Volvo Auto India has launched its S60 sedan in India. With cutting edge safety technology and terrific features, this luxury car is all set to redefine the entry level premium luxury market. Amit Chhangani demystifies this Swedish wizardry…
Volvo Auto, known the world over for the impeccable safety of its cars, has introduced its latest model, the S60 in the Indian market. Aimed squarely at the entry level premium luxury players such as the BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-class, the S60 will offer a youthful and feature packed option in the segment.
The S60 will be available in both petrol and diesel variants. The petrol engine, christened the T6 has a displacement of 3.0 litres, and pushes out 304bhp of max power and 440Nm of peak torque. The company claims the engine to be capable of 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6.5 seconds with a fuel efficiency figure of 9.8kmpl. Transmission duties are taken care of by Volvo’s second-generation six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission. The petrol version of the S60 will be called the S60 T6 Summum, and will be the most expensive of the three variants, priced at Rs 34 lakh ex-showroom Mumbai (without octroi).
The diesel engine option in the Volvo S60 is presented in the form of the D5 twin-turbo engine, good for 205bhp of power and 420nm of torque. The five-cylinder engine employs Peizo injectors which produce a very high pressure for better power delivery and efficiency. The S60 diesel variant will be available in Summum and Kinetic variants. The Summum variant is the more expensive of the two, priced at Rs 32 lakh, the Kinetic variant would be available for Rs 27lakh ex-showroom (both without octroi).
Staying true to its brand’s legacy, the Volvo S60 comes loaded to the gills with innovating safety technology, some of which are a world first. The most innovative safety feature on the Volvo S60 is the Pedestrain Detection System and Laser Assisted Automatic Braking. Pedestrian Detection system is a new active automotive safety technology that can detect pedestrians in front of the car, warn the driver and automatically apply full braking power if the driver does not respond in time. The system can avoid a collision with a pedestrian at speeds of up to 35 km/h if the driver does not react in time.
Apart from Pedestrain Seafty feature, the S60 comes equipped with a host of other safety features. The Collision Warning system alerts the driver if the distance to the vehicle ahead reduces suddenly, and applies brakes automatically. S60’s Advanced Stability Control employs a torque vectoring system along with a new roll angle sensor to detect slippage or loss of control at a very early stage. Brakes to individual wheels are then applied to the car back in control. Then there is the Adaptive Cruise Control feature which lets the driver maintain a safe distance from the car ahead automatically in the Cruise mode.
The S60 also comes equipped with another unique technology in its segment. Termed Active bending Lights, the feature makes the headlamps turn in the direction of the steering wheel to maximize visibility around corners. The car also comes equipped with Dynamic Stability and Traction Control which keeps detecting the traction on all four wheels and the vehicle’s stability continuously.
Active Safty apart, the S60 has some of the most advanced passive safety systems implemented on board. The long list of the S60’s passive safety features includes Side Impact Protection system (SIPS), Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), Roll-over Protection System (ROPS), 2-stage airbags, Seatbelt pre-tentioners, Inflatable Curtain (IC), Side Airbags. In a nutshell, the S60 is one of the safest cars in the world to travel in. nad that’s a reason why the brand is very popular among European buyers who travel with their kids and wives often.
Apart from these variant specific features, some S60 features can be had on any variant as an option. Among others, the Four-C active chassis, which adjusts itself according to conditions, can be ordered on any variant. Advanced features such as driver Alert Control (to alert tired drivers), Blind Spot Information System (to detect vehicles on blind spots), Lane Departure Warning System (alerts if the vehicle cuts a lane without turn signal) and park assist camera can be had as options. Volvo S60 also come equipped with SENSUS infotainment system. Featuring a high performance audio with DVD and 8 speakers the SENSUS system is Bluetooth, USB and iPod compatible.
“The aim is for driving pleasure, world-class design and innovative safety to attract more customers to the Volvo brand. Words alone cannot do justice to the driving properties this sedan embodies. You simply have to drive the car to understand what it’s about”, further added Mr. de Voijs.” Said Paul de Voijs, Managing Director, Volvo Auto India at th launch. After having seen the exhaustive list of cutting edge features on this new car, his words sound true to the last letter. After being unchallenged for years, it seems the dominant German trio in the premium luxury segment has a real reason to worry. Good going, Volvo!