I have always feared that Volvo would remain in the conservative corner of car design and resist the temptation to dabble in cutting-edge cars. Not every auto maker can afford to actually convert prototypes into production vehicles. Lets face it, Volvo S60 is not in the same catagory as a Prowler or PT cruiser for daring debut.

The S60 I drove this weekend was not a radical change for Volvo, but a wonderful refinement. Luckily my local San Antonio dealer ordered 6 S60, including a T5 with Spaceball. Good idea if you are attempting to woo the BMW crowd.

The young salesman did his best to push the envelope and impress me with the car while he drove. Great acceleration. Tighter and more predictable corners than any Volvo I've ever driven.

Then I took the wheel. Salesman cautioned me that the car had a buyer waiting at the dealership, so I may be the last person who got to testdrive the T5 manual for quite a while. Pulled on the highway, found a stretch without traffic, and hit 120mph in fourth. Downshifted and pulled hard right for an "unexpected exit ramp" and then hit the turnaround lane at +60mph. Front tires hopped a bit as I accelerated out, but held. Salesman, now stuttering in the passenger seat, asked that we return to the dealership. No problem. Only made him gasp once on the way back.

Overall pros: What a SLEEPER! No one would know you own a rocket.

Overall cons: My 87 BMW 325 handles better.

Morris, regarding your con, have you driven the e46 BMW lately? I think you will find that your '87 out handles it as well (and definitely has more feedback in the steering than the over boosted e46).

Thanks.

-rdo

Poor person who got this one after everyone had beat it and raped it....I guess I am the only one who still worries about proper break in.

I've read one test drive that stated a 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds.... I was hoping more for a low six of five second range.... For a T5, Stick. Guess I'll keep what I have now... Until a AWD,300hp Lighting Blue S60 hit the streets :) Maybe?

Anthony, formerly Cindy wrote:

> I've read one test drive that stated a 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds.... I

> was hoping more for a low six of five second range.... For a T5,

> Stick.

Volvo claims 6.4 seconds

Motor Trend saw 6.6 seconds (on a low mileage tight engine) and a 1/4 of 14.9@98.4 MPH that beats everything I know of in its class. This was a test conducted during the Car of the Year testing. I'm sure once Mac DeMere gets ahold of one with over 4000 miles on the clock we'll see a low six out of this new toy.

Ok, What am I missing here?

Volvo S60 247HP@5200 243@2400-5200 5 Speed 3,146lbs Drag .28 0-60: 6.4

Audi S4 250HP@5800 258@1850-3600 6 Speed 3,593lbs Drag .?? 0-60: 5.9

Audi has 3HP more with a 600rpm better peak, also a 15lb of tq more. Not to mention a 6speed.

Volvo has a thicker tq band, 447lbs less fat with a great Drag of .28

Conclusion Volvo's S60 tq band comes in too late? Isn't tq there to start moving the car, then HP takes over? Volvo's 5 speed isn't aggressive enough? Volvo's HP peak drops to early? .4 liters less does the engine bad? Or maybe FWD is the death of anything faster than 6 seconds without slicks or oversteer or loss of traction? Maybe 447lbs of fat from the quattro is well worth it? Or maybe I am comparing Apples and Oranges?

What do you think????

Here's what you're missing:

-The weight of the S60 is 3439 pounds from what I've read (you can check Edmunds) which is appropriate since the S60 is a bigger car (although it is heavier and smaller than its S70 predecessor).

-Volvo engines don't loosen up for several thousand miles so that 6.4 will probably become something more like 6.1 or 6.2 in later tests. Hope this helps.

Thanks.

-rdo

1. S4 is a Quattro -> quicker start

2. S4 has a bi-turbo V6 -> shorter turbo lag.

Yup... the turbos in the S4 are also considerably smaller, which computes to a lot less spool-up lag.

Hi Cindy,

Car and Driver got a 0-60 of 6.6 seconds. Volvo claims a 6.4 sec 0-60. Depends on the driver. but to be perfectly honest, to the everyday driver .1, .2 seconds is hardly discernable-IMHO.

Agreed, the R is going to be an absolute rocket and many are waiting with baited breath:)

regards.

Maybe another generation of models, and Volvo will figure out how to make a car that has both excellent handling AND good acceleration. The new body styles continue the fundamental Volvo characteristics, that is to say rather uncommunicative and vague steering which promotes a conservative driving style (another example of this - the Camry), and either inadequate or too much straight line acceleration. This generation shows that Volvo now understands the importance of styling.

The S60 is an attractive, and a different car than others on the road. It's not a superior car. The S60 is a closer approach to the target characteristics for its market segment than the S80 is.

An interesting comparision would be to put it up against a Passat, ignoring interior luxury appointments. The Passat would probably win.

Maybe I'm just grumpy. But Volvo's time is still ahead.

Shaun

Somewhat satisfied S80 2.9 owner

Camry??? Oh, my... Have you driven one? Just out of curiosity?

What's "too much straight line acceleration"?

...Passat would win???

Sounds like you have had a bad relationship with your dealer...

I would NEVER buy a dealer demo, or a service loaner. Also when I buy a new car I tell the sales person I will not accept the car if it has anymore than 10 miles on it......my 2000 S70-GLT had 7mi. on it when I picked it up.

As far as break in I had my oil and filter changd at 600, 1200, and 2500 miles, then at 5000 miles I went to Mobil-1 10W30....and I still have it changed every 2500 miles. I also kept the RPM below 3000 as much as I could for the first 1500 mi or so......anyhow what I am getting at is I still break in all new engines the right way.

Steve Ferraro

Hoboken, NJ

I leased DEMO (1800 mi) S70 GLT with every possible option in 1998. I still have it and will return it in May, 2001. Only thing I can tell - There is no any difference from new in driving. Very good performance. But I can agree that if I want to BUY a car - I want to by new, not a demo.