Volvo has given its 60 range, consisting of the S60 sedan, V60 estate and the XC60 SUV, a thorough facelift as well as important technology and safety updates.
Exterior
Although on first appearance the facelift might seem minor – as contemporary automotive facelifts tend to do – the 60s have received several changes. The front of the car has undergone a redesign that incorporates a new bonnet and revisions to the headlamps, grille and bumper. At the rear the cars have undergone similar updates. As before, buyers can also opt for the sportier stance of the R-Design trim on all three model derivatives.
Interior
Changes to the interior include new wood inlays, headliner and silk metal frames around the air vents. Otherwise the interior has the proven clean and simplistic layout we have come to expect of Volvo. However, it is the safety and technology updates that made this facelift from Volvo stand out.
Technology and safety
Paddle shift buttons are now optional on the automatic transmissions. We were told that this feature has been added due to customer demand, and yes, because competitors offer it as well. Interestingly, once these buttons are used, the transmission will actually shift faster owing to different transmission software programming from that of the standard automatic. The result is a fraction of a second improvement in acceleration.
Volvo’s sensus connected touch affords the driver internet connectivity via the 7-inch display while the Bluetooth system will stream your music directly from your phone.
The lighting system now offers active high beam assist. The system detects if a car is approaching, or if you are passing a car. Once detected, the light system will made sure this vehicle is not blinded by the Volvo’s lights without dipping to low beam, ensuring the driver has maximum visibility.
Volvo’s blind spot information system – which informs the driver if a car is approaching in its blind spot – has also been updated. Previously it used a camera underneath the side mirrors to pick up approaching traffic. Now the system makes use of a radar situated on the outer rear corners of the car. This means the radar can detect cars that approach from up to 70 metres away.
There are several other updates as well, including new pedestrian detection technology that also detects cyclists (important in a country like South Africa, where cycling is very popular) and adaptive cruise control and distance alert.
2015 XC90
I asked Volvo if there is any update regarding its aging XC90 SUV. They confirmed that the new model will be unveiled next year and will arrive in South Africa by 2015. It is said to feature an impressive range of new safety features while the dashboard will offer an “iPad-type interface”.
Pricing
S60:
S60 T3 Manual Essential R329 600
S60 T3 Manual Excel R334 500
S60 T3 Manual Elite R350 500
S60 T3 Powershift Excel R355 400
S60 T4 Manual Excel R358 100
S60 T3 Powershift Elite R369 300
S60 T4 Manual Elite R374 100
S60 T4 Powershift Excel R375 500
S60 D4 Manual Excel R381 500
S60 T4 Powershift Elite R391 500
S60 D4 Geartronic Excel R397 500
S60 D4 Manual Elite R397 500
S60 D4 Geartronic Elite R413 600
S60 T5 Powershift Excel R430 100
S60 T5 Powershift Elite R446 100
S60 T5 Powershift R-Design R454 100
S60 D5 Geartronic Elite R457 500
S60 D5 Geartronic R-Design R465 500
S60 T6 Geartronic AWD Elite R518 800
S60 T6 Geartronic AWD R-Design R526 700
V60:
V60 T3 Manual Essential R340 500
V60 T3 Manual Excel R345 400
V60 T3 Manual Elite R361 400
V60 T3 Powershift Excel R367 100
V60 T4 Manual Excel R369 000
V60 T3 Powershift Elite R380 700
V60 T4 Manual Elite R385 000
V60 T4 Powershift Excel R386 800
V60 D4 Manual Excel R392 100
V60 T4 Powershift Elite R402 900
V60 D4 Geartronic Excel R406 200
V60 D4 Manual Elite R408 100
V60 D4 Geartronic Elite R422 200
V60 T5 Powershift Excel R441 000
V60 T5 Powershift Elite R457 000
V60 D5 Geartronic Elite R468 900
V60 D5 Geartronic R-Design R476 900
V60 T6 Geartronic AWD Elite R529 900
V60 T6 Geartronic AWD R-Design R537 900
XC60:
XC60 D4 Manual Essential R464 800
XC60 D4 Manual Excel R472 100
XC60 T5 Powershift Essential R479 600
XC60 D4 Geartronic Essential R480 000
XC60 D4 Manual Elite R481 000
XC60 T5 Powershift Excel R486 800
XC60 D4 Geartronic Excel R487 300
XC60 T5 Powershift Elite R495 700
XC60 D4 Geartronic Elite R496 200
XC60 D5 Geartronic AWD Excel R546 300
XC60 D5 Geartronic AWD Elite R555 200
XC60 D5 Geartronic AWD R-Design R577 200
XC60 T6 Geartronic AWD Excel R591 700
XC60 T6 Geartronic AWD Elite R600 600
XC60 T6 Geartronic AWD R-Design R622 600
