Review: Volvo Mk.1-I S60 (2001-04)

Overview

Released in January 2001, the Volvo Mk.1 Phase I (Mk.1-I) S60 was a mid-size sedan. Manufactured in Ghent, Belgium, the Volvo S60 range initially consisted of the 2.4, 2.4T and T5. The range was subsequently expanded with the introduction of the 2.4T AWD in 2002. In 2003, the range was revised: the 2.4T and T5 were discontinued, while the 2.5T AWD and R variants were introduced. In 2004, a limited-run AKTIV variant was released.

B52 Engines

All Volvo S60 engines were from Volvo’s Modular engine family which had aluminium cylinder blocks and heads, fracture-split forged steel connecting rods, double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder; the turbocharged engines were also fitted with intercoolers. However,

For 2.4 variants, the 2.4-litre B5244S petrol engine had a variable intake valve timing and a compression ratio of 10.3:1;
For 2.4T variants, the 2.4-litre B5244T turbocharged petrol engine had variable exhaust valve timing and a compression ratio of 9.0:1;
For 2.5T variants, the 2.5-litre B5254T2 turbocharged petrol engine had dual variable valve timing and compression ratio of 9.0:1;
For T5 variants, the 2.3-litre B5234T3 turbocharged petrol engine, had variable exhaust valve timing, a compression ratio of 8.5:1 and Bosch ME7 Engine Management; and,
For R variants, the 2.5-litre B5254T4 turbocharged petrol engine had dual variable valve timing and a compression ratio of 8.5:1. This engine was offered with either a five-speed AW51 Aisin Warner automatic transmission (with peak torque limited to 350 Nm in first and second gears) or a six-speed M66 Getrag manual transmission.

Volvo Mk.1-I S60 specifications
Variant	Edition	Years	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
2.4	N/A	2002-04	2435 cc B5244S petrol I5	5sp man., 5sp auto	125 kW at 5900 rpm	230 Nm at 4500 rpm
2.4	SE	2001-04	2435 cc B5244S petrol I5	5sp man., 5sp auto	125 kW at 5900 rpm	230 Nm at 4500 rpm
2.4T	N/A	2001-03	2435 cc B5244T3 turbo petrol I5	5sp man., 5sp auto	147 kW at 6000 rpm	285 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm
2.4T	AWD	2002	2435 cc B5244T3 turbo petrol I5	5sp man., 5sp auto	147 kW at 6000 rpm	285 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm
2.5T	AWD	2003-04	2521 cc B5254T2 turbo petrol I5	5sp man., 5sp auto	154 kW at 5000 rpm	320 Nm at 1800-4500 rpm
AKTIV	N/A	2004	2521 cc B5254T2 turbo petrol I5	5sp auto	154 kW at 5000 rpm	320 Nm at 1800-4500 rpm
T5	N/A	2001-03	2319 cc B5234T3 turbo petrol I5	5sp man., 5sp auto	184 kW at 5200 rpm	330 Nm at 2400-5200 rpm
R	AWD	2003-04	2522 cc B5254T4 turbo petrol I5	5sp auto	220 kW at 6000 rpm	350 Nm at 1800-6000 rpm
R	AWD	2003-04	2522 cc B5254T4 turbo petrol I5	6sp man.	220 kW at 5500 rpm	400 Nm at 1950-5250 rpm

AWD system

The Volvo S60 AWD and S60 R were fitted a Haldex all-wheel drive system with a wet multi-plate clutch. In normal conditions, the system provided a 95:5 front:rear torque distribution. If traction was lost, however, the Haldex coupling could activate in the time required for one quarter of a wheel’s revolution. As such, torque to the rear wheels increased until the clutch locked, at which point torque was evenly distributed between the front and rear axles (i.e. 50:50).

Furthermore, Volvo’s traction control and management system (‘TRACS’) could brake an individual wheel to transfer torque to the opposing wheel (i.e. cross-axle torque transfer) at speeds of up to 120 km/h.

Dimensions and body

The Volvo Mk.1 S60 was underpinned by Volvo’s P2 platform which was also shared with the Volvo Mk.1 S80 and Mk.2 V70 . Compared to its Volvo S70 predecessor, the Mk.1 S60 was 144 mm shorter (at 4576 mm), but 44 mm wider (1804 mm), 23 mm taller (1428 mm) and had a 50 mm longer wheelbase (2715 mm). Furthermore, the new body had twice the torsional rigidity (approximately 20,000 Nm/degree) of its predecessor.

Suspension and steering

The Volvo S60 had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. Furthermore, the Volvo S60 had rack-and-pinion steering with hydraulic power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volvo S60 included dual front airbags (two-stage deployment), front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, anti-submarining seats, Volvo’s Whiplash Protection System (‘WHIPS’) and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The S60 2.4T was further equipped with traction control, while the T5 and R variants were also equipped with electronic stability control.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , the Volvo S60 received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 28, although the tested vehicle was not fitted with a front passenger airbag. In the frontal offset impact test, chest protection was marginal for the front occupants, while protection was also marginal for the driver’s legs. In the side impact and pole tests, however, maximum points were awarded.

Features

Standard features for the Volvo S60 2.4 included 15-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with a CD player, air conditioning, rear fog lights, 1/3 to 2/3 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlet and an immobiliser. The S60 2.4 SE was further equipped with climate control air conditioning, leather seats, heated front seats, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls and ‘woodline’ trim.

Beyond this, the S60 2.4T added 16-inch alloy wheels, a power adjustable driver’s seat, driver’s seat and mirror memory settings and a trip computer. Of the all wheel drive models, the 2.4T and 2.5T were further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, front fog lights, power folding and heated mirrors.

Of the sports variants, the Volvo S60 T5 added a thirteen speaker sound system with a four-disc CD player, satellite navigation, contoured sports seats, power sunroof and car phone. The Volvo S60 R was distinguished by its 18-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tyres, an eleven speaker sound system, bi-xenon headlights with washers. However, The S60 R was also fitted with Volvo’s ‘Four-C’ suspension system (‘Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept’) – with selectable ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Advanced Sport’ modes – and an upgraded braking package consisting of 330 mm by 32 mm front discs and 330 mm by 28 mm rear discs with four-piston Brembo brake calipers (front and rear).

2004 Volvo S60 AKTIV

Released in 2004 as a limited-run variant, the AKTIV was similarly equipped to the 2.4 SE but distinguished by its 17-inch alloy wheels and rear spoiler.

Review: Volvo Mk.1-II S60 (2004-09)