Just back from my "R" driving experience yesterday and just wanted to share my feelings on the car.
In a nut-shell it's a GREAT car/wagon and one I would reccommend-if you're new to performance volvos(or any great performance sedan/wagon).I was not totally blown away with it. there are tons of stuff I liked about it: the engine is easily accees to do basic maintainance, the brakes, the wheels, the 4Cs chasis, the tranny(both), and of course the full range of active safety features. Some of the things I did not like: some interior material seemed "plasticy", the exhaust seems restrictive, the engine/performance, that blue engine cover is PLASTIC. these are subjective stuff, but coming from a some-what modded(suspension & ECU & brakes) 854 T5, I'm somewhat biased. Since the S60R is AWD, it's heavier than a 854 R. I think a 854R/S60T5 with a IPD ECU and full exos(and upgraded brakes) could do similiar stats(0-60;60-0 & 1/4 mile) like the new R. The best thing about the new car is no torque steer, and the handling in twisties. Seat of the pants thou, I doesn't seem much faster than my car! I WOULD buy the V70R(in a few years after someone had leased it). I wished we were able to do laps &/or straight line tests! All in all a great mix between performance and luxury. I gave it 3.5 stars(out of 5)!!!!!