Volvo has aggressively priced the new S60, putting it right in line with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but with higher equipment levels.

ES spec kicks off the range, which, with a 161bhp D3 2.0-litre diesel costs £23,295. More power in that specification and you're looking at £25,995 for a 202bhp D5 diesel. ES cars come with climate and cruise control, a five-inch colour info screen, alloy wheels and leather for the driver contact points, all as standard.

SE spec adds vinyl upholstery, aluminium trim, posh dials, power door mirrors, a better stereo, Bluetooth, rear parking sensors and17-inch alloy wheels. Finally, SE Lux, which starts at £27,095 for the D3 version, adds electric leather-faced seats, 'active bending' lights and headlamp washers.

Providing a flagship for the 'four-door coupe' - because being a saloon is so 2009 - is a 300bhp six-cylinder 3.0-litre petrol-badged T6. That gets to 62mph in just 6.5 seconds. Only available with a Geartronic auto 'box, that costs £35,695 in SE spec or £1,050 more in SE Lux trim.

All versions of the S60 get Volvo's City Safety system that debuted on the XC60 and applies the brakes automatically if it detects an imminent collision below 19mph. Pedestrian detection with automatic braking is an option too, which uses a camera to track errant pedestrians daft enough to step out in front of the car. It'll first warn you of the danger before hitting the brakes itself if you're too slow.

The S60 is available to order now, with first deliveries in July.

Mark Nichol - 13 Apr 2010