Sub-50K T4, frugal D3 diesel for Volvo’s S60, V60

VOLVO has added new entry-level T4 petrol and frugal D3 diesel variants to its popular S60 sedan and V60 wagon line-up, bringing the price of entry to its mid-level executive range below $50,000, while the rest of the range has received equipment upgrades.

From now until the end of the year, a special introductory offer on T4 variants means buyers get drive-away pricing of $49,950 for the S60 and $52,950 for the V60, further widening the price gap between the Swedish contenders and their German competitors in the shape of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-class.

In addition, all S60/V60 variants sold by the end of 2011 now include an attractive care package comprising a five-year warranty plus five years of free scheduled servicing and roadside assistance.

There is now more standard kit on all variants, with the five-inch colour screen originally offered on T5 and D5 variants upgraded to seven-inches across the range and two-stage child booster cushions on outboard rear seats become standard on the V60.

Blind-spot warning, swivelling headlights, 18-inch ‘Ixion’ alloy wheels and satellite navigation become standard kit on mid-spec T5 R-Design variants.

A revised range-wide Teknik option pack ($5000) includes electric adjustment for the passenger seat, blind-spot warning, swivelling headlights and ‘watch dial’ style instruments with chrome-effect typeface.

Left: S60 T4. Below: V60 D3.

T6 models now get a standard alarm system, PCC two-way key fob with car status display and keyless entry/start, blind-spot warning, swivelling headlights, front parking sensors and rear lip spoiler.

T6 Teknik and R-Design variants also get a standard reversing camera, adaptive cruise control with collision warning, full auto brake, pedestrian detection and queue assist.

The new 1.6-litre T4 four-cylinder petrol engine is exclusively matched with a six-speed Powershift dual-clutch transmission and sends 132kW of power and 240Nm of torque to the front wheels, resulting in a nine-second dash to 100km/h.

Combined fuel consumption is 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres, with CO2 output rated at 173 grams per kilometre.

The 2.0-litre five-cylinder D3 turbo-diesel puts out 120kW and 400Nm, drives the front wheels through a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, resulting in 0-100km/h in 9.2 seconds (compared with 7.7 seconds for the more powerful 2.4-litre D5).

The respectable, if not earth-shattering performance of the entry-level diesel engine is backed by frugal fuel consumption of 5.9L/100km (S60) and 6.0L/100km (V60), while respective CO2 emissions are 155g/km and 160g/km.

As GoAuto has reported, Volvo is working on introducing fuel-saving idle-stop technology to models fitted with the D3 engine and Geartronic transmission combination, although no Australian marked launch is confirmed.

Volvo sales are up a healthy 14.3 per cent to the end of August, with 3622 cars leaving showrooms. The XC60 and XC90 SUVs lead the brand’s sales charts with 1143 and 864 units apiece, while the S60 – introduced in December last year – and V60 – launched in March – combined amount to 764 sales.

Volvo Car Australia managing director Matt Braid said the T4 and D3 variants will “further cement the S60 and V60 as genuine contenders in their respective classes”.

“Both the D3 and T4 represent excellent value for money as the new entry level vehicles into the S60 and V60 range especially the T4, coming in under $50,000 for a luxury sedan.”

Volvo S60 sedan andV60 wagon pricing:
S60 sedan
T4	$48,990
T4 Teknik	$53,990
T5	$51,990
T5 Teknik	$56,990
T5 R-Design	$59,990
D3	$54,990
D3 Teknik	$59,490
D5	$57,950
T6	$64,990
T6 Teknik	$69,990
T6 R-Design	$72,990
V60 wagon
T4	$51,990
T4 Teknik	$56,990
T5	$54,990
T5 Teknik	$59,990
T5 R-Design	$62,990
D3	$57,990
D3 Teknik	$62,490
D5	$60,950
T6	$67,990
T6 Teknik	$72,990
T6 R-Design	$75,990