The graceful contoured lines of the current generation S60 continues the design progression past the trademarked boxy profile of Volvos past. Though an inch longer than the previous model, the latest S60 appears more compact giving the impression of a more manageable sized car in tighter situations. A distinct forward pitch in the car's profile gives the S60 a slightly aggressive stance, however the car feels very level, well balanced and exhibits minimal body roll. Volvo succeeds in delivering a sporty ride without sacrificing comfort, a character trait most likely attributed to the Dynamic chassis setup which comes standard.
Interior detail of the four door coupe doesn't disappoint, another example of the exceptional build quality we've come to expect from the Swedish car maker. The combination of high grade materials and precise construction convey a comfortable and refined feel. Seating appointments are well trimmed in exotic grained leather and make time sitting in traffic much more bearable - dare I say enjoyable. The front driver and passenger seats are equipped with Volvo's trademarked Whiplash Protection System and include three levels of heated comfort for colder months. Communication, entertainment and navigation interfaces are all displayed on well-placed dash mounted LCD screen located at the top of the center stack. I found the dual view feature backup camera very useful when backing into tighter than normal parking spots. Thoughtful controls for clever features, like the retractable rear passenger headrests, are all kept within a short reach. Overall, the S60 is a very driver friendly car with intuitive controls and multiple modes of feedback.
Under the hood, the transverse-mounted turbocharged 3.0 liter mill provides a healthy amount of power. As tested, the S60 tipped the scales at just over 3800 pounds but with 300 hp and a relatively short 109-inch wheelbase, the stout little four door squirts through traffic with ease. Power delivery is crisp and steering feedback is sharp and free from any noticeable torque steer, a perfect pairing in a very predictable and capable all-wheel drive chassis. The turbocharged in-line six pushes the car from a dead stop to 60 mph in brief five and a half seconds and tops triple digit speeds in a just over thirteen. Performance numbers like these not only puts the S60 T6 on par with comparable BMW, Audi, and Mercedes models, but also serves as a shot over the bow of the German automakers, illustrating how the 2011 Volvo brings more to the game than just safety.
My Vibrant Copper Metallic test mule was equipped with every safety option possible including Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Pedestrian Detection. Continuing with their track record of ground breaking innovations, Volvo's Pedestrian Detection is a feature that combines a radar sensor and windshield mounted camera to detect foot traffic in the vehicle's path. An audible alarm paired with a flashing red heads up indicator alerts the driver of a possible pedestrian collision. If the driver doesn't respond, the Full Auto Brake feature kicks in applying the brakes with full force. Although I wasn't able to find any volunteers to test the detection system, I trust it works as well as countless other revolutionary safety devices born from Volvo test labs.