Model Overview: 2014 Volvo S60

Model Overview: 2014 Volvo S60

 

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

S60 T5: $32,400

S60 T5 Premier: $34,900

S60 T5 Premier Plus: $35,550

S60 T5 Platinum: $38,250

S60 T6 AWD: $39,250

S60 T6 AWD Premier Plus: $39,900

S60 T6 AWD Platinum: $42,600

S60 T6 AWD R-Design: $42,700

S60 T6 AWD R-Design Platinum: $45,700

Destination: $915

 

As part of the largest refresh in Volvo history, the S60 receives significant changes for 2014 including dramatic new front styling that accelerates its sporty character, interior upgrades that make it even more rewarding and comfortable to drive, newly available leading-edge safety technologies and a wide spectrum of equipment enhancements that make it an even stronger value. 

 

Dynamic New Design Captures Attention

The front of the S60 has been redesigned sporting all-new exterior panels from the A-pillars forward including a new hood, front fenders and fascia. A wider grille with a larger Ironmark is flanked by new headlights while a larger, wider lower front intake gains bright accents and horizontally mounted LED daytime running lights. At the rear, new LED light guides on the taillights and new integrated exhaust pipes contribute to the more powerful road presence and self-confident stance.

 

Scandinavian design is exemplified by beautiful, simple shapes and surfaces with any unnecessary clutter removed. This is evident in the redesigned exterior and interior of the S60. Inside, the attention to detail, the authentic materials, such as wood and leather, and the easy to use controls contributes to the in-command driving experience.

 

Shift Priorities Whenever the Urge Strikes

In keeping with its character as the sportiest and most dynamic Volvo ever, the S60 is the first Volvo carline to receive paddle shifters. Standard on T6 AWD and R-Design models and available on T5, paddle shifters let the driver shift manually with both hands on the steering wheel. All models also receive a new shift knob for the floor shifter with piano black background and illuminated symbols for increased visibility in low light.

 

New Advanced Quick Shift is designed to increase the S60's performance potential. When Sport Mode is selected or when using paddle shifters on T6 AWD and R-Design, new software mapping improves gear change speed by 20-30 percent on third to sixth gears and up to 50 percent faster from first to second gear. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph drops by 0.2 seconds to 5.5 seconds for T6 AWD and 5.3 seconds for T6 R-Design.

 

Outstanding Comfort and Convenience

All-new instrument clusters help the driver stay informed of the S60's dynamic capabilities. The base T5 receives a contemporary analog cluster. A new adaptive digital display is standard on T5 Premier, Premier Plus and Platinum trim levels plus all T6 AWD and R-Design models. The easy-to-read Thin Film Transistor (TFT) design allows drivers to select from three different themes:

• Elegance has a traditional appearance with a large, circular speedometer bordered by secondary displays.
• Eco features green background illumination with an Eco meter displayed on the left.
• Performance has red background illumination for a more dynamic look. A tachometer replaces the speedometer while vehicle speed is shown digitally. The right display includes a power meter gauge that informs the driver how much power is available and how much is being used at any given moment.

Volvo's long-standing tradition for providing supportive and comfortable seats to help reduce fatigue on long drives continues for 2014 with new design sport seats, standard on T6 AWD and available on T5 with the optional Sport Package. As the perfect addition to the in-command feel of a true driver's car, these seats provide added side support from the thighs to the shoulders to help keep the driver firmly in position in quick corners.

 

Detail changes that enhance the S60's cabin ambience include new cloth-covered B-pillars, metal trim around air vents, a silver décor frame for the headlight module, a Quartz headliner, white illumination in buttons replacing green and new front door sill plates.

 

New standard features for the S60 T5 base model include 17-inch Pandora alloy wheels. The Premier trim level gains 17-inch Sadia alloys, bright side window trim and adaptive digital TFT display. Premier Plus receives a rear park assist camera, grocery bag holder in the trunk and a quick-fold front passenger seat. Power-retracting, auto-dimming outside mirrors and cabin accent lighting are now included on the Platinum trim. A new optional 18-inch Sport Package for T5 features sport seats, paddle shifters, 18-inch Titania alloy wheels and Dynamic Chassis.

