics of the T5 and T6, and I cannot tell any difference between the two. Apart from the T5 badge on the rear, no one will know you went with the base model. Two years on, the S60 still looks fantastic. Volvo still marches to the beat of their own drum while other competitors relentlessly chase the German marques. In place of our T6′s eye searing copper paint, our T5 was finished in a soothing Ice White. All S60′s come standard with 17″ alloys, but our test car was equipped with an alternative, optional Kjord Design, which look far better than the stock wheels for only a little extra money. Style-wise, this is one sophisticated looking car, handsome, contemporary, and in a class of its own.

I confess, on my first encounter with the S60 the Beechwood leather seating surfaces left me cold. Second time around, I was warming up to them. Yes, it is a bold color, but without the copper exterior, it was much easier to swallow. After a 500 mile round trip from Connecticut to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I actually started to like it. The seats offer comfort that are best in class. Controls are easy to use, gauges simple and elegant to look at. I relished attention to details, such as an illuminated shift knob showing your gear. Offered a choice between an S60 or BMW 3-series for a long distance tourer, I would pick the Volvo in a heartbeat. The only downside was a smallish trunk. We’re a family of three, so we could fit items in the back seat, but a larger family would find the S60 a challenge for long trips.

For the gearheads, the real question is what is the trade-off by going with the base engine? The T5 is powered by a 2.5L inline-five cylinder rated at 250hp, paired to a six-speed automatic. That’s down 50hp from the T6 we last reviewed. The T5 is offered in front or all-wheel drive. Our car was all-wheel drive, and Volvo claims a 0-60mph time of 6.6 seconds. That’s about a half second slower than the T6, while delivering 20/29 MPG city/highway mileage. Bombing down the interstate at 80mpg the S60 T5 was showing 27MPG on the trip computer.  It’s no scorcher, but the power is always there when you need it, and passing is done with ease. The T5 is the smoothest five cylinder car I have driven to date.

The ride quality is exceptionally comfortable. Steering is direct, with just enough feel to keep me happy. I found the handling to be confidence inspiring. It’s these Connecticut-Pennsylvania trips that really tell me the story of a car, especially when my son and wife doze away, it is just the car, the road and me where I truly get a feel of the car, and in this case, the S60 was positively one of the most stand-out cars of the year. That I can point the S60 at rapid pace without disturbing my passengers as they nap is the mark of an excellent automobile.

The Volvo S60 T5 starts at $31,900USD. Our test car added all-wheel drive, the Premier Package (power moonroof, leather seating, auto dimming rearview mirror, power passenger seat, keyless entry), Climate Package (heated front seats, air quality system, heated windshield washer nozzles), rear spoiler and upgraded wheels, with an as delivered charge of $38, 178. Yes, I scoffed at the price of the car with the absence of of GPS navigation (which is available), but reminded myself the four banger BMW we reviewed cost over $50,000 which offered only a few extra bells and whistles. In that light, the Volvo is a virtual bargain.

In the world of cars, entry-level and base model often provoke fears of decontented, weakly powered cars, but with the Volvo S60 T5, that is hardly the case. Odds are, if you are a potential buyer, you have a phone with GPS. If you demand a stick shift and slightly sharper handling, the BMW is your car. But again, if long distance touring is your thing, and you prize a roomier interior and a calmer demeanor with a distinct Swedish flair without giving up anything in speed and handling composure, a look at the Volvo S60 T5 is worth a look, and will never leave you with the impression of driving a base model.

Filed Under: Featured Stories, In The Garage, New car reviews, New cars, Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Robb Holland joins Compass360 Racing for World Challenge opener in St. Pete

March 10, 2012 by 1 Comment

Popular Denver, Colorado racer Robb Holland finished off the 2011 Pirelli World Challenge season with a third place in the championship, but that didn’t mean he had a ride for 2012. The problem was that the Volvo C30 program being run by K-Pax racing came to an end at the close of the season.

Earlier this week, Karl Thomson of Compass360 Racing announced that Holland would be returning to the Toronto based team to drive the #70 Civic at the season opening race in Florida. The St. Petersburg race is a support event for the Indycar season opener. While the deal is currently just for the one race, it sounds like there is a possibility that there might be more news soon.

Check out a gallery of Holland in action at the 2011 Mosport round of WC, along with the team press release after the jump.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Motorsport, Racing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

2011 VARAC Festival is in the books

June 20, 2011 by 1 Comment

It was a busy weekend here in The Garage, as Jay Tomchuck headed to MIS to cover the NASCAR race, while I stayed closer to home and shot bits and pieces of the VARAC Festival at Mosport. Saturday morning I even took in a preview screening of Cars 2! As a result of the busy weekend, I only got to shoot a bit on Friday afternoon and then most of the afternoon on Sunday. This meant that I spent next to no time socializing in the paddock and didn’t get any stories from the racers. I did however get some great shots of the on track action.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Stories, Motorsport, Vintage Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Volvo ‘Thins the Herd’

June 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

If the notion of a compact Volvo sedan or wagon sounds appealing to you and you live in the USA-you’d better hurry up and head to your local Volvo dealer. In a post from Kicking Tires, it is reported that the S40 sedan and V50 wagon are being dropped from the US Volvo line for 2012 (no mention of these car’s fate in Canada is mentioned), but it appears the cars will continue to be available in Europe. The S40/V50 have never been strong sellers in the US. The current S40 debuted as a 2004 model, and Volvo has done little in the way of revisions since. The S40 was a bit of an odd duck in the US market. Priced within a grand between the larger and more practical, albeit also long in the tooth Saab 9-3, the case for this car was thin, and counter to what it seems most Americans desire from Volvo today.

