XC60
WR TV: 2015 Volvo XC60 T6 Drive-E Platinum
This week we’re taking a look at Volvo’s hot selling sporty crossover, which gets an updated powertrain lineup for 2015 to go along with last year’s visual refresh. That powertrain update brings the company’s new Drive-E engine family into the fold, which has a few interesting tricks up its sleeve.
Quick Drive: 2012 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD
The Volvo is a good vehicle. It’s got plenty of power from its turbocharged six-cylinder engine, packing 300 ponies and 325 pound-feet of torque. There’s some turbo lag on tip-in, but by and large the engine spools rather quickly and dumps the torque across the middle of the rev range. It feels accessible, although not quite as much as some biturbocharged setups (we’re looking at you BMW). It dispatches highway traffic in a quiet, dignified manner, certainly not struggling to make a pass or tackle an entrance ramp.
Driven: 2012 Volvos With Polestar Tuning
Unless you’re an avid fan of Swedish speed machines, you could be forgiven for not committing the name Polestar to memory. Volvo has officially partnered up with the performance brand since 1996, and Polestar has mainly been known for its hand in Volvo racing development. Whether we knew it or not, we North Americans have been waiting since sales began in 2009 to flaunt the blue square badge on our own roads. Our introduction began when Volvo invited us out to Arizona to sample a handful of its models equipped with Polestar tuning: the XC60, XC70, C30, and C70.
Quick Drive: 2011 Volvo S60
Some brands have a well-identified and executed character that cuts across much of what they do—for better or for worse. Most Toyotas are rather dull and uninvolving, and have rather lame design qualities inside and out. Most Porsches are entertaining to drive, give up some secondary ride comfort in the quest for handling, and draw on the 911 loosely for design inspiration (or distraction).
Quick Drive: 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD
The XC60 has a great deal of potential. The 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 produces 281 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, but it feels more powerful than that. Power goes through a six-speed automatic gearbox, which always does what the driver needs. Upshifts and downshifts are quickly dealt with, while stomping on the throttle rarely confuses the gearbox as to what gear it should be in.
First Look: 2011 Volvo S60
Volvo is unveiling the all-new S60 ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. And ain’t she a beauty? The four-door S60 has been designed with a coupe’s appearance in mind, to give it a sportier demeanor. Volvo also promises that the looks aren’t the only sporty thing about it, as the driving dynamics are meant to be exciting, and suitable for the enthusiast driver.
Volvo Announces 2.0 GTDi Engine
Today, Volvo added a new mill to the lineup: a turbocharged, four-cylinder, 2.0-liter engine with direct injection and variable valve timing. The 2.0 GTDi will power versions of the Volvo S80, V70, and XC60.
Volvo Announces Pricing For XC60 R-Design
Volvo has announced pricing for the 2010 XC60 R-Design. For a base MSRP of $41,550, the R-Design gets a host of interior and exterior styling changes, as well as some slight mechanical upgrades.
First Look: 2010 Volvo C30
Just like the larger C70 convertible, Volvo’s funky C30 hatchback will receive a funky new front end for the 2010 model year. The revised hatch will make its official debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, but we’ve got the official images and details ahead of time.
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