 

Performance and Technology

The S60 T5's standard 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine delivers an excellent balance of performance and economy with 250 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque. Volvo's All-Wheel Drive with Instant Traction is optional. Providing the best possible grip in all situations - on wet, slippery or completely dry roads - All-Wheel Drive with Instant Traction can be added to any S60 T5 as a stand-alone $2,000 option.

 

All S60s can be enhanced with high-tech features via the Platinum trim level. This includes the Volvo Premium Sound System with Dolby® Pro Logic® II Surround Sound, 12 premium speakers and 650 watts. Also included is a Navigation System with Real Time Traffic and Map Care plus a rear park assist camera.

 

Customers have the flexibility to add option packages to any S60, as well as select individual items from a list of stand-alone options. New individual options include heated front seats, an accessory prep cable, active dual xenon headlights (standard on R-Design) and 19-inch Bor diamond-cut alloy wheels including a lowered Sport Chassis for the T6 AWD.

 

Newly available on all S60s is the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) Package. This package includes BLIS, front and rear park assist, and new Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) and Lane Change Merge Aid (LCMA). The system is based on radar technology installed behind the rear wheels and will detect traffic from a longer distance than the previous BLIS system. This advanced technology has a much larger detection area proving the capability of informing the driver of rapidly approaching vehicles. LCMA utilizes two levels of LED lights mounted in the A-pillar. While CTA uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to monitor traffic when backing out of a parking space, warning the driver of approaching traffic via a visual alert and audio signal.

 

The Technology Package is available on the S60. Among its features, Cyclist Detection has been added to Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake. Active High Beam automatically switches the headlights to low beam when opposite traffic is detected. Road Sign Information (RSI) displays traffic speed signs for the driver on the instrument cluster based on the Forward Looking Camera (FLC). The package also includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Queue Assist, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake (CWAB), Distance Alert (DA), Driver Alert Control (DAC) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

 

Enthusiasts recognize the T6 R-Design as the ultimate performance S60. With the most powerful six-cylinder currently offered by Volvo, the R-Design's 3.0-liter turbocharged engine puts out a remarkable 325 horsepower and a stout 354 lb.-ft. of torque. Compared to the T6 AWD, the R-Design's engine generates 25 more horsepower and 29 lb.-ft. additional torque. Like the S60 T6 AWD, the R-Design is fitted with standard All-Wheel Drive with Instant Traction plus Corner Traction Control with torque vectoring. The S60 T6 AWD continues to be equipped with the same 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine employed in the R-Design. Performance-minded drivers will enjoy the T6 AWD's 300 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque with maximum torque achieved from 2,100 rpm and available throughout the rev range. R-Design's standard Sport Chassis continues to take it to the next level of performance. Volvo's chassis team fitted a strut brace under the hood that links the suspension strut towers. This is a classic method of stiffening up the body structure and to improve steering response. At the rear, the R-Design features monotube dampers. Unlike the twin-tube dampers used in the S60 T6 AWD, the monotube system features compression and return damping via the same valve. This gives shorter, faster fluid flow, which in turn means the damper responds more quickly. The R-Design's front springs are shortened by 15mm to give it more visual attitude. Spring stiffness is 15 percent higher compared to the Dynamic Chassis in the T6 AWD. Rear damper attachment bushings are 20 percent stiffer compared with the T6 AWD. The front tie-blade bushing, or the attachment to the rear of the car, is a massive 400 percent stiffer to counteract wheel bouncing and shaking. On the outside, the S60 R-Design's sporty stance is enhanced with color-matched body components, details in matte finish and a hexagonal pattern that is repeated both front and rear. Incorporated within a sporty rear exhaust baffle are distinctive 3 1/2-inch twin exhaust pipes. Unique R-Design 18-inch Ixion alloy wheels emphasize the sporty appeal. Larger 19-inch Ixion II alloys with performance summer tires are optional. Inside the R-Design, the driver and front passenger sit in sport seats in which the highly supportive backrest is matched with a unique seat cushion with deeper side bolsters. The exclusive standard upholstery is Off-Black leather with contrasting stitching and sport-oriented texture accents with embossed R-Design logo across the front-seat backrests. The interior also features an R-Design sport steering wheel, gear selector, sport pedals, floor mats and adaptive digital display with R-Design graphics.

