V60 joins the Volvo family

A new model is joining the Volvo lineup. The new V60 is a sports wagon that is set to compete with the all-new S60 sedan model for the title of "The Most Dynamic Volvo Model Ever". According to Volvo Cars Design Director Peter Horbury, “Many of the customers who had an advance look at the new V60 during the development process feel that its attitude is at least as sporty as that of the all-new S60.” The first V60s are set to be delivered this autumn.

The production of the new V60 will take place at Torslanda in Sweden. Volvo will be targeting an initial annual production of 50,000 cars, with no less than 90 percent of them being absorbed by European customers.

Örjan Sterner, head of exterior design for the new Volvo V60 explains that “the focus was on making the car as close to a coupe as possible, while retaining that handy extra space at the rear. Our sports wagon does not aim to compete with the traditional estate car. For the customer who wants a lot of load space, there is our V70 or XC70."

The result is a sports wagon with a pronounced wedge shape, a slim coupe-like roof line and lines that continue to flow instead of ending abruptly. This is what Volvo design team calls the “racetrack” design.

According to Tomas Ahlborg, Project Director for the new Volvo V60, the sporty design is expected to “give customers a visual promise that the driving properties are going to be something truly exceptional.”

“We know that buyers in this tough segment have really high expectations regarding the driving experience. I am convinced they will be very satisfied indeed with what we've achieved with the chassis and engine,” explained Ahlborg.

In terms of engine range the new Volvo V60 will be available with five petrol and three diesel powertrains. The Swedish brand offers a wide variety of engines which goes from an economical 115 horsepower DRIVe version to an eager high-performance turbocharged version producing 304 horsepower. A special care has been made to cut CO2 emissions and to lower fuel consumption throughout the whole range.

The Volvo V60 will be also featuring a new technology developed by the Swedish brand: the Pedestrian Detection. This technology will help the driver avoid accidents by being able to detect if a pedestrian steps out into the road in front of the car. The car can automatically activate the brakes.