The new Volvo S60 and XC60: Major renewal boosts the dynamic appearance and appeal of the Volvo 60 cluster
The new Volvo S60 and XC60: Major renewal boosts the dynamic appearance and appeal of the Volvo 60 cluster
- New design focusing on quality and attention to detail
- New, more comfortable sport seats
- Sensus Connected Touch system with unique online possibilities
ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (March 27, 2013) - Volvo unveiled a major renewal of its S60 and XC60 models at the New York Auto Show, amounting to the most extensive development of existing models in the Scandinavian automaker's history.
"We have focused on quality and attention to detail in order to give these dynamic models a major boost and sharpen their competitiveness," says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President, Product Strategy & Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Car Group. He continues: "The S60 and XC60 are our best-selling models in several important markets. We have been listening very carefully to our customers in order to make improvements that ensure that we make these successful cars more attractive."
Emphasized attention to detail
Scandinavian design is exemplified by beautiful, simple shapes and surfaces with any unnecessary clutter removed. This is evident in the redesigned interior and exterior of the new 60 cars. Inside, the attention to detail, the authentic materials - such as wood and leather - and the easy-to-use controls contribute to the in-command driving experience.
Supportive seats that ensure a comfortable after a long trip have been a Volvo strength for decades. The buyer of a new S60 or XC60 can now specify a new sport seat that retains this traditional comfort and makes a perfect addition to the in-command feel of a true driver's car.
"The new sport seat has great hugging side support all the way from the thighs to the shoulders, so the seat keeps the driver firmly in position when cornering fast. We've also made adjustments to the seat back, so it provides more legroom for passengers in the rear," says Project Director Patrik Widerstrand.
There are several other examples of the attention to detail in the new 60 cluster cars. The previously visible washer nozzles have been relocated out of sight under the hood. The radar cover has been painted gloss black, which practically makes it disappear in the grill. The chrome frame around the grill has been removed and the new bigger ironmark badge enhances the new cars' self-confident look.
The new integrated tailpipes - standard on all engines for the S60 and XC60 - are the physical and visual link to the technically advanced engines. But it's not just about beautiful design: the designers have had to cope with the fact that at operating temperature, the tailpipes have to remain perfectly in place despite the exhaust system expanding in length by up to 25mm. This is another example of true Scandinavian precision engineering.
The new S60 and XC60 offer an extended wheel choice with a variety of designs that increase the personalization possibilities for customers.
"To enhance the visual appeal of the car, customers can now specify their S60 with expressive 19-inch wheels and keep the same profile height as 18-inch ones, so they don't lose any comfort," says Patrik Widerstrand.
The XC60 is available with 20-inch wheels while keeping the same tire profile height and ride comfort as with 19-inch wheels.
The new Volvo S60
The new dynamic S60 design, with its purposeful, dynamic appearance, accentuates the car's sporting nature.
"We've really increased the S60's road presence with a new front design. The more focused and determined-looking headlamps help create this new, expressive ‘face.' We were thinking of a wolf's eyes when we designed them," explains Fedde Talsma, Design Director, Exterior. He adds: "We've emphasized the S60's horizontal lines at both the front and rear. Together with details such as a wider grill, daylight running lights and a new LED light guide on the tail lamps, they give the S60 a striking, powerful presence. The car has a beauty that is rooted in the natural world. The clean surfaces and contours give it a very Scandinavian feel."
Inside, there are upgrades such as new upholstery colors, new wood inlays, a new headliner, and the silk metal frames around the air vents and light controls.
"The overall effect is very warm and cozy, like being in a warm Swedish house on a cold night. The color themes correspond beautifully with the backlit white controls in the dash and elsewhere in the car," adds Lena Jiseborn, Design Director, Color and Trim.
And under the skin, at the heart of the dynamic driving experience, is a wide choice of chassis settings, designed around the customer's personal requirements. The S60 buyer has a choice of three chassis types - Touring, Dynamic and Lower Sport Chassis (in combination with the new 19-inch Bor wheel), previously only available on the R-Design version.
The new Volvo XC60 - in-command capability with around-town style
On the exterior the XC60 gets a more urban twist. The redesigned front features a new hood shape that emphasizes the wide, confident look.
"We've taken away any black trim so the car is now all one body color. The new headlamps look very focused and determined, and the horizontal lines on the grill with its chrome bars emphasize the car's width," says Fedde Talsma.
The XC60 also benefits from an interior upgrade. The new features include new wood inlays, a new headliner, textile B-pillars and the silk metal frames around the air vents and light controls. The refined XC60 has a commanding driving position supported by generous ground clearance and the class-leading chassis. The XC60 is designed to feel every bit as nimble and agile as a standard sedan.
Corner Traction Control now comes as standard. This torque vectoring system helps the driver avoid understeer by applying just the right amount of brake force to the inner wheels while powering the outer wheels when accelerating out of a corner. With All Wheel Drive, the XC60 becomes an extremely capable vehicle on any road, in any kind of weather.
