Volvo Prepares S60 Sports Saloon for London Motor Show

Motoring Channel Staff - 28/June/2006

Trollhättan, Sweden — As the British International Motor Show (BIMS) creeps closer (20th to the 30th July), more and more new product is being unveiled by many of the world's biggest automotive groups, one of which is Volvo, the Swedish car maker that once used to be the butt of many driving jokes.

Recently however, Volvo's reputation has changed dramatically. No longer the vehicle of choice for retirees and ultra-conservative drivers, the Volvo brand has been working hard in recent years to make itself a relevant choice for younger buyers with models such as the S40 and V50, while retaining its reputation as safe marque.

And soon, with the global launch of the stylish new S60 in London, the Swedish car maker will have another tool which it hopes will change the ingrained views of car buyers.

All together, Volvo has indicated that it exhibit the new S80 large luxury saloon, a "stylish new XC90 variant" plus the 6- and 8-cylinder versions of the large SUV, the C30 Design Concept, the new C70 coupe convertible and the show stopper will be the new S60 luxury sedan.

In the same category as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, Volvo's new S60 has a lot of work to do if it's to eat into their considerable world-wide market shares, yet Volvo believes its new sports saloon will be greeted with mild (but positive) surprise.

Volvo explains that the exterior has come in for subtle refinements, consisting of new door mirrors with integrated turn indicators, a larger grille, a range of new alloy wheels and lower front spoiler that adds a considerably sporty edge to what was a conservative looking vehicle. 

It has seen how well BMW's radically styled 5 Series has performed, and decided to take a few risks with the design, which will be unveiled at the BIMS. The Swedish car maker also says that revised chassis settings and interior enhancements make the 2007 model Volvo S60 more luxurious and fun to drive. New trim levels for the S60 include the SE Sport, which will be featured on the Volvo stand at the BIMS with its new Imola sports leather upholstery, and a plush SE Lux model, which - hence the name - adds a bit more luxury. 

Revisions across the range include satin chrome inlays on various points across the dashboard and steering wheel and what it the automaker terms a 'grid-aluminium' inlay for the doors and dashboard. The full 2007 model range for the Volvo S60 includes the S, Sport, SE, SE Sport and SE Lux trim levels, and the high performance R version has been retained, giving the line-up a powerful flagship model.

The largest saloon in the Volvo range, the  S80, will also makes it's UK debut. We covered the car in this article, mentioning that the car is easily one of Volvo's best looking models to date, and now with its revised middle sibling, the new 2007 model S60, the two variants present a much sharper and contemporary image for the Scandinavian marque. Two S80 engine types will be shown at the BIMS, with new 3.2-litre inline 6-cylinder engine the entry-level model. It makes 175kW (238PS) and 320Nm of torque, while the larger V8 produces 231kW (315PS) and 440Nm of torque.

The safety features of the dynamic S80 also include adaptive cruise control (ACC) with collision warning (CW) and brake support (the S80 is the first Volvo model to get the adaptive cruise control feature). The ACC automatically maintains a selected distance to the vehicle in front by using radar system to gauge the distance between vehicles, and when not being used and the gap to the vehicle in front closes so fast that a collision is likely, the system alerts the driver by activating a buzzer and warning lights. At the same time, the braking system is prepped for optimum pressure, increasing the chances of avoiding a crash.

Another vehicle that will feature prominently on the Volvo stand for the UK's biggest motor show, and not just because it's physically dominant, is the 2007 model XC90, or the Scandinavian BMW X5 as some call it. Volvo explains that its luxury SUV gets a revised exterior, whose major revisions include changes to the headlights, brake lights, and larger wheel arch extensions, and enhanced interior luxury will also accompany the new 2007 model XC90. More refinement is planned with the addition of a new SE Lux trim level, and some markets will get their first taste of Volvo's new 3.2-litre inline 6-cylinder and 4.4-litre V8 petrol engines.

Of the interior enhancements to the '07 model XC90, Volvo explains that trim and specifications include new materials and upholstery (including Sovereign Hide soft leather), audio systems with i-Pod connectivity and MP3/WMA format compatibility, an upgraded satellite navigation system and the option of a powerful 650W premium sound audio system with Dynaudio speakers. Cryptically, Volvo also talks about "stylish new XC90 variant" that will make its world debut at the motor show. We'll keep you posted on that one.

Volvo will exhibit a concept car at the BIMS as well, called the C30 Design Concept. This interesting concept was first seen at the Detroit motor show in January 2006, and, claims Volvo, generated massive media and public excitement. With 2-doors, four individual seats and a glass tailgate, the C30 Design Concept draws on Volvo's design heritage of sporty coupes such as the P1800ES, 480ES and most recently the stylish SCC and 3CC concept cars. The design is a sneak preview of the exterior design of the sporty new Volvo C30, a compact hatchback to rival the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3. The Swedish company says that the forthcoming 2-door Volvo has already had over 18,000 enquiries already in the UK alone, boding well for the production launch, which will take place at the Paris Motor Show in September, 2006.

Another big ticket item at the BIMS, says Volvo, will be one of the most glamorous new cars launched this year, the all-new C70 - yet more ammunition to sway public opinion away from Volvo's "old-man" image. With a three piece retractable metal roof that converts, at the touch of a button, from a stylish coupé into a cool convertible in less than 30 seconds, the Volvo C70 will be sold with three powerful 5-cylinder engines – two petrol (2.4i, 125kW and T5, 162kW) and one diesel (D5, 132kW).

In addition to all the new sheet-metal on display at the British International Motor Show (BIMS), Volvo is also taking part in the motor show cavalcade through London on Sunday 16th July with a classic Volvo P1800, an all-new Volvo C70 coupe/convertible and an XC90 on parade. Worth checking out if you're in the UK during that weekend, as there'll be lots of brand new and classic cars on public display.