Volvo V60 – New 2011 model

Finally the wait is over.  The new Volvo V60 is ready and can now be admired in all its beauty.

Design, chassis and electronics of the new Volvo V60

Design

The new Volvo V60 looks just as exciting as its brother the S60 model. Seen from the front there is no difference between the V60 and the S60. If you look from a side you will see a different perspective. Even if the V60 preserves the same sporty look, its style is specific for a sport wagon. The roof line descends towards the back of the car in a way that inspires pure dynamism. The line of windows is even more radical appealing to the lines of a coupe. This emphasizes the car’s dynamic character.

Seen from the back, shapes seem to flow and merge in a breathtaking blend of style, sportiness and elegance. Volvo V60 looks more like a sports car and less like a wagon, the old boxlike design is now history, since the focus comes on the driving characteristics now, while the versatility of the car, even if still present, is more discreet. It can only be discovered from inside the car.

Dynamism

Volvo wanted the 60 models, both the S 60 and the V60 to be the most dynamic of the entire Volvo model range. The sporty design of the Volvo V60 is backed up by the settings of the car chassis, which was designed to offer the best in terms of maneuverability and stability. Compared with the previous model, the chassis of the new V60 is almost 50 percent stiffer, which means that the car can handle better tight corners. The suspension has also been improved to withstand more force. V60 has stiffer and shorter springs. This enabled the manufacturer to increase the response time of the steering as well. Volvo developed two types of chassis a sport one, which will be offered as standard in Europe, and a touring version with softer suspension, which is obviously focused on comfort. If you have a hard time choosing between the two, you can in fact choose a third, which has both. Volvo developed for the V60 the Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept, which is in fact an active controlled chassis, with a liberty of choice between sport and comfort modes.

Electronic systems

V60 is nothing more than a masterpiece of modern technology with a rich variety of electronic systems designed to offer the best in its class. In this article we will only mention those related mainly to active safety and driving pleasure.

The anti skid system of the V60, named Advanced Stability Control comes with a new roll sensor which makes the system react faster. Adding the improvement of the traction control to the superior qualities of the car, this makes for a very well put together ensemble. Even engine braking have been considered. Volvo equipped the V60 with Engine Drag Control, a system that prevents blocking the wheels on slippery surfaces when engine braking is recommended. Trailer Stability Assist is another electronic system that will be found useful by people who plan to tow a caravan, and it acts by stabilizing the car if needed during towing.

If you are not the caravan type, you might like the possibility to make the most of your V60 by activating the sportive setting of the DSTC, and experience some thrills.

The DSTC system now benefits from the development of the Corner Traction Control which uses torque vectoring for better dynamics while cornering.