The Volvo S60 is a compact executive car manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars since 2000. Introduced as the successor to the Volvo S70, the model has been produced in three generations.
The first generation was introduced in 2000 and is based on the Volvo P2 platform. Its estate counterpart is the Volvo V70. A high-performance variant, the S60 R, was introduced in 2002.
The second generation was introduced in 2010; its estate counterpart is the Volvo V60.
The third generation was introduced in 2018 on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture platform. It became the first Volvo model produced in the United States, at the company's plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina. The United States briefly became the sole global source of the S60 sedan after production in China was temporarily halted in early 2019. Production for North America and Europe ended in 2024, while production in China continued for the Chinese and select Asia-Pacific markets.
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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 design of the S60 drew styling cues from the Volvo ECC concept car and the Volvo S80.
The Volvo S60 was released in 2000 (2001 model year) being the company's new generation sports sedan. The S60 is aimed to mainly compete in Europe with the BMW 3 Series (E46), the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W203) 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 (SIPS) 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 (WHIPS), 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 (depending on optional external amplifier) 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 (ULEV) 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 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 (which was no longer torque-restricted).
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 (available as an upgrade to the standard 17-inch wheels of the same design), blue faced "R" gauges, standard HID headlights, as well as the Four-C suspension system.
Semi-active suspension with Four-C (a short name for "Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept") 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 (dark blue) or Gobi (light tan). A third choice was offered as a natural leather option, Atacama (dark orange), 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
+Petrol enginesModelEngine codeYear(s)Power at rpmTorque at rpmDisplacementComment2.4 B5244S2 2001–2009 at 4500 at 3300 Inline 52.4 B5244S 2001–2009 at 6000 at 4500 Inline 52.0T B5204T 2001–2003 at 2200–4800 Inline 5 with turbo2.0T B5204T5 2001–2009 at 5500 at 1850–5000 Inline 5 with turbo B5244T3 2001–2003 at 1800–5000 Inline 5 with turbo B5254T2 2003–2009 at 5000 at 1500–4500 Inline 5 with turboT5 2.3 B5234T3 2001–2004 at 2400–5200 Inline 5 with turboT5 2.4 B5244T5 2005–2009 at 5500 at 2100–5000 Inline 5 with turboR 6-speed manual B5254T4 2004–2007 at 5400 at 1850–5700 Inline 5 with turboR 5-speed auto B5254T4 2004–2005 at 1800–6000 Inline 5 with turboR 6-speed auto B5254T4 2006–2007 at 1950–5250 Inline 5 with turbo
+Diesel enginesModelEngine codeYear(s)PowerTorque at rpmDisplacementComment2.4D D5244T2 2002–2006 at 1750–3000 Inline 5 with turboD5 D5244T 2001–2004 at 1750–2750 Inline 5 with turboD D5244T7 2006–2009 at 1750–2250 Inline 5 with turbo2.4D D5244T5 2005–2009 at 1750–2750 Inline 5 with turboD5 D5244T4 2004–2009 at 2000–2750 Inline 5 with turbo
+GasModelEngine codeYear(s)Power at rpmTorque at rpmDisplacementComment2.4 Bi-Fuel CNG B5244SG 2002–2008 at 5800 at 4500 CNG/petrol2.4 Bi-Fuel LPG B5244SG2 2002–2005 at 5100 at 4500 LPG/petrol
Second generation (2010)
The second generation S60 began production in Ghent, Belgium on May 17, 2010, with an expected annual production of 90,000 vehicles. Official photos were released in November 2009, and the car was publicly unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. It debuted as a 2011 model in North America. The second generation S60 also arrived with the 5th generation Haldex AWD system. More differences in the second generation S60 include the new large Volvo iron symbol, parallel to the grille LED day running lamps and larger spaced letters in the brand name on rear.
The engine range of the S60 and V60 comprises four petrol engines and three diesels. The engines available are the T3, T4, T5 and T6 petrol engines and D3, D5 and 1.6D DRIVe diesel engines, the latter of which has Stop Start Technology to increase the efficiency of the engine. The 2.4-litre D5 plug-in hybrid version, fitted with a five-cylinder diesel engine and a 50 kW electric motor, was scheduled for sale in Europe by November 2012.
The Volvo S60 and V60 come with Volvo's City Safety system as standard, which is the same system fitted to the related Volvo XC60. This system can automatically apply the brakes in the event of an impending collision in "City Traffic" below . Also, a new safety feature named "Pedestrian Detection" (available on both the V60 and S60) detects people in front of the car and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not react in time. The sedan used Volvo's new design language already seen in the Volvo XC60 concept.
2013 T5 engine update In 2013, the T5 engine was revamped before the launch of the Drive-E arrival. Among the tweaks to the T5 power plant is a boost in engine compression to 9.5:1 from 9.0, engine torque peaks at 4200 rpm and engine management changes provide faster gear changes and upshifts when the 6-speed automatic gearbox is in the sport mode. Output remains the same over 2012 at and of torque, although there is a provision for overboost from the turbo which bumps the torque number to . The changes in compression ratio helps the S60 T5 deliver extra in the city and combined cycle. Front-drive versions are rated at city/ highway for a combined of , while the AWD model is less across the board. Volvo also says the T5 AWD is good for a sprint of 6.6 seconds, while the front-drive version is 0.2 seconds quicker.
2014 model year update