VOLVO S60 2.5T
Volvos S60 2.5T Represents A Potent Threat To The Compact Executive Elite. Andy Enright Reports
Whats the going output for a decently powerful compact executive car these days? 190bhp seems a good estimate, being the figure boasted by the benchmark
BMW 325i. Of course, more is always better and you could fork out over £26,000 for the
Audi A4 3.0-litre, not such a big step from the £25,000 BMW but still a lot of lolly. Fortunately a credible alternative exists.
Realising that in this corner of the market power often has a direct correlation with sales,
Volvo ditched the 200bhp 2.4-litre S60 model and ratcheted the pressure up with this 210bhp 2.5-litre turbocharged car. Priced aggressively from £22,433 with a recent package of upgrades in tow, it poses serious questions for its German rivals.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
|
| Depreciation |
 |
| Economy |
 |
| Equipment |
 |
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
Lets put this into perspective. For the price of the 210bhp S60 2.5T S, you would find yourself able to afford 170bhp worth of
Audi A4 2.4 Sport or 143bhp worth of Mercedes C180K Classic SE.
Lets cast the net a little wider. You could be behind the wheel of 155bhp worth of
Jaguar X-Type 2.0S or 175bhp worth of
Saab 9-3 2.0t Vector.
Ever more desperate attempts to find a viable rival with more power per pound than the
Volvo draw blanks with the Alfa 156 and the
Honda Accord. Only Renaults Laguna V6 can match it for power but this is a car with medium range family car foundations rather than a true compact executive. The 2.5-litre engine takes a big step forward in performance terms over its 2.
4-litre predecessor. Although a 10bhp power hike sounds rather insignificant when dealing with this amount of horsepower, the 0-60 time has tumbled from 7.4 seconds to 6.8 seconds, putting the Volvo in the premier league of sprinters.
The best part of the deal is that the emissions showing of 220g/km and the combined fuel economy figure of 30.7mpg remain unchanged. Although having your smorgasbord and eating it may seem appealing, Volvo have only tacked a couple of hundred pounds onto the price, keeping the S60 2.5T comparatively affordable.
Three versions are offered; the S entry-level version at £22,433, the sporty Sport at £24,283 and the more luxurious SE trim which weighs in at £24,933. Of course, motoring purists will say that in likening a Volvo to a
BMW, eggs are not being compared with eggs. Whereas the BMW offers rear wheel drive and a normally aspirated engine, the Swedish car resorts to turbocharging and deploys its power through the front wheels, suggesting that corners are being cut in an attempt to gain a cheap advantage. Indeed, drive the cars at ten-tenths and you may come away with the impression that BMW builds a superior product.
Unfortunately, driving in this manner on the public highway will also mean waving goodbye to your licence and few would plump for a BMW 318i as their ideal trackday weapon. In the areas that really matter such as overtaking a caravan, pulling into traffic from a slip road or using the accelerator to avoid the usual
mini roundabout maniac, the Volvos additional urge over a comparatively priced BMW 3 Series will have most drivers plumping for the S60 every time.
"The 10bhp power hike elevates the Volvo to the premier league of sprinters"
This is one of the new generation of low pressure turbocharged engines with a 20-valve head. Pretty much all its urge is on offer from as low as 2,400rpm right up to 5,200rpm. Which means that you dont have to keep swapping down the gearbox in town, nor is it always necessary to change down a cog to overtake on the open road. Like all S60 models, this 2.
5T gets Volvos STC Stability and Traction Control system, plus theres the (sadly optional) DSTC active anti-skid programme: enter a corner too fast and it automatically cuts in, reducing the throttle and selectively applying the brakes. Of course, as youd expect, this car is as safe and solid as ever - though the associated weight has not, for once, compromised its sporting pretensions. And dont bother asking about an estate: there wont be one. The key modifications most will notice on the latest S60 include a more streamlined bumper and grille set with clear rear lights being fitted to all models. The old wiper system for the front lights has been replaced by a high pressure jetwash instead and the light lenses themselves are a lightweight plastic that offers better resistance to stone chipping. Volvos second-generation Four-C system is available for the first time as an option on the S60.
This system enables drivers to choose from Comfort and Sport settings with resultant changes to the suspension and steering feel. Given that the S40 and V50 models have raised the bar regarding Volvo interior design, the S60 has had to up its game. A passenger airbag cut-off switch has been fitted in response to customers looking to carry child seats up front and theres another Volvo safety innovation that will doubtless find its way into many other rival cars. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) acts much like an extra set of eyes and utilizes digital camera technology mounted in the door mirrors to monitor the areas 3m to each side and up to 9.
5m behind the driver. If a vehicle enters this area, a symbol appears on the windscreen pillar near the rear view mirror to indicate that somethings there when you take a quick look towards the mirror. Active at speeds above 10km/h, this system isnt the only safety benefit buyers of the latest S60 enjoy. Special water repellent glass is fitted to the mirrors and side windows.
Water beads up on the glass and the airstream quickly clears it, leaving unimpeded visibility. The Volvo S60 is a car that has gradually gained favour with a growing number of compact executive customers and its even better in its latest form. Its not flashy and it doesnt need the big sell. The 2.
5T models talk quietly but carry a big stick and give the establishment a severe headache. If power corrupts, consider me thoroughly corrupted.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volvo S60 2.5T
PRICES: £22,433-£24,933 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 220g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 6.8s / Max Speed 146mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 30.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and passenger front and side airbags, inflatable curtain, ABS, STC
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length/width/height) 4576/1804/1428mm
<< Back to Volvo car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Volvo Cars For Sale UK
