Volvo S60


The Volvo S60 is a compact executive car manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars from 2000 to 2024.
The first generation was launched in autumn of 2000 in order to replace the S70 and was based on the P2 platform, and the similarly designed estate version, the Volvo V70. A high-performance engine and sports-oriented suspension version called S60 R was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 2002. Styling cues were taken from the ECC concept car and the S80.
The second generation was released in 2010 for the 2011 model year and has its own estate version, known as the Volvo V60.
The third generation joined the Volvo line-up in 2018 for the 2019 model year. It is built on a shortened version of the Scalable Product Architecture platform, in America's first Volvo factory in Ridgeville, South Carolina. The US briefly became the sole global source of the S60 sedan after production in China was temporarily ended in early 2019. The final production run came standard with a 247-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine or as a plug-in-hybrid with 456 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and 41 miles of pure electric driving range. With traditional sedans steadily losing ground in many markets, European and North American sales came to an end in late 2024, but production in Daqing, China, continued for Asia and Australia.

First generation (2000)

The S60 was built on Volvo's P2 platform, which was shared with other Volvo models like the S80, V70, XC70 and finally the XC90.
The Volvo S60 was released in 2000 being the company's new generation sports sedan. The S60 is aimed to mainly compete in Europe with the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Alfa Romeo 156. Unlike its rivals, the Volvo S60 continued production for 9 years with multiple facelifts. When it was introduced the appearance was unlike the squared vehicles offered in previous years, and continued the new design tradition introduced by the larger S80, utilizing a cab forward approach and was more organic appearing with a pronounced shelf along the beltline that ran the length of the vehicle, achieving a drag coefficient. Volvo continued its safety tradition, offering front and rear integrated crumple zones, driver and front passenger dual threshold airbags with a collapsible three-stage steering column, Side Impact Protection System supplemented with air bags for driver and front passenger, along with a side curtain airbag for front and rear passengers, anti-submarine seats, five padded head restraints with Whiplash Protection System, and automatic seat belt pretensioners while front belts also have height adjustment.
In 2004 PremAir™ was introduced as a standard feature to the exterior radiator surface which converts up to 75 percent of ground level ozone in the radiator cooling air into oxygen, while the Interior Air Quality System cleans the air inside, detects for pollutants and automatically recirculates in comparison to the air outside. The upholstery was available in taupe, light sand or graphite with indigo inserts and the leathers were tanned using natural plant materials. The S60 sheet metal content can be recycled, along with other metals that achieved an 85 overall percentage. Dual zone climate control and heated front seats along with a three position drivers memory setting were optional, and anti-smash and grab laminated side windows were available. Two, three and one aluminum alloy wheel choices were available.
The S60 came standard with Volvo's own radio unit, the HU-613, the HU-803 and was later upgraded to the HU-650 and an optional extra HU-850 unit. The HU-850 unit features a 225 or 335-watt power output with three presets: 2CH, 3CH and Dolby Digital Pro Logic II Surround Sound. The Four-C chassis from the S60 R became an option on some S60s.
In 2004 the T5 engine was reengineered from 2.3 to 2.4 liters, installing continuously variable valve timing and achieving an increase of, while the 2.5 liter engine was given a Ultra-low-emission vehicle certification, and a modified turbo in the D5 model also increased the maximum claimed power from 163 PS to 185 PS, while electronic brakeforce distribution was installed for emergency braking situations. The Haldex-sourced computer controlled AWD system, which was standard equipment in the S60R, was optionally available mated to the 2.5 liter engine. Three transmissions were offered, the Geartronic automatic which offered five speeds that adapts to driving style or the "Auto-Stick" offers a manual mode that offered the ability to select gears by moving the gearstick forward or back. The second automatic five speed transmission was available without the manual mode feature. A more traditional manual five speed transmission was the third selection offered.
The S60 was refreshed in 2005. The exterior was updated with body-colored side moldings and bumpers with chrome linings, as well as new headlamps replacing the original with black housing, with optional HID headlights. The interior received some updates as well, with new seats, trim, and an updated center console. The S60 went through a final facelift in 2008 with full body-colored bumper and door inserts and larger emblem in the front and larger spaced out "V-O-L-V-O" letters in the rear. The interior featured a new pattern upholstery which differs from its original pattern.

