Item: 2011 Volvo Mk.2 V60
Rating: 3

Powerful T5 and T6 petrol engines
Responsive D4 and T4 engines
40/20/40 split and folding rear seat makes for versatile interior
V60 Polestar has excellent dynamics
Generally impressive ride/handling balance…

… but on 18-inch (and bigger) wheels, suspension lacks compliance
For V60 T6, automatic transmission provides slow gearshifts
Steering lacks feel
Oil consumption for 2011 Volvo V60 T6

Review: Volvo Mk.2-I V60 (2011-13)

Overview

Released in March 2011, the Volvo Mk.2 Phase I (Mk.2-I) V60 was a mid-size wagon. Manufactured in Ghent, Belgium, the Volvo V60 was initially available in three variants: D5, T5 and T6. In October 2011, however, the range was further expanded with the D3 and T4 variants. The full range is given in the table below.

Volvo Mk.2-I V60 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	2011-13	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	2011-13	1999 cc turbo petrol I4	6sp DCT	177 kW at 5500 rpm	320 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm
T6 AWD	2011-13	2953 cc B6304T4 turbo petrol I6	6sp auto	224 kW at 5600 rpm	440 Nm at 2100-4200 rpm

AWD system

The Volvo V60 D5 and T6 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 was also be pre-tensioned such that torque could be directed to the rear wheels when sensors detected that it was required, i.e. before wheel slip actually occurred. When the coupling’s clutch plates were engaged, up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque could be directed to the rear wheels.

Body and dimensions

Sharing its platform with the Volvo Mk.2 S60 sedan, the Volvo V60 had the same dimensions: 4628 mm long, 1865 mm wide, 1484 mm high and a 2776 mm long wheelbase. Cargo capacity, however, increased from 380 to 430 litres and, with the rear seats folded, further increased to 1241 litres.

Suspension

Like the S60, the Volvo V60 had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. As an extra-cost option, the Volvo V60 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 V60 had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance; the steering wheel required 2.58 turns from lock to lock and the V60 had a turning circle of 11.9 metres.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volvo Mk.2 V60 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

As standard, the Volvo V60 was also fitted with Volvo’s ‘City Safety’ system, which would automatically apply the brakes at speeds under 30km/h if a windscreen-mounted laser detected anticipated a collision. The ‘Pedestrian Detection’ system – fitted as standard – also applied automatic braking if a pedestrian was detected to cross in front of the car.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a V60 D3 received a five star safety rating with a 94 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 82 per cent child occupant protection rating – this rating was applied to all V60 models 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 V60 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 V60 D3, T4, T5 and D5

Standard features for the Volvo V60 D3, T4, T5 and D5 included 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with CD player and auxiliary inputs (MP3/USB/iPod), five-inch colour display, climate control air conditioning, leather seats and upholstery, a power adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, cruise control, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth connectivity, 40/20/40 split and flat-folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, power retracting and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, 12 volt power outlets, a cargo cover and net, trip computer and an immobiliser.

From October 2011, the five-inch colour display was increased to a larger, seven-inch unit and two-stage child booster cushions for the outboard rear seats were fitted as standard.

Features: Volvo V60 T6

The Volvo V60 T6 was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, a twelve speaker Dolby Pro Logic surround sound system, DVD player, satellite navigation with seven-inch colour display, power adjustable front passenger seat and front parking sensors. From October 2011, the T6 was fitted with directional headlights, blind-spot warning system, front parking sensors, proximity key and an alarm system.

Volvo V60 R-Design

The Volvo V60 R-Design was distinguished by its five-spoke 18-inch ‘Ixion’ diamond-cut alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension with firmer anti-roll bars and mono-tube dampers, front strut tower brace, contoured sports seats with larger bolsters and higher quality leather, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheels, sports gearshift and pedals and ‘R-Design’ floor mats, trim and instruments. Visually, the R-Design editions could be identified by its more aggressive front bumper with black grille, body-coloured elements, larger intakes for the rear diffuser and twin exhaust outlets.

From October 2011, the V60 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 function.

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, full auto brake, pedestrian detection, queue assist, blind spot warning system and ‘watch dial’ instruments.

2012 Volvo V60 Ocean Race edition

In March 2012, limited-run Ocean Race editions of the T5 variant were released. Based on the Teknik pack, the Ocean Race editions could be identified by their 18-inch ‘Argus’ alloy wheels and choice of ‘Ocean Race Blue II’ or ‘Electric Silver’ metallic paint finishes. Inside, there was rcross-stitched leather upholstery with ‘Ocean Race’ embossing and aluminium inlays for the centre stack.

Volvo V60 T6 R-Design – Polestar tuning

From April 2012, Volvo could apply Polestar tuning software to the V60 T6 R-Design, increasing peak power by 18 kW to 242 kW and peak torque by 40 Nm to 480 Nm.

Technical Specifications

Review: Volvo Mk.2-II V60 (2013-18)