Item: 2010 Volvo Mk.2 S60
Rating: 3

Powerful T5 and T6 petrol engines
Comfortable, supportive front seats
Well-weighted steering
S60 Polestar has excellent dynamics
Generally impressive ride/handling balance…

… but on 18-inch (and bigger) wheels, suspension lacks compliance
For S60 T6, automatic transmission provides slow gearshifts
Steering lacks feel
Limited boot space
Oil consumption for 2010-11 Volvo S60 T6

Review: Volvo Mk.2-I S60 (2010-13)

Overview

Released in December 2010, the Volvo Mk.2 Phase I (Mk.2-I) S60 was a mid-size sedan. Manufactured in Ghent, Belgium, the Volvo S60 range initially consisted of the D5 and T6 variants, with the T5 following in March 2011. In October 2011, the range was further expanded with the D3 and T4 variants, with limited-run S60 Polestar Performance Pack variants following in December 2011. In June 2013, the factory-produced Polestar was released.

Volvo Mk.2-I S60 specifications
Variant	Years	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
D3	2011-13	1984 cc D5204T2 turbo-diesel I5	6sp auto	120 kW at 3500 rpm	400 Nm at 1500-2750 rpm
D5 AWD	2010-13	2400 cc D5244T10 twin-turbo diesel I5	6sp auto	151 kW at 4000 rpm	420 Nm at 1500-3250 rpm
T4	2011-13	1596 cc B41644T turbo petrol I4	6sp DCT	132 kW at 5700 rpm	240 Nm at 1600-5000 rpm
T5	2010-13	1999 cc turbo petrol I4	6sp DCT	177 kW at 5500 rpm	320 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm
T6 AWD	2010-13	2953 cc B6304T4 turbo petrol I6	6sp auto	224 kW at 5600 rpm	440 Nm at 2100-4200 rpm
Polestar Perform-ance Pack (AWD)	2011-12	2953 cc B6304T4 turbo petrol I6	6sp auto	242 kW at 5400-6500 rpm	480 Nm at 3000-3600 rpm
Polestar (factory, AWD)	2013	2953 cc turbo B6304T5 petrol I6	6sp auto	257 kW at 5700 rpm	500 Nm at 2800-4750 rpm

AWD system

The Volvo S60 D5, T6 and Polestar variants were fitted with a fourth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system with an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. In normal conditions, the system provided a 95:5 front:rear torque split. The clutch also had a pre-tensioning function such that torque could be directed to the rear wheels when sensors detected that it may be required, i.e. before wheel slip actually occurred. When the coupling’s clutch plates were engaged, 50 per cent of the engine’s torque was directed to the rear wheels.

Dimensions

Compared to the Volvo Mk.1 S60 , the Mk.2 S60 was 26 mm longer (at 4628 mm), 42 mm wider (1865 mm), 51 mm taller (1484 mm) and had a 61 mm longer wheelbase (2776 mm). Visually, the Mk.2 S60 could be identified by its extended C-pillar which created a more coupe-like profile.

Suspension

Like its predecessor, the Volvo Mk.2 S60 had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. For the Mk.2 S60, however, the suspension was tuned to be firmer for greater body control.

As an extra-cost option, the S60 could be specified with Volvo’s ‘Four-C’ suspension which consisted of electronically-controlled dampers that could adjust to driver behaviour and road conditions to vary damping at each wheel. Furthermore, the driver could select from ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Advanced’ drive modes.

Steering

The Volvo S60 had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance; the steering wheel required 2.58 turns from lock to lock and the S60 had a turning circle of 11.9 metres. Compared to the Volvo Mk.1 S60 , the Mk.2 S60 had a 10 per cent faster steering ratio, while the steering column had thicker tubing and stiffer bushes for greater feel.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volvo S60 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, a rollover sensor, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The S60 was also fitted with Volvo’s ‘City Safety’, a radar-based system which provided automated braking at speeds of up to 30 km/h to prevent collisions with the car ahead. The electronic stability control system also included a torque vectoring function which could brake an inside wheel (‘torque vectoring brake’) while cornering to effectively transfer torque to the outside wheel.

Optional safety equipment included radar-based cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and pedestrian detection, which used a radar and camera to provide automated braking if a pedestrian was detected to cross in front of the car.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a 2011 Volvo V60 D3 received a five star safety rating which included a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 82 per cent child occupant protection rating. Based on data supplied by Volvo, Euro NCAP concluded that a similar level of safety performance could be expected from Mk.2 S60 models fitted with five-cylinder turbo-diesel engines. In the frontal impact test, there was a slight risk of serious leg injury for the front occupants. In the side impact and pole tests, the S60 received maximum points though rib compression readings in the latter indicated marginal protection of the chest.

Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in an adult occupant protection score of 36.34 out of 37.

Features: Volvo S60 D3, T4, D5 and T5

Standard features for the Volvo S60 D3, T4, D5 and T5 included 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with CD player and auxiliary inputs (MP3/USB/iPod), a five-inch colour display, climate control air conditioning, leather seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking sensors, rear fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, power retracting and heated mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, a power-operated park brake, anti-glare rear view mirror, trip computer and an immobiliser. From October 2011, the five-inch colour display was increased to a larger, seven-inch unit.

Features: Volvo S60 T6

Compared to the T5, The S60 T6 was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, a twelve speaker Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound system, satellite navigation with a seven-inch colour display, power adjustable front seats with memory functions, DVD player and front parking sensors. From October 2011, the T6 was fitted with directional headlights, blind-spot warning system, front parking sensors, proximity key, an alarm system and rear lip spoiler.

S60 R-Design

The Volvo S60 T5 and T6 were also available in R-Design editions. The R-Design edition included 18-inch ‘Ixion’ diamond-cut alloy wheels with lowered and firmer suspension settings, contoured sports seats with larger bolsters, a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, sports pedals, ‘watch-dial’ instruments and ‘R-Design’. Visually, the R-Design editions could be identified by their more aggressive front bumpers with black grilles and rear diffusers.

From October 2011, the S60 T5 R-Design was also fitted with satellite navigation, directional headlights, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control with collision warning, autonomous braking, pedestrian detection, ‘queue assist’ and a blind spot warning system. The ‘queue assist’ function which operated if the S60 braked to rest and there was a stationary vehicle in front of it. If the vehicle ahead began to accelerate within three seconds, the S60 would automatically accelerate (maintaining a safe distance behind). If the S60 was stationary for longer than three seconds, the driver would need to press the ‘resume’ button to enable the autonomous acceleration.

Optional Teknik packs

Optional ‘Teknik’ packs were also available; for the D3, T4 and T5, the Teknik pack added satellite navigation with seven-inch colour display, directional headlights and a rear view camera. For the T6, the Teknik pack added adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, directional headlights and a rear parking camera.

From October 2011, the Teknik pack included a power adjustable front passenger seat, directional headlights, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control with collision warning, autonomous braking, pedestrian detection, queue assist, a blind spot warning system and ‘watch dial’ instruments.

S60 Polestar Performance Pack

The S60 Polestar Performance Pack was introduced in December 2011 as a limited-run of fifty vehicles. Solely available in Australia, these Polestar -modified vehicles were based on the T6 R-Design but had a more powerful engine due to an integrated Polestar software upgrade. The Polestar variants were also fitted with 19-inch Heico alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tyres, a Heico quad exhaust system and unique rear air diffuser. Furthermore, the sports suspension consisted of 15 per cent stiffer springs, 20 per cent stiffer bushings and monotube rear dampers; it also lowered the ride height by 15mm.

From April 2012, Volvo could apply Polestar tuning software to the S60 T6 R-Design, increasing peak power by 18 kW to 242 kW and peak torque by 40 Nm to 480 Nm.

S60 Polestar (factory production)

From June 2013, the S60 Polestar was available as a factory production vehicle. Compared to the T6, the factory-produced S60 Polestar had a new twin-scroll Borg Warner turbocharger, Polestar engine management software, a 2.5-inch stainless steel high-flow exhaust system and 3.5-inch tail-pipes. As such, the S60 Polestar could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Fitted with 19-inch Polestar alloy wheels with 235/40 R19 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, suspension changes for the S60 Polestar included two-way adjustable Ohlins shock absorbers, stiffer springs, thicker anti-roll bars, reinforced top mounts, a reinforced carbon fibre strut brace and upgraded toe link arms. Furthermore, the S60 Polestar had 336 mm by 29 mm ventilated front brake discs and 302 mm by 22 mm ventilated rear discs.

Visually, the S60 Polestar could be identified by its unique front splitter, rear diffuser and spoiler, unique door trims, black mirror covers, sill plates and Polestar badges; inside, there was also a Polestar gearshift knob.

Brochure

Brochure: Volvo Mk.2-I S60 (October 2011)

Technical specifications

Review: Volvo Mk.2-II S60 (2013-18)