Volvo S60R test

[Seansene]

Now that I've madly driven a machine with three times the power of my everyday car, how can I go back? And trust me I'm not the only one. A certain un-named Bee-Em owner now finds his Five too slow, not that I blame him. The cause for our anguish? We've just tasted Volvo's S60R...

 

It started innocently enough. We booked the test, had a light lunch beforehand, and trooped down to the dealer. And there in a corner it stood: metallic black specimen, just a hint of agression over the standard S60: a slightly longer nose, very discreet spoilers and side skirts, a couple of 'R' badges and of course, huge 18 inch wheels shod with Pirelli P-Zero Rossos. What, no flared wheel arches or rear wings? Sorry bengs, the only things that will whet your appetite are the blue watch-like dials with bevel edges that make up the instrument panel. But for the that and the six-speed "spaceball" gear lever (oh, and the take-it-or-leave-it leather colour scheme), you could be sitting in your 'regular' 180hp Volvo. So, a proper Q car then - attention-cravers need not apply.

 

Except that this isn't grand-dad's car, and you know that the moment you start that engine. Slightly vocal and urgent at idle, it hints at better things to come, while managing to stay refined. Oh, that's what the 'R' stands for, by the way, not the ubiquitous 'Racing' used elsewhere. Clutch in, engage first, apply a little throttle, then release clutch and... stall. If this sounds like I need driving lessons, well ok, maybe. But in my defence, I was not the only one to do this, so at least misery has company.

 

Thing is, the clutch is not only heavy, but also has an on-off response at its rather high biting point. This lack of progression can lead to some embarrassing results at the traffic lights, particularly when you're trying to jio that M3 next to you - remember the caltex Vortex advert? Next to the clutch, the gearshift is remarkably light, if a little too narrowly-spaced laterally, and this heavy/light combination of partners is quite incongruous really. Maybe it's something you could used to, maybe not, but more's the pity as it interferes with what's an otherwise precise and effortless driving experience.

 

Ok, gripe over. Once you're on the move, the in-gear acceleration really astounds. On the highway this car swallows other traffic whole, whether you're in third, fourth or fifth gear - with max torque of 400Nm available from 1950-5250rpm, it doesn't matter which. I can't (or won't) say how fast I was going when we ate a Lexus GS300 alive on a

sweeping bend, but boy was it fun! The much-touted Four-C (Continously Controlled Chassis Concept) chassis responds very well to broad corners, with negligible roll in Sport mode, even with five of us on board. You can feel the rear wheels doing their part to prevent the terminal understeer of front-drivers, that's the security of the Haldex AWD system. Switch to Comfort, and the ride is truly amazing for something riding on 235/40 ZR18 rubbers. We tried it momentarily on Advanced, but it got all jittery, and frankly quite unbecoming of a vehicle with four doors and leather seats. One for track day, then. Mainly though, this adaptive suspension really works, I just hope the electronics hold up from watching all the sensors 500 times a second...

 

Mind you, a launch from standstill isn't really anything to write home about, not for the first two seconds at least, because there still is noticeable lag. But once the big KKK turbo starts spooling, it will reel in the horizon faster than you can say "Watch out for that... " Max power of 300 horses tops off at 5,500 rpm, so it's not particularly revvy. Then again, you can leave it in fourth and let all the mid-range grunt do the work.

 

We can also vouch for effectiveness of the massive 330mm brake discs, with four-pot Brembos and ABS - our lunches were about to make a return trip up our throats to wave a happy hello. Which would have badly messed up the lovely interior in the best Swedish traditions - thoughtful, logical, yet warm and cosy all at the same time. The front

seats come in for special mention, being so seriously comfortable that I'd happily spend all day in their soft atacama leather. And thanks to wide-ranging adjustable steering and seats, a good driving position is easily found.

 

Speaking of steering, it's a speed-sensitive unit that, like everything else about the car, does what it says on the wrapper. At low speeds you notice that it's unfeasibly (Corolla-like?) light, making you wonder how it's ever going to cope on a fast corner. But cope it does, and it weights up nicely as the dial numbers rise. It's slightly

detatched though, missing a tactile feel that would imbue even greater confidence when the going gets tough.

