Volvo’s fuel-sipping 1.6-liter, turbocharged S60

THE VOLVO 2011 S60 1.6L T4: Class-leading fuel efficiency

Since being “green” is in these days, auto manufacturers are in a downsizing mode—developing smaller displacement engines that consume less fuel but nonetheless pack more power due to direct injection and turbo.  Volvo, world-famous for producing cars with cutting-edge safety but not fuel economy or exciting driving characteristics, has joined the “more power, less fuel” bandwagon to change the prevailing perception that its products are dull and boring.

On March 2, 2010, Volvo rolled out the 2011 S60 1.6L T4 for its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. The latest addition to Volvo’s S60 lineup, the 1.6-liter, 4 cylinder turbocharged premium compact sedan is positioned to grab market share from the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4.

The Swedish carmaker touts the 1.6 T4 as the most dynamic, naughtiest car it has ever produced. Completely redesigned, the 2011 S60 looks sleeker and sportier than its predecessor with a sloping, coupé-like roofline, swept-back headlamps, sculpted bumper air intakes, C-pillars that flow down to the tail lights, 17-inch alloy wheels pushed to the corners of the car, curving, semi-vertical combination tail light clusters, twin exhaust pipes and a diffuser-style rear bumper. There is a hint of attitude in the exterior styling and the coiled stance, but not too aggressive or too macho for a Volvo.

Delivers

Its petrol engine is only 1.6 liters in size, yet it delivers 180 hp at 5,700 rpm and 240 Newton meters max torque from 1,600 to 5,000 rpm because of the turbo. That torque can be increased in spurts to 270 Nm by an overboost function. Top speed is claimed to be 225 kph and the zero to 100 kph sprint, 9 seconds.

Those performance figures may not be as impressive as some German rivals’, but the Volvo has something they don’t have: class-leading fuel efficiency. The 1.6 T4 with 6-speed automatic Powershift transmission reportedly runs 18.2 km per liter of gas in combined city and highway driving. For a luxury vehicle, such fuel frugality is definitely desirable given the endlessly volatile pump prices and the global trend toward energy conservation.

On top of this, the S60 1.6 T4 is fitted with Volvo’s newest safety advances such as Advanced Stability Control with a new roll angle sensor that identifies any skidding tendency at a very early stage and Corner Traction Control that uses torque vectoring for smoother, tighter cornering with less tendency to understeer. These are in addition to 19 other active and passive safety features—too many to be mentioned here—as standard equipment. Along with its effort to project a new, more exciting image, Volvo continues to uphold and update its traditional leadership in automotive safety technology. Volvo hasn’t abandoned safety as a core value like the way it shed its boxy design language of old.

Ride quality

Since a premium brand like Volvo commands a premium price, it is expected to provide a luxuriously comfortable ride in a spacious, richly but tastefully kitted cabin. The S60 1.6 T4 delivers on all counts despite its compact dimensions. The consumer can choose from two chassis settings: Dynamic or Comfort, with the difference found in the dampers and the front and rear subframes. The unit I drove one weekend had the Comfort spec with a softer setting since the ride was smooth whether running at high speeds on the Skyway or sedately over potholed urban roads. The Comfort setting is logical for the mean streets of Metro Manila.

Despite its compliant ride quality, the S60 1.6 T4 is surefooted and stable in the way it grips the road and minimizes body roll, thanks to Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) and the aforementioned Advanced Stability Control and Corner Traction Control. The suspension system consists of MacPherson strut in front, multilink independent at the rear with coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers and stabilizer bars fore and aft.

Driver’s car

Indeed, the S60 1.6 T4 is a driver’s car, if not a car enthusiast’s car (no paddle shifters in this one), so pleasant and precise that I would gladly take its wheel for distant destinations. The cabin is both plush and practical at the same time with Scandinavian minimalist design cues, brushed metal trim and the trademark floating center console. Attention to details, fit and finish and quality of materials are impeccable. The dials are legible and you don’t have to resort to menus or multiple steps for simple, daily functions. The seats are big, cushy and just right for long trips plus the benefit of more interior space than the preceding S60. There is more knee room for rear seat passengers and the trunk opening is 107 mm wider.

Bottom line, the Volvo S60 1.6L T4 offers dynamic good looks, precedent-setting fuel economy, turbocharged performance, smooth riding comfort, high quality craftsmanship and an unrivaled level of safety engineering. At P2,695,000, it’s a good investment for the long haul.