Volvo’s push in the US is to focus on its volume markets, with the S60, S80 and rugged XC’s. Kicking Tires points out the Volvo V70 wagon was dropped for 2011 here, hard to believe since Volvo is so well known for its wagons. For 2012, the XC70 is the sole station wagon available in the US. It comes as some surprise then that the C30, which is based on the S40/V50 platform will be offered here in 2012, as will the C70 hardtop convertible-both slow-sellers here in the US. My opinion is Volvo is willing to hang onto these models-for now-as youthful, or aspirational halo cars. My experiences in both those cars merit that reasoning. In the C30, this was Edward Cullen’s whip from the first ‘Twilight’ movie, and the sexy, sophisticated C70 drew compliments aplenty.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , ,

Review: 2011 Volvo S60

June 8, 2011 by 1 Comment

I believe there is truth that cars and people can go together, and in the journey of life, sometimes you meet someone you simply associate with a certain make or model of car. When I received the all-new 2011 Volvo S60 T6, I recalled my neighbor Chuck Peterson. I met Chuck when I was 12 years old as his paperboy, and from then until his death a few years ago, Chuck always had a Volvo parked in his driveway. A consummate Volvo guy, I’d have loved to get his opinion on the swoopy, so-called ‘naughty’ S60.

With barely a hard edge to be found, it’s almost impossible to believe that the S60 can trace its ancestry back to the beloved, and unapologetically boxy 240. The first generation S60 represented a major departure for Volvo’s mainstream sedan, but here’s the problem. That car debuted as a 2001 model, and for a staggering decade that car soldiered on, largely unchanged. In the car business, that’s normally two generations of cars. And with little development during the span of ten years, you risk two things-the media have nothing to report on or review to keep you in the headlines, and worse, car buyers simply lose interest altogether. When you compete in a class occupied by the BMW 3-series and Mercedes C-Class,whose makers spare no expense to outdo each other, you will be eaten alive. So, the question is, has Volvo delivered a viable contender in this white-hot premium sport sedan market? Read on…

The new S60 is an evolution of the first generation car, and it goes even further for the coupe-like appearance. As swoopy as the S60 is, there is still no mistaking it for anything but a Volvo. And I applaud Volvo for having faith in their own design team to create a look unique to themselves. Does this car compete against the German stalwarts? Absolutely. But the S60′s exterior design is Scandinavian to the core, and is proud of it. Our test car was painted in Vibrant Copper Metallic, a striking, but controversial color. During my week with the S60, I could not find a soul who had anything positive to say about the color of our test car. What plays well on the auto show stand doesn’t always work in the real world, even here in New England where Volvo’s are adored.

Inside, the S60 offers a superbly isolated, quiet, comfortable cabin. The quality of materials are excellent-everything you touch feels high quality. The seats are supremely comfortable, and I’m tempted to say the most comfortable in this class. You actually feel better after just sitting on the high quality leather seats as soon as you get in the car. Yes-they are that good. The driver is faced with a gauge cluster so clear and simple, it borders on shocking given the amount of info the competition tries to cram into the same space. Again, Scandinavian simplicity is the theme here. My only complaint is that the navigation and audio controls felt years behind the better systems available today. Consistent with the controversial copper exterior, our test car’s interior was Beechwood Brown, or, what I call, orange. Not my personal choice, and the interior color failed to win anyone over during my week with the S60.

Our Volvo S60 T6 is motivated by a turbocharged 3.0L inline six rated at 300hp, paired to a six-speed automatic, and equipped with all-wheel drive. Volvo claims a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds, which is fairly quick for an all-wheel drive car in this class. In the late 1980′s, Volvo advertised that their 740 Turbo wagon was as quick to 60mph as a Porsche 944. To put the performance of the new S60 into perspective, this car is only 3/10th’s of a second slower to 60mph than a 2011 Porsche Boxster. Quick indeed. But in reality, no one who buys an S60 will be drag racing Boxsters. What the Volvo offers is good acceleration off the line, and more than adequate passing power. The standard six-speed automatic was smooth and seamless in operation. No manual tranny is available. For 2012, Volvo is adding a turbocharged 2.5L inline-five cylinder S60 rated at 250hp to slot under our T6 test car. No one will rave about the 18/26mpg city/highway fuel economy, but such is life with an all-wheel drive luxury sedan.