Enhancements across the new S60 and XC60 range
Sensus Connected Touch - connectivity on a new level
Sensus is the name Volvo uses for all its HMI (Human Machine Interface) functionality and the all-new Sensus Connected Touch is the latest addition.
It enables connectivity and Internet in the car and turns the 7-inch display into a state-of-the-art infrared, beam-scanned touch screen that can be used even when wearing gloves - a world first in cars and handy in winter! Connection is made either via a car-mounted 3G/4G dongle or the driver's mobile phone.
The user has access to full Internet browsing (except when driving), Internet streaming of music, Internet radio (TuneIn Radio) with thousands of channels from all over the world, on-line (Google) Map and Search, Embedded Connected 3D navigation with online traffic info, Free Parking locator, weather information, a number of native and web applications, App Store for new functions and updates as well as a Volvo retailer locator.
It is also possible to share a WiFi network with everyone in the car.
Adaptive Digital Display
The Adaptive Digital Display is now available in the new S60 and XC60. This active TFT (Thin Film Transistor) crystal display takes the interaction between car and driver to a new dimension, always displaying the most important information in any given situation.
The driver can choose between three graphic themes:
The Elegance theme offers a more traditional appearance.
The Eco theme features green background illumination, designed to create an environmentally inspired look. An Eco meter is displayed on the left. The current and accumulated fuel consumption figures are displayed - and the driver is rewarded with a green E light when eco-driving is optimal.
The Performance theme has red background illumination, creating a sporty atmosphere. In the center, a rev counter scale replaces the speedometer displayed in the Elegance and Eco versions. Vehicle speed is shown digitally in the center of the display. The right display includes a power meter - a gauge that informs the driver how much power is available and how much power is being used at any given moment in time.
Paddle shifters
The three-spoke steering wheels can now be accompanied with paddle shifters for all S60 models and XC60 T6. They turn the automatic box into a manual with the benefit of shifting gear with both hands on the wheel. The paddle shifters give the enthusiastic driver an additional edge, particularly when powering round twisty roads.
Quicker acceleration with Advanced Quick Shift
Advanced Quick Shift (AQS) is transmission optimization software that improves the speed of each gear change. This new feature is now available on all T6 engines and activated when the transmission is set to sport mode or when using paddle shifters. Gear changes are faster by as much as 50 percent between first and second, and as much as 30 percent on gear changes two through six.
This bolsters the sporty impression of the T6 and also produces fantastic acceleration results. Zero to 60 improves 0.2 seconds on the S60 T6 AWD - from 5.8 to 5.6 on model year 2014 with AQS - while the XC60 T6 AWD runs 0.4 seconds faster - 6.9 to 6.5 seconds on model year 2014 with AQS - compared to model year 2013.
Cornering Light for better visibility
Another innovative option for driving in the dark is the low-speed Cornering Light feature. As an extension of the current Active Bending Light system, it lights up the area the driver is steering towards for safer maneuvering - for instance, when turning into a small road or driving through a narrow gateway at night.
Heated windscreen and steering wheel
And for the added comfort of drivers in cold countries, the steering wheel can also be specified with heating for increased comfort on cold winter days.
Cars equipped with a rain sensor can now benefit from an electrically heated windscreen for rapid de-icing on cold winter days. The S60 and XC60 are also available with outer rear view mirrors with auto dim. Using chromatic glass, the mirrors automatically dim to avoid glare from other traffic, just like the inner rear view mirror.
IntelliSafe systems supporting the driver
IntelliSafe is Volvo's blanket name for all active safety systems, and Volvo's world-first City Safety technology plays an important part. Fitted as standard, this advanced safety system works at speeds of up to 31 mph. All models can also get Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake, which watches out for people walking into the car's path, as well as the new and groundbreaking Cyclist Detection with full auto brake, which detects and automatically brakes for cyclists swerving out in front of the car.
The S60 and XC60 can also be specified with the enhanced Blind Sport Information System (BLIS), which is now radar-based. The technology can also monitor and alert the driver to rapidly approaching vehicles behind the car, while still informing the driver about vehicles in the blind spots on both sides of the car.
Cross Traffic Alert is a new feature that uses the radar sensors at the rear end of the car to alert the driver to crossing traffic from the sides when reversing out of a parking space. This is especially helpful in tight and crowded areas where the side view may be restricted.
Road Sign Information supports the driver by displaying road signs on the instrument display.
"As the leader in automotive safety, we have reduced the risk of being involved in an accident or being injured in one of our latest car models by about 50 percent since the year 2000. By continuously introducing new preventive and protective systems, we keep moving toward our safety vision that nobody should die or suffer serious injuries in a new Volvo car by the year 2020," says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Car Group.