2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD - Four Seasons Introduction
By Amy Skogstrom
Photography by Matt Tierney
The 2011 Volvo S60 was one of the biggest surprises during Automobile Magazine's annual All-Stars testing last fall. Long overshadowed and outclassed in the mid-size luxury sedan category by the likes of the BMW 5-series, the Audi A6, and the Mercedes E-class, the S60 staked a claim for itself as a "sensible" alternative to its European competitors -- it was less expensive, less accomplished, and, quite frankly, less desirable. But the long-awaited second-generation S60 changed our perceptions so completely with its refinement and handling capabilities that we not only named it a 2011 All-Star, we decided to subject it to the ultimate shakedown, a Four Seasons test.
For 2012, the S60 is available as either a front-wheel-drive T5 or an all-wheel-drive T6. We opted for the T6 and its 300-hp turbocharged in-line six mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (the same configuration as the car we put through its paces during our All-Stars tests). The T6 comes standard with the so-called "dynamic" chassis, which is tuned more for control and agility than for comfort. We opted to forgo Volvo's optional FOUR-C (continuously controlled chassis concept) active chassis and its three available settings -- comfort, sport, and advanced -- a choice we hope we don't come to regret after spending a year on the notoriously bumpy roads found here in the industrial Midwest.
The standard equipment list on the S60 is quite comprehensive (including items such as leather upholstery, satellite radio, sport seats, a seven-inch monitor, dual-zone climate control, and Bluetooth), and we likely could have forgone every available option and heard few complaints. But we're hedonists at heart, so we ordered up about $6000 worth of extras. First up, a multimedia package with a premium sound system, a rear-view camera, and a navigation system, which came to $2,700. Because of our icy winters, we are loath to do without a climate package, so we checked that box ($800 that included heated front seats and heated windshield washer nozzles, among other amenities). The premium package ($1,500) adds a power moonroof, a power front passenger's seat, and active xenon headlights, and another $550 brings PCC, Volvo's personal car communicator that uses keyless technology to capture security information. Last but not least, we spent an extra $675 for premium electric silver paint. Even with the options, the S60 prices out to a comparatively reasonable $44,800.
Because it's a Volvo, the S60 comes with a plethora of standard electronic safety features, including traction and stability control and City Safety, which uses a sensor to determine whether a collision is imminent and automatically applies the brakes. We've already unwittingly tested the system, which was triggered when the car was leaving the parking structure and rolled up too close to the arm of the parking gate. It proved to be quite jarring, but very effective.
With the summer vacation season rapidly approaching, we expect the S60 to rack up the miles during the next several months. We'll keep you posted on the comings and goings of our newest Four Seasons stablemate.
2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD
Base price (with dest.): $38,575
As tested: $44,800
OVERVIEW
Body style: 4-door sedan
Accommodation: 5 passenger
Construction: Unibody construction
POWERTRAIN
Engine: 24-valve DOHC turbocharged in-line 6
Displacement: 3.0 liters (2953 cu in)
Power: 300 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 325 lb-ft @ 2100-4200 rpm
Transmission type: 6-speed automatic
Drive: Four-wheel
EPA Fuel Economy: 18/26/21 (city/hwy/combined)
CHASSIS
Steering: Variable power assisted
Lock-to-lock: 2.6
Turning circle: 39.0 ft
Suspension, front: Strut-type, coil springs
Suspension, rear: Multilink, coil springs
Brakes f/r: Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes; ABS
Wheels: 18-inch aluminum
Tires: Continental ContiProContact
Tire size: 235/40R-18 95V
MEASUREMENTS
Headroom f/r: 37.6/37.4 in
Legroom f/r: 41.9/33.5 in
Shoulder room f/r: 57.0/55.2 in
Wheelbase: 109.3 in
Track f/r: 62.1/62.0 in
L x W x H: 182.2 x 73.4 x 58.4 in
Passenger volume: 92.0 cu ft
Cargo capacity: 12.0 cu ft
Weight: 3812 lb
Fuel capacity: 17.8 gal
Est. fuel range: N/A miles
Fuel grade: 87 octane (regular unleaded)
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Turbocharged 3.0L DOHC I-6 engine
6-speed automatic transmission
All-wheel drive
Dynamic chassis
Advanced stability control
Corner traction control w/ torque vectoring
Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC) w/ sport mode
Electronic brake force distribution (EBD)
4-wheel Antilock Braking (ABS)
City Safety
Front, side, and side curtain air bags
Whiplash protection system (WHIPS)
Dual ISO-FIX attachment system
Intelligent driver information system (IDIS)
Child safety locks
Emergency trunk release
Rear foglight
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Leather seating surfaces
Sport seats, front and rear
Eight-way power driver's seat
Leather sport tilt and telescoping steering wheel
Dual-zone electronic climate control
Bluetooth
60/40 folding rear seat w/ center pass-thru
Auto-dimming rearview mirror w/ compass
Keyless entry
Power folding rear-seat headrests
Electric parking brake
Electronic ignition w/ pushbutton start and stop
Cruise control
Heated power sideview mirrors w/ remote memory
Illuminated steering wheel controls
Sirius satellite radio with 6-month complimentary subscription
HD radio
USB and Aux inputs
OPTIONS
Multimedia package (Volvo premium sound system with Dolby Pro Logic II SurroundSound, 650 watt, and 12 premium loudspeakers; rear park assist camera; navigation system with real-time traffic voice control), $2,700
Premium Package and Climate Package (power glass moonroof, power passenger seat, xenon headlights with active bending light, heated front seats, headlight washers, heated windshield washer nozzles, rain sensor, interior air quality system), $2,300
Electric silver metallic paint, $675
Personal car communicator w/ keyless drive and two-way car communication, $550
Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)
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