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First Drive: Volvo V60 DRIVe R-Design. Image by Volvo.

First Drive: Volvo V60 DRIVe R-Design
Volvo's V60 gets the DRIVe treatment, bringing serious economy to an impressive all-rounder.

   



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| First Drive | Austria, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, England | Volvo V60 DRIVe |

Overall rating: 4 4 4 4 4

Apparently you can drive a Volvo V60 DRIVe from Austria to the UK on one tank such is its economy. Where's the fun in that though? We used an extra half tank and enjoyed it on Germany's autobahns.

Key Facts

Pricing: £27,275
Engine: 1.6-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door estate
Rivals: BMW 318d, VW Passat 1.6 TDI BlueMotion, Saab 9-3 Sportwagon SE 1.9 TTiD
CO2 emissions: 119g/km
Combined economy: 62.8mpg
Top speed: 135mph
0-62mph: 10.7 seconds
Power: 113bhp
Torque: 199lb.ft

In the Metal: 4 4 4 4 4

When equipped with an R-Design package, you could park your V60 DRIVe in the company car park and convince colleagues that it's a T5 or T6 range-topper. It's a good looking car the Volvo V60, and the R-Design package gives it a sporting edge. Certainly, badge aside, you'd never know this was Volvo's most economical V60.

The interior is as classy and comfortable as we've come to expect from Volvo, the seats offering great comfort and support. There aren't masses of space though; indeed for a Volvo estate the boot's quite small with a capacity of just 557 litres. Feeling well built and easy to use, it's a decent driving environment, if not a generously proportioned one.

Driving it: 3 3 3 3 3

The smart R-Design package might bring good looks to the DRIVe, but it compromises the ride quality a bit. On a car that'll be bought first and foremost on CO2 emissions - and likely to be driven with economy rather than sporting prowess in mind - the regular DRIVe might better suit the target audience better. Alternatively, if you're a thrusting young exec with a company car policy that demands frugality then you might just put up with the firm suspension for the looks.

The steering is nicely weighted, and the six-speed manual gearbox shifts neatly. It's not as involving as a BMW to drive, but the Bavarian isn't as comfortable as the Swede. Engine refinement is good, though we'd love a regular parking brake over the electronic one - not least because its position low in the dashboard requires a stretch.

The 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine only offers 113bhp, but it's adequate for everyday driving. It lacks punch when cruising, though that's due to gear ratios chosen for economy. We did spend a good deal of time with it at its 118mph maximum on some uncharacteristically traffic-free German autobahns. That it still achieved a credible 40mpg (given a 79mph average speed over 830 miles) underlines that the DRIVe model really can deliver excellent economy - even with a fool in a hurry driving it. Drive sensibly and you'll easily add 20mpg to that; drive like a saint and the official 65.7mpg figure should be easily achievable.

What you get for your Money: 4 4 4 4 4

Besides its excellent economy and 119g/km emissions the V60 DRIVe comes reasonably well specified. Safety naturally features high on the spec agenda, with Volvo's City Safety, stability and traction control and more airbags than an undersea salvage team all included. Climate control, a decent stereo with iPod integration and R-Design Sports seats create a fine driving environment, too.

Worth Noting

Own a DRIVe Volvo V60 and you'll not pay road tax for the first twelve months of ownership. Emissions of 119g/km are impressive for a car of this size and performance, that assisted by the quick stop-start system that comes as standard.

Summary

Looking for an executive car that's decent to drive and won't punish you on tax or at the pumps? The Volvo V60 DRIVe could just fill the brief. It's not exciting, but hugely capable, and if you can live with the slightly firmer ride of the R-Design package you can drive a credible economy car without anyone realising.


Kyle Fortune - 14 Apr 2011



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2011 Volvo V60 R-Design. Image by Volvo.
 

2011 Volvo V60 R-Design. Image by Volvo.
 

2011 Volvo V60 R-Design. Image by Volvo.
 

2011 Volvo V60 R-Design. Image by Volvo.
 

2011 Volvo V60 R-Design. Image by Volvo.
 

2011 Volvo V60 R-Design. Image by Volvo.
 






 

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