Volvo V60 engines and braking systems
16 Jul 2010
Volvo V60 braking systems
Volvo has done a good job in imprinting the new V60 with a dynamic character. But even if the maneuverability of the car is at high standards, braking the car efficiently is another important feature that contributes to a car’s sportiness as well as its safety.
According to Volvo, V60 has a system that can predict soft braking situations and start applying the brakes before the driver does. Their Ready Alert Brakes system gently applies the brakes when such a situation is detected. When the driver presses the pedal, the braking is more efficient. This also saves time if, for example, you are forced to shift from accelerating to braking quickly.
If a critical situation is encountered, the Hydraulic Brake Assist system will come in and compensate to achieve a better stopping distance. If the servo system that helps the brakes has a pressure value below normal, which would not be enough during a hard braking phase, the Optimized Hydraulic Brakes system amplifies the braking force so that the car preserves its stopping performance.
Practically these systems are invisible driver’s assistants. The driver will not be aware of their intervention, but will certainly feel confident about being able to stop the car at any time if required.
Since V60 is a car with both dynamic looks and substance, many of the future V60 owners will surely be tempted to drive the car in a sporty manner. On a road with many tight turns, this also means a lot of braking. This will lead to a normal consequence: brake fading, due to heating of the brakes. Volvo V60 has a Fading Brake Support system, which diminishes the risk of brake fading.
To complete this chapter we can only add that the V60 is equipped with an electronic parking brake on all model variants.
Volvo V60 engines
Volvo V60 comes with a total of eight variants depending on the engine that equips the car. All V60 engines have now lower fuel consumptions and CO2 emissions. There are five petrol engine variants and three available diesel models.
Volvo V60 T6
Top of the range is the Volvo V60 T6, powered by a 3 litre with 6 cylinders in-line configuration. The powerful engine produces 304 hp and 440 Nm of torque available from 2100 rpm. Volvo V60 T6 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds and can accelerate further more up to 250 km/h. This model is available with the Geartronic automatic transmission optimized for quicker gear shifts. T6 is also featured with an All Wheel Drive transmission. This way, better grip and traction is ensured.
All the other petrol engines of the V60 have a 4 cylinder configuration.
Volvo V60 2.0T
The next model in line is the V60 2.0T. This model has a 2 litre engine with a putout of 203 hp and 300 Nm of torque which will ensure a sprint up to 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 230 km/h.
Volvo has developed a special turbo charging technology based on a steel made exhaust manifold and turbo charger. This new turbo system enables the V60 2.0T to achieve better performance while reducing consumption and emissions. For a 2 litre engine this is a very good level of performance.
It is most likely a general trend for carmakers to optimize engines and try to obtain a higher power from smaller engines. So far Volvo proves this theory right, giving the fact that they so much energy in developing a new turbocharger system of their own for this engine.
There are many advantages flowing from this concept: less fuel, lower taxation and more power.
The V60 T5 will basically have the same engine but it is planed to reach a maximum power of 240 hp and 320 Nm of torque, thus offering a higher level of performance.
Volvo V60 T4 and T3
These models are equipped with a 1.6 litre engine. Even if it basically the same engine, it comes in two variants. V60 T4 will produce 180 hp and 240 Nm while the V60 T3 will have less power, 150 hp but the same torque.
The 2.0 litre and the 1.6 litre models will be equipped with a six speed. Also a six speed automatic transmission named Powershift is available with the exception of the V60 T3.
As we have seen, all these petrol engines offer enough power for this car. Let’s see what the diesel engines have to offer.
Volvo V60 D5
V60 D5 is the most powerful of the diesel V60 models. It has a 5 cylinder 2.4 litre diesel engine with two turbochargers, which make it put out 205 hp and 420 Nm. Note that the torque value is close to that of the T6.
V60 D5 acceleration to 100 km/h takes 7.9 seconds and the top speed is 230 km/h. If you add to this level of performance an average consumption of just 5.4 litres for 100 km you can get an idea of the engine qualities. Volvo V60 D5 offers the best performance to efficiency ratio and might be one of the popular choices in Europe. The AWD, even if optional, makes it even more attractive.
Volvo V60 D3
People who could consider the 2.4 litre engine too big for their needs could look towards the VolvoV60 D3 which has a 2.0 litre diesel engine with more than enough torque, 400 Nm, and less power than the bigger brother. However, the 163 hp are more than enough to make a good impression. 9.4 seconds to 100 km/h and a top speed of 220 km/h say we are right.
Volvo V60 1.6 DRIVe
This car is for people who want to drive economically the new V60. The 1.6 litre engine of this model has only 4 cylinders and 115 hp. A pretty decent figure for an economy version.
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