First-generation models

S60 Police specification (UK & EU)

Police specification models came about through Volvo's extensive work alongside the users of the vehicles and Police Fleet Management departments. As a result, the Police specification vehicles have a striking difference from original showroom model that sometimes the Volvo S60 is used as police cars.
Firstly the suspension was up-rated to deal with the demands of Police work; this included fitting the front suspension of the D5 model variant. Nivomat self-levelling suspension was also fitted to the rear to ensure correct geometry of the vehicle, regardless of the weight carried. On early models, the clutch was also replaced with the stronger D5 unit.
A larger specification battery and 110A alternator was also fitted to run all the extra equipment, along with a dedicated Police fuse box in the boot. Extra wiring looms are also fitted specially for the Police radios and other equipment, including CCTV cameras. Additional electrical noise suppression has been added so as not to interfere with the sensitive electronics the police use.
The speedometers in the vehicles are calibrated from the factory and do not require recalibration unless the wheel and overall rolling diameters are changed.
vented front disc brakes were also fitted alongside special brake pads specially designed to cope with high-speed pursuits.
During 2001–2004 the 2.3 litre T5 engine was used and in 2005–2009 the 2.4 litre T5 engine was used. Also beyond common speculation and myths, the engines are not chipped or modified specially for police use: they are complete factory spec but in 'exceptional cases' the speed limiter may have been removed.

S60 R

First introduced in 2004, Volvo's S60 R used a Haldex computer controlled all-wheel-drive system mated to a / inline-5 which sends 95 percent of the torque to the front wheels under normal driving conditions and can send up to 30 percent to the rear wheels as necessary. The 2004–2005 models came with a 6-speed manual transmission, or an available 5-speed automatic which allowed only torque in 1st and 2nd gears. The 2006–2007 models came with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.
Other aspects which set the R apart from standard S60s were the large Brembo front and rear four-piston brakes, 18-inch 5-spoke "Pegasus" wheels, blue faced "R" gauges, standard HID headlights, as well as the Four-C suspension system.
Semi-active suspension with Four-C allows the user to select from three modes: Comfort, Sport, and Advanced. "Comfort" attempts to soften the car over bumps, while "Advanced" firms the suspension considerably and gives more aggressive throttle response - a setting Volvo implies is for use on the race track. This is accomplished through a drive by wire throttle, allowing the same pedal travel to result in different performance when the appropriate mode is selected, electronically controlled shock absorbers that can adjust themselves 500 times a second, and a complex series of sensors throughout the body of the vehicle. Volvo collaborated with high-tech system developer Ohlins Racing AB and shock absorber manufacturer Monroe for the self-adjusting shock absorbers.
The R had three themed interior color options with upholstery in soft leather supplied by Bridge of Weir, and they were Nordkapp or Gobi. A third choice was offered as a natural leather option, Atacama, available for an additional charge. The natural leather choice was said to have the thickness and feel of a baseball glove.
The small trunk lid spoiler that was standard on the S60 R created a 20% increased downforce at the rear wheels at high speeds compared to the standard S60s. The S60 Rs have a 0.29 Drag coefficient, compared to the standard S60's 0.28, due to the larger lower front bumper spoiler to support the secondary intercooler.
Another Volvo factory option for only the S60 R was a body kit which included front bumper splitters, side skirts and a rear valance, color matched to the body. The body kit was only available with certain body colors and in certain markets.
The S60 R continued the tradition of "R" cars for Volvo beginning in 1995 with the introduction of the 850 T-5 R.

Engines

ModelEngine codeYearPower at rpmTorque at rpmDisplacementComment
2.4B5244S22001–2009 at 4500 at 3300Inline 5
2.4B5244S2001–2009 at 6000 at 4500Inline 5
2.0TB5204T2001–2003 at 2200–4800Inline 5 with turbo
2.0TB5204T52001–2009 at 5500 at 1850–5000Inline 5 with turbo
B5244T32001–2003 at 1800–5000Inline 5 with turbo
B5254T22003–2009 at 5000 at 1500–4500Inline 5 with turbo
T5 2.3B5234T32001–2004 at 2400–5200Inline 5 with turbo
T5 2.4B5244T52005–2009 at 5500 at 2100–5000Inline 5 with turbo
R 6-speed manualB5254T42004–2007 at 5400 at 1850–5700Inline 5 with turbo
R 5-speed autoB5254T42004–2005 at 1800–6000Inline 5 with turbo
R 6-speed autoB5254T42006–2007 at 1950–5250Inline 5 with turbo

ModelEngine codeYearPowerTorque at rpmDisplacementComment
2.4DD5244T22002–2006 at 1750–3000Inline 5 with turbo
D5D5244T2001–2004 at 1750–2750Inline 5 with turbo
DD5244T72006–2009 at 1750–2250Inline 5 with turbo
2.4DD5244T52005–2009 at 1750–2750Inline 5 with turbo
D5D5244T42004–2009 at 2000–2750Inline 5 with turbo

ModelEngine codeYearPower at rpmTorque at rpmDisplacementComment
2.4 Bi-Fuel CNGB5244SG2002–2008 at 5800 at 4500CNG/petrol
2.4 Bi-Fuel LPGB5244SG22002–2005 at 5100 at 4500LPG/petrol