| First Drive | Hampshire, England | Volvo S60 R-Design |

Volvo's styling gurus have turned their hand to the S60 and developed a series of cosmetic upgrades dubbed the R-Design. The tweaks aren't just skin deep, though - they also include some chassis and interior upgrades.

In the Metal

Make no mistake - this is not a completely new car. The Volvo S60 R-Design is an upmarket styling and handling option for the existing model, but it's a good one. Exterior additions include a unique front bumper, a rear diffuser, chrome tailpipes and tasty 18-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels.

It sits lower, too, on 15mm shorter springs, which we'll get to later, along with the stiffer chassis. Half leather sports seats are the order of the day inside, as are blue dials, aluminium pedals and a new gear knob and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

What you get for your Money

The D5 model that we tested starts at £26,745 in its most basic, non-R-Design guise, while the cheapest D5 R-Design costs £29,350. Expect to pay £32,115 for the priciest D5 R-Design in top-spec Premium Geartronic guise.

More affordable petrol and D3 versions are available (as is a pricier, full-fat T6 petrol), but that's as good a comparison as any to give you an idea of what you're paying for. Of the manual D5 R-Design, expect a credible 53.3mpg and 139g/km of CO₂, which is rather good for a big saloon.

Driving it

Volvos always err on the side of comfort next to their contemporaries and, even with the R-Design upgrades, the S60 still does. Along with the shorter length, the springs are 15 percent stiffer than those of the standard car, while the rear suspension bushes are 20 percent stiffer. Volvo also claims to have improved rigidity at the rear sub frame with the addition of a strut brace.

The differences are noticeable, as the S60 is more poised and agile, while the surface of the road is more apparent in the cabin. That said, it's still a long way off more sporting rivals like the BMW 3 Series and the ride, while still comfortable, is a little jittery over rough roads.

Volvo's D5 engine is a strong performer. It's far from the quietest diesel on the market, but it's a big improvement on its uncouth predecessors and the new sound deadening is impressive. The 2.4-litre lump's 309lb.ft of torque is very apparent from the off, and the S60's 7.8-second 0-62mph time belies its size and fuel economy figures. The only real downside is the slightly unwieldy gear change - it's very 'soft', and drivers of a short to medium stature will find themselves pulling the lever back a very long way.

Worth Noting

In addition to the aforementioned R-Design additions, there's also a Convenience pack available. For £1,025, you can enjoy the benefits of auto-dimming rear-view mirrors, rain sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, automatic folding door mirrors, an upgraded stereo and Bluetooth.

Summary

With established rivals like the BMW 3 Series to beat, the Volvo is up against it, but if you want a car that trades on its good looks rather than pin sharp handling then the Volvo S60 is the answer.

It's also well built, cheap to run and is as safe as they come. The R-Design pack adds an extra dose of individuality and sharpens the S60's svelte exterior lines even further, so it's a welcome addition.