After releasing a few teasers of its all-new S60, Volvo has finally launched its latest mid-size premium sports sedan. The launch took place at Volvo's first US manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina.
Volvo not only launched the S60 but also officially inaugurated its new plant. As of now, the gorgeous new Volvo S60 will be manufactured only here. It will be Volvo's first car ever that is going to be produced in the US.
Volvo continues to use its signature 'hammer' LED DRLs in its new S60. It looks drop-dead beautiful. You won't any problem in recognizing this car as a Volvo. While the front end is pretty interesting and good-looking, it's the rear that takes away our breath. The C-shaped tail lights are definitely one of the best features of the new S60.
Speaking at the launch, Hakan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars, said, “The new S60 is one of the most exciting Volvo cars we've ever made. It is a true driver's car that gives us a strong position in the US and China sedan markets, creating more growth opportunities for Volvo Cars.”
For the first time, Volvo hasn't provided a diesel engine option with its product. The new S60 will be available in two turbocharged and supercharged plug-in hybrid petrol engines - T6 Twin Engine AWD plug-in hybrid that generates a combined 340 hp, and the award-winning T8 Twin Engine AWD plug-in hybrid that delivers 400 hp. The latter will also get an exclusive Polestar Engineered package which upgrades the car's wheels, brakes, suspension and engine control unit, boosting the S60 T8 combined output to 415 hp. Volvo's proven T5 and T6 petrol engines will also be available at launch.
The new S60 is based on the Volvo's latest Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform which we've seen in other Volvo cars like the V60, XC60, and top-of-the-line 90 Series cars. Apart from the platform, the new S60 also shares other parts with these cars like - safety technology and infotainment system.
When it comes to Volvo, you don't have to worry about the safety. Volvo is very serious about the safety of not only the occupants of its cars, but also of the people around it. The new S60 is another Volvo which is one of the safest cars available today. There are various new safety features that Volvo has given to the S60.
There's the City Safety with Autobrake technology that assists the driver in avoiding potential collisions and is the only system on the market to recognize pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals. In a world first for the mid-size sedan segment, City Safety now also engages auto braking to mitigate oncoming collisions. Then we have the Pilot Assist system, which comes as an option, that supports the driver with steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 130 km/h. It has been upgraded with improved cornering performance for the S60.
Henrik Green, senior vice president for research and development at Volvo Cars, shares his views by saying, “The active chassis and drive modes deliver excellent control and an engaged performance that makes this a driver's car. It also brings the acclaimed technology from our 90 Series and other 60 Series cars into this segment, making it one of the best sports sedans on the market.”
Other interesting safety features that you can find on the new Volvo S60 include Run-off-Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, and other steering assistance systems. The optional Cross Traffic Alert with auto brake further enhances safety for people inside and outside the car.
Volvo has also included its latest Sensus Connect infotainment system in the new S60. It is fully compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G, and keeps drivers connected at all times. The intuitive control is a tablet-style touchscreen interface that combines car functions, navigation, connected services and in-car entertainment apps. In a first for the segment, customers can access the new S60 via Volvo Cars' new premium subscription service Care by Volvo, which offers car access with no down payment via a monthly flat-fee subscription rather than ownership. Care by Volvo makes having a car as transparent, easy and hassle-free as having a phone.
Volvo's decision of not providing a diesel engine option in its new S60 tells us the company's industry-leading commitment to electrification and a long-term future beyond the traditional combustion engine. In 2017 Volvo Cars was the first global car maker to announce its strategy that from 2019 all new models will be electrified.
