Test Drive: 2011 Volvo S60 T6
Drive:
Test Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
I was prepared to be disappointed by the S60, I’ll admit that. Companies not normally known for sportiness often try and release “sporty” vehicles and fail miserably on every count. Volvo’s marketing ploy for the S60 labels the model the “naughtiest” of the bunch and promises a losing of driving inhibitions the moment you hit the Start/Stop engine button. I wasn’t buying it. Until I got behind the wheel. The Volvo S60 T6 is sophisticatedly sporty. It’s not brash, or abrasive in any way. And yet, it goes. God, does it go. One minute your doing 50 kph, the next you’re up to 120 and you’ve barely had a chance to look from the road to the speedo. The 3.0-liter, turbo inline six engine pushes out 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft. of torque -- which does give the S60 a naughty streak, no doubt. The speed is incredible and not at all what I expected. Add to that responsive steering and an AWD system that means you can have fun in Volvo no matter what the weather and you’ve got the makings of a great luxury sedan. Of course, as is the case with any Volvo, the safety features were endless from front crash warning to lane departure and blind-spot indicators and even a curve control system that slows you down in corners should the car feel you’ve entered it too quickly to make it out alive. My only concern with the S60 is the suspension. It’s in limbo, and not quite sure what it wants to be. On the one hand it’s a bit plushy and comfy like a luxury sedan should be -- and perfect for long highway trips. And then you hit a bump and your pelvis shatters and you realize it’s sportier than you thought, which is ideal for cornering and spirited driving, but not what you want to feel all the time. I’d love Volvo to incorporate a suspension adjuster like the one featured in BMWs so you can choose when you want to crush your spine and when you want to float on a cloud.
