Volvo is drumming up interest in its all-new S60 far in advance of the car's official unveiling at the
Geneva motorshow next March. These first official images show the new S60 is very close in execution to the S60 Concept shown at the
Detroit Show this year.
The new showroom-ready S60 retains the Concept's sweeping roof line and Volvo says the design "has been sculpted to move you". This more dynamic shape will be backed up by a more sporting drive, which Volvo tells us is what its customers want. Insiders also say the new S60 will be a much more direct rival to the
BMW 3 Series and
Audi A4 in the way it drives and the appeal of its interior, which is also said to be closely based on the Concept's cabin.
No official word on engines as yet, but a DRIVe model will be part of the line-up to provide company car drivers with a strong incentive to choose the S60 for its low emissions and high economy. The new S60 is based on the
Ford Mondeo's platform, so it's likely the engines will be a mix of four- and five-cylinder petrol and diesel units in keeping with the current S60 range.
Volvo will fit the all-new S60 with its Pedestrian Detection system as a world first. This safety feature senses any people in front of the car and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not react. Volvo says this is a groundbreaking feature and can potentially reduce the injuries suffered by pedestrians in the event of a collision.
The new Volvo S60 will be unveiled at the
Geneva Motor Show in March and sales will begin in June 2010. An estate version is expected to follow in 2011.
Alisdair Suttie - 10 Nov 2009