2018 Volvo V60 unveiled – new T6 Twin Engine PHEV

Say hello to the latest product to come from Gothenburg, the all-new Volvo V60. Set to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show next month, Volvo’s mid-sized wagon is the second entry in the 60 Series lineup, following in the footsteps of the XC60 and slotting under the larger V90.

Like the XC60 and 90 Series (XC90, S90 and V90) models, the V60 is built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), rather than the XC40‘s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) that’s also shared with Geely. It certainly looks that way from the outside, appearing like a shrunken version of the V90 and sharing its bigger brother’s handsome good looks.

At the front, there’s the large six-point grille with the trademark iron mark and diagonal bar, flanked by slim headlights with the “Thor’s Hammer” LED daytime running lights protruding further inward, like the XC60. A sharper, more aggressive front bumper design give the V60 a sportier look compared to the V90, even without the R-Design appearance package.

Even though it’s 175 mm shorter and just 48 mm lower than the Volvo V90 (with a length of 4,761 mm, a width of 1,850 mm, a height of 1,427 mm and a wheelbase of 2,872 mm), the V60 retains the former’s long, low stance, accentuated by the strong shoulder and simple side surfacing. The tall tail lights, which protrude into the tailgate like on the V90 and XC60, complete the look.

Step inside and you’ll find a clean and elegant interior that appears to have been lifted wholesale from the XC60. As usual, a large nine-inch portrait-format touchscreen for the Sensus infotainment system sits front and centre, flanked by slim vertical air vents. There’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity available, as well as 4G wireless broadband.

This being a Volvo wagon, doubtless you’d be wanting to know how practical the boot is, and the V60 doesn’t disappoint. With a cargo capacity of 529 litres, it’s barely any smaller than the V90’s 560 litres, and is significantly larger than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate‘s 490 litres and the BMW 3 Series Touring‘s 495 litres. Fold the rear seats and luggage space is expanded to 1,364 litres.

The engine lineup includes one petrol and two diesel units, as well as not one, but two plug-in hybrids. Starting with the latter, the familiar T8 Twin Engine PHEV continues to utilise a 2.0 litre supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine, but has been detuned from 320 hp to 303 hp at 6,000 rpm, although it makes the same 400 Nm of torque between 2,200 and 4,800 rpm.

Paired to an 87 hp/240 Nm rear electric motor, an eight-speed automatic transmission, a crankshaft integrated starter/generator (CISG) and a 10.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, the result is a total system output of 390 hp and 640 Nm – 17 hp less than the XC90, S90, V90 and XC60 versions.

New to the Volvo lineup is the T6 Twin Engine, which drops the supercharger from the engine, now making 253 hp at 5,500 rpm and 350 Nm from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm. With the same hybrid gubbins as the T8, total output drops to 340 hp and 590 Nm, but it has the same combined fuel consumption figure of 2.1 litres per 100 km, the same 45 km all-electric range and, inexplicably, the same 4.8-second zero-to-100 km/h time.

Moving to conventional power sources, the T6 AWD petrol uses the same engine as the T8 Twin Engine, but here it makes 310 hp. With the eight-speed auto and a all-wheel drive system, it sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds and has a combined fuel consumption of between 8.1 to 9.0 litres per 100 km on the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle.

On the oil-burning side, there’s a 2.0 litre turbodiesel in 150 hp/320 Nm D3 and 190 hp/400 D4 guises. The entry-level D3 has a zero-to-100 km/h time of 9.9 seconds and has a fuel consumption of between 5.2 to 6.0 litres per 100 km, while the D4’s figures are rated at 7.9 seconds and 5.1 to 5.9 litres per 100 km respectively. Both are front wheel drive and have the option of a six-speed manual gearbox.

Last but not least – certainly not on a Volvo – is safety. The new V60 comes with the same standard-fit driver assistance features as the XC60 and 90 Series models, including City Safety with Autobrake that recognises pedestrians, cyclists and large vehicles. A world-first is the automated braking function to mitigate the severity of oncoming collisions.

There’s also the Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system with improved cornering performance, as well as Run-off Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation and other steering assistance features. The Cross Traffic Alert with auto brake is available as an option.

The V60 will be available on the new Care by Volvo subscription service introduced during the launch of the XC40. This offers access to the car via a monthly flat-fee subscription instead of a lease or flat-out purchase, and Volvo says it makes having a car as transparent, easy and hassle-free as a mobile phone.

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