Volvo V60: elegant, spacious and safe
As Volvo has produced bright SUVs such as the XC60 and the XC40, it is easy to forget that not too long ago the Swedish automaker was perhaps best known for the large family properties that attach great importance to safety.
The V60 sees Volvo return to its roots, although this is not a state of fuddy-duddy designed to attract geography teachers. Oh no. Since Volvo was freed from Ford ownership about eight years ago, it thrived under the new Chinese owner Geely, and found a new confidence in the design that the company has set aside.
Handsome, premium design
The 240GL and 740GL slab designs of the 70s and 80s were already a distant memory, and like many recent Volvos, the second generation V60 looks elegant and sophisticated.
By connecting the V60 to the rest of the Volvo's sleek new range, daytime running lights & # 39; Thor & # 39; s Hammer & # 39; in the front they lead to a concave grid. However, the design of the V60 makes it a bit safer than the XC40, leaving aside the distinctive rear pillars of the baby SUV and the two-tone paint schemes.
We drove
Volvo V60 D3 Inscription Pro
Engine: 2.0 liter 4-cylinder diesel
Power output: 150 bhp
Maximum speed: 127 mph
0-62 mph: 9.9 seconds
Price: V60 from £ 31,810 (model as tested: £ 48,110)
While you would be forgiven for thinking that the XC60 SUV would be the largest vehicle, it is actually the V60 that has the largest footprint, measuring 4,761 m in length compared to 4,688 m in the XC60.
This results in a massive start with a capacity of 529 liters that puts the rivals of BMW, Mercedes and Audi in the shade, and even eclipses the XC60, which will swallow 505 liters. If you need more space, you can fold the rear seats to increase capacity to 1441 liters.
Up front, and as we found with the XC60 and the XC40, the cockpit of the V60 is a lovely place to be. It is light and spacious, with top quality materials that guarantee a quality finish. Dominating the center console is the 9-inch Sensus touchscreen aimed at the Volvo portrait, through which most of the V60's key controls are accessed.
The Sensus interface is easy to navigate and responsive, and acts as your gateway to the entertainment, convenience and security features of the V60. This means that the rest of the console is quite aerodynamic, with dedicated controls for the volume, and the heated windshield and heated rear screen. However, wired controls to adjust the climate control functions would be nice, so you did not have to rely on on-screen controls.
Traditional analog dials are replaced by digital instruments on the V60's instrument panel, with a large 12.3-inch screen located behind the steering wheel. In addition to the key operating information, the system can display media, telephone, navigation and other data. Our Inscription Pro model also had a handy hand-to-hand screen.
As expected, there are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto onboard options, while a 10-speaker system is standard on the V60. If that is not enough to satisfy it, there is also a Harman Kardon option with 14 speakers that generates 600W, while the car we drive was adorned with a Bowers & Wilkins system with 15 speakers that exceeds 1100W. The clarity was impressive.
Advanced security technology
A Volvo property would not be a Volvo property without a large amount of safety technology, and the V60 is equipped with a series of advanced object detection and collision avoidance systems. All V60 have an integrated radar and a front-facing camera to detect objects in front of you and warn of a possible collision; The safety system will even go so far as to automatically apply the brakes to avoid or limit the impact in case it does not react in time.
How many times have you had to check again when you left to change lanes and that nothing was in your blind spot? Our V60 has the optional Volvo blind spot information system, which, as its name suggests, will notify you of anything in its blind spot by a beep and a flashing light in the side mirror on the side where the danger is located potential.
Our V60 was also supplied with Volvo's brilliant semi-autonomous pilot assistance steering technology
Our V60 was also equipped with Volvo's brilliant semi-autonomous pilot assistance steering technology. Simply select the desired cruise speed (up to 80 mph) and the V60 will take care of the rest. This allows the car to use the radar and camera to control braking and steering, while also establishing how close you want to travel to the car in front of you.
While it is still necessary to keep a hand on the wheel, the V60 will infallibly apply the subtle steering inputs as it follows the lane of the road it is on, while braking and accelerating smoothly to keep up with the flow of traffic .
We tested the system both on a four-lane highway and on a windy dual carriageway, and we were very impressed. It is designed to eliminate some of the stress and tension of driving on the main roads, and it made us feel much more refreshed after four hours of driving than we would have otherwise been.
In the path
Our V60 featured Volvo's low-end D3 diesel engine offering a modest 150bhp; There is also a slightly more robust D4 model available that increases the power to 190bhp. If you fancy a gasoline engine, your choice is limited to the 250 bhp T5 engine for now, while depending on the model you choose, you get a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The D3 engine felt a bit weak for us, with a time of 0-62 mph of 9.9 seconds. Once you're up to the road, although you're happily navigating along, while it's also fine to walk around the city, and considering the size of the V60, it does not feel like you have to fight a big car through the streets .
Verdict
The Volvo V60 is emphatically an old, covered property. The elegant style is complemented by a sumptuous cabin with a Scandi-cool design that oozes class, while there is enough space to easily carry children, dogs and all the paraphernalia that accompanies it with comfort. Consider the set of available security technology to make sure you and your family stay safe, and this is a compelling option if you are looking for a family property.
Comments
Post a Comment