The Volvo S60 T6 AWD starts with an MSRP of $37,700USD. Our test car had every conceivable option package on it. The Premium package adds a power moonroof, power passenger seat and xenon headlights. The Technology package, which best showcases Volvo’s reputation for safety innovation, adds adaptive cruise control, collision warning with full auto brake, distance alert, driver alert control, lane departure warning, and pedestrian detection with full auto brake. Throw in heated seats, surround sound audio, navigation and rear view camera, the tab rings up at $46,200, including delivery charges.

In sum, the Volvo S60 is a fine car with no serious flaws. No, it may not be the driver’s car that the BMW 3-series is, but face it, not every buyer looking for a premium luxury car wants that. What the S60 offers is superb comfort, innovative safety features, and good performance with the added confidence of all-wheel drive. A definite must-see if you are shopping for a premium sport sedan. As for my friend Chuck, a Volvo diehard, I don’t doubt he would approve.

 

Filed Under: Featured Stories, In The Garage, New car reviews, New cars Tagged With: , ,

2010 in retrospect

January 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Matt Waldin at Mosport

2010 has been a year of ups and downs here in my corner of The Garage. Fortunately, on a professional level there were more ups than downs and those ups have helped open some doors that will be very important in the coming months.

It is hard to believe, but a year ago I was prepping for my first ever visit to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Having been involved in automotive media since 2001 and working in the auto industry for over 2 decades, you would think I would have made it there at some point. Last year, I went down as part of a social media project set up by the good folks at GM. I met some great people who I’ve previously only spoken to online. I’m looking forward to the same trip next week!

Returning from Detroit, I agreed to help out my friends at Porsche Canada by doing social media coverage of Canadian team, Bullet Racing at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. From my couch. For free. It has been something like 18 years since I was involved in a 24 hour race, so it was an honor to work with the team.

The Victoria Day weekend has traditionally been the first big road racing event of the season here in Ontario. I jumped at the chance to ride shotgun with Randy Pobst in the K-Pax Racing Volvo S60 for a couple of hot laps around Mosport. That beast is a machine I’ll never forget!

Thanks to Bridgestone, I had the opportunity to squeeze myself into a formula car for the first time. 900 lbs, 170 hp = the most intense driving experience EVER!

By far the biggest high of the year came from the discovery of photography, which happened as a result of my being prodded by Allan de la Plante. AdlP set me on a path that surprised the daylights out of me. I can actually take killer racing photos!

I’ve had the opportunity to work with teams racing with NASCAR, Indy Lights, Castrol Touring Cars, Playboy Mazda, World Challenge, ALMS and Trans Am. I became a member of the respected American Racing Press Association. This is the stuff dreams are made of and it is only going to get better in 2011 as I travel to more races outside of Ontario.

My photos have been published in 2 of Canada’s top national newspapers and several local papers around the GTA.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: In The Garage Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Red Cloud arrives at CN Tower 30 years later

November 22, 2010 by Leave a Comment

When I heard that Garry Sowerby and Ken Langley were going to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of their drive around the world by doing a round the World tour of Toronto, I just knew The Garage had to be there. While I was able to make it to the starting point, the big celebration was going to happen on Friday while I was at Tall Pines. I asked friend of The Garage, John Walker, if he would do me the honors. Of course I mentioned there would be free beer, so he was all for it!

Here is John’s story:

Got a call form Gary Grant saying he was a way and needed someone to cover this historic Red clouds car…I said ok, but WTF is a Red Clouds car? He said it’s this Volvo 245 DL that has circumnavigated the globe in a record breaking 74 days-shattering the previous record of 102.
And they are Canadians based out of Nova Scotia. Garry Sowerby(Original drivers suit and navigator sunglasses) and Ken Langley; school mates and travelling companions. Is that the same car that was on the Guinness Book of World Records?? I asked . Yep it is! Gary responded.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Road Trips Tagged With: , , , , ,

Red Cloud rides again!

November 16, 2010 by 1 Comment

When I try to explain who Garry Sowerby is to my non gearhead friends, I am often reminded of how unconventional my perspective on things is and must have always been. I usually start off with something like…”you know, that Canadian guy who circled the globe in a Volvo and then set other records in a Suburban. Whattyameanno? You know…the guy who always had his Suburban at the Toronto car show back in the 80′s.”

While I can’t remember what day it is, I remember that Volvo and the Suburban that followed it. I even remember the Sierra that came after that. It is very hard to believe that this Friday marks 30 years since Sowerby and co driver Ken Langley rolled into Toronto at the end of their Guiness World Record run in the Volvo that became known as Red Cloud. That was pretty heady stuff for a 13 year old gearhead like me.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Road Trips Tagged With: , , , , ,

Review: Volvo C70

July 13, 2010 by 2 Comments

In the world of premium hardtop convertibles, Volvo deviates from the standard recipe-typically a rear wheel drive, six cylinder car. Instead, Volvo offers a front wheel drive car, with a five cylinder engine. The current C70 has been around since 2006, but was refreshed for 2011. The most notable features of the new car is the new, sleek front end, LED taillamps, and improved interior materials. Sadly, the six-speed manual transmission was dropped, due to a lack of demand. But stacked against some intense competition, how does the Volvo compare?

[Read more...]

Filed Under: In The Garage, New car reviews, New cars Tagged With: , ,
«Older Posts