Always at the forefront of safety innovations, Volvo has launched its new S60 model with available Pedestrian Detection & Avoidance technology.
The newcomer is due in Australia late this year.
Volvo says its Pedestrian detection with full auto brake is a “groundbreaking technological solution”. The system can avoid a collision with a pedestrian at speeds up to 35km/h – faster than that, the focus is on slowing the car as much as possible.
The driver is first alerted by an audible warning combined with a flashing light on the head-up display. Simultaneously the brakes are pre-charged and if the driver fails to react, full braking power is automatically applied.
Also standard is City Safety, as similar system designed to prevent the usual nose-to-tail crashes that often clog urban freeways and roads. The S60 detects if the car ahead slows down or stops and automatically applies the brakes.
In addition, S60 debuts Volvo’s Advanced Stability Control. With a new roll angle sensor, a skid is detected earlier allowing Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) to operate faster and with greater precision.
Volvo’s DSTC itself has also been improved by adding Corner Traction Control. On slippery roads, when accelerating hard in corners, this system brakes the inner wheel while still accelerating – this reduces understeer.
The S60 is the first Volvo to offer the company’s new 2.0-litre GTDi direct injection petrol engine. Featuring an exhaust manifold and turbo housing made from sheet steel instead of heavier cast iron, the 2.0-litre engine powers the entry-level S60 and is good for 149kW/300Nm.
S60’s other petrol engine is the T6, a 3.0-litre six cylinder providing 24kW/440Nm.
There are two turbo-diesels – the 118kW/400Nm 2.0-litre five-cylinder and the 151kW/420Nm 2.4-litre five cylinder.
Volvo will introduce further engines during the first year of S60 production including the DRIVe 1.6-litre four cylinder with fuel consumption of only 4.3l/100kms.
Australians will get the Dynamic chassis set-up (same as the European specification) while American and Asian markets will take the Comfort version. The Dynamic chassis has stiffer suspension and damper settings and there is a sport version available as an option.
Software in the Haldex AWD system has been upgraded for the four-wheel-drive S50 models.
Overall, Volvo claims the new S60 delivers the most dynamic driving experience of any Volvo model so far.
Styling is certainly evolutionary with many cues from the current S60 model – but altogether more modern and aerodynamic. The waistline is more curvy, the roof is slimmer and the C-Pillar stretches back to the tail-lights.
Inside the look is more modern, there is extra leg room in the rear and the boot opening is 107mm wider than the current model.
And the infotainment system is a big improvement with a five or seven inch colour screen on the dashboard and an available 12-speaker Anaview Dolby surround sound using Audyssey Laboratories MultEQ technology – as found in some of Sweden’s best home theatres.
Volvo Cars Australia will announce the local specifications and pricing closer to launch.