Driving dynamics have been fine-tuned for the S60 T5 and T6 AWD. The Dynamic Chassis, standard on the T6 AWD, places the focus on optimizing control and agility. The T5 comes with a Touring Chassis that delivers an exciting ride with a priority on comfort. The major difference between the two is in the dampers and the front and rear subframes. Both offer exceptional ride and handling qualities, yet the Touring Chassis has been tuned to provide a smoother ride on poor road surfaces. All S60s are equipped with Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) as part of a suite of electronic systems to help optimize handling and control. Advanced Stability Control uses a roll angle sensor to detect and react to oversteer and understeer at an earlier stage. These situations may occur if the driver suddenly releases the accelerator while steering, such as when leaving a highway slightly too late. It also improves handling in evasive maneuvers. DSTC includes a sport mode setting to allow controlled wheel slip for performance driving. Corner Traction Control by Torque Vectoring is another technology to help improve handling by redistributing torque to the outer wheel to help "steer" the car around a turn. This feature operates on the front wheels for the S60 T5 and both the front and rear wheels for the S60 T6 AWD and R-Design plus the T5 when equipped with optional AWD. Enthusiast drivers will immediately notice a significant reduction in understeer as the system seamlessly applies the appropriate amount of power to the outside tire(s).

Advancing the Fine Art of Safety

The S60 represents the latest chapter in Volvo's pioneering and industry leading safety systems. Among its accolades, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recognized S60 with its newest and highest rating for 2013, the Top Safety Pick+ award. IIHS created this award to recognize good or acceptable performance in the new small overlap collision test. The S60 received the top good rating for this test.

 

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on performance in moderate overlap frontal crash, small overlap frontal crash, side impact and rollover, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. Top Safety Pick+ winners must earn good ratings for occupant protection in at least four of five evaluations, with no less than acceptable in the fifth test.

 

In addition, the S60 received the highest possible 5-Star Overall safety rating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash testing. As part of NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the Overall rating combines individual 5-Star ratings for separate frontal, side impact and rollover tests.

The S60's standard safety systems include City Safety, a world-first technology that made its debut on the Volvo XC60. City Safety is a driver support system aimed at preventing or mitigating collisions with a vehicle ahead occurring at speeds of 31 mph or less. It utilizes a closing velocity sensor to help determine whether a collision is likely. Depending on the closing speed, City Safety will either pre-charge the brakes or automatically brake the S60 to help avoid a rear-end collision or lessen its impact.

 

Driver Support and Infotainment Systems

All S60s are fitted with the Volvo Sensus system. Sensus manages information from the audio unit, navigation system (if equipped) and other functions, displaying them onto a seven-inch high-definition color monitor in the upper part of the center console. It allows the driver to explore the high-tech features of the car and personalize them to suit his or her needs.

 

A standard high-performance audio system includes a CD player, HD Radio, AUX and USB inputs, MP3 capability, 160-watt amplifier and eight speakers. Also included is Bluetooth hands-free phone interface with audio streaming and Sirius Satellite Radio with a complimentary six-month subscription.

 

The S60 is one of few cars in the world to use Audyssey Laboratories' MultiEQ technology, the standard for room equalization in the home and professional theater markets, like IMAX. Included with the Premium Sound System, MultiEQ removes distortion caused by the cabin's acoustics enabling crisp, clear sound with improved soundstage effects for everyone in the car.

 

New Sensus Connected Touch, available as an accessory, connects the car to the Internet and enables drivers and passengers to use various embedded applications that will enhance the driving experience - all through a touchscreen solution. The user has access to full Internet browsing (except when driving), Internet music streaming and Internet radio, Google maps, integrated navigation and an app store for new function upgrades.

 

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2013 Safety Awards:

- Earned 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration

- Top Safety Pick honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

- Top Safety Pick + honor from IIHS for performance in the new Small Overlap Test