 

The rest of the cabin is a peach, although it has to be said however, that rear leg- and shoulder room isn't overly generous for a car with a 2715mm wheelbase. Also, when designing something with such sporting pretentions, Volvo should have looked at some form of lateral support for back-seat drivers - the three of them were inevitably bunched up toward the middle, owing to the high-ish side bolsters of the seat cushion.

 

Overall, the S60R is hugely competent, if a little lacking in feedback. Kind of like Kimi Raikkonen delivering a flawless race but not being able to tell you quite how he did it. Still, it is obscenely effective for what 90% of drivers will need 90% of the time, and that's good enough for me. To top it off, it is actually something of a bargain in Singapore. Ok, $204,000 cannot be considered anyone's idea of spare change, but that sum is still a third of a COE less than to what Audi charges for the lower spec TT Coupe, which incidently has 40% less power, half the number of wheels driven, much less cabin space (duh) and I dare say a less accomplished chassis.

 

In the UK, where the TT goes for at least 20% less than the Volvo, you could flip a coin over the merits of style versus space. Over here though, the choice is painfully obvious. But since I don't have that kind of dosh in the first place, I suppose the point is moot. I guess I'll stick with my trusty Focus then. But dammit, why does it feel so slow now?

 

Many thanks to Bernard Teng from SM Motors for arranging the test and keeping his enthusiasm (and compusure) throughout. Great service!

 

Layout: transverse front-engine, AWD

Engine: 2435cc, I-5, high-pressure turbo

300 hp at 5,500rpm, 400Nm of torque at 1950-5250 rpm

Transmission: 6-spd man (opt 5-spd auto with manual mode)

Edited August 8, 2003 by Seansene

[S2P2]

so has the unnamed beamer driver decided to let go of his five and his A for a S60R???

 

beautiful car, the estate version is even nicer......

[Seansene]

yeah, esp with an extra 40mm legroom

[S2P2]

and not to mention the barely visible subwoofer they are throwing in.......

 

love the rims too.....very nice. but realised that the blue leather will go better. most of the threads on the door panels and the dash is in blue.....and it certainly will not go with that orange leather........

[Seansene]

It's actually a dark grey. And who pays attention to the trim when there's the road rushing at you?

[S2P2]

me lor.....i scrutinise everything mah i scrutinise till their T4 hazard light cannot off

 

not to mention the dials are blue too mah........in the catalogue got blue leather leh.....i think the 5 driver also saw and also thinks its nice too......

[Magfocus]

Wow, you guys went to test it??

[Seansene]

Yeah, major rush man!

[Magfocus]

 

Gotta go try it when it gets to Aust

 

How much was it again?

[Seansene]

yup, S$204k. Put into perspective, it's not so bad. You won't find similar performance from a conti for at least another $50k or so...

[Mojoe]

Great review dude!!

 

Ever consider changing your day job?

 

Really good stuff!

[Hc1883]

A very detailed and good write-up there, Seansene!!

 

I've also made arrangements with my Volvo SE and will be trying out the S60R sometime next week. Your report has only served to whet my enthusiasm and appetite further!!

 

Anyway, with regards to the Atacama leather interior, you can change it to the normal one, which is either in cream/ivory or blue. The only thing when you do that is you'll only get the S60R/V70R early next year. This year's allotment is for the Atacama leather interior only. Also, there is a S$2,000 discount from the selling price when you opt for the normal leather interior instead of Atacama.

 

There are not many options you can specify with the R since it's so well-equipped already. Only options to add, if any, are as follows : Suspension Lowering Kit, Sunroof etc.

 

By the way, did they raise the price again? Last weekend when I was there, the selling price of the S60R was at S$203,000 inclusive of COE. Is it at S$204,000 now?

Edited August 8, 2003 by Hc1883

[Yttrium]

Great review!

A certain motoring journo thinks you could write for a living

 

Now we know where that turbocharged five-cylinder howl came from while we were having lunch ...

[Seansene]

Thanks, you got lobang?

Edited August 8, 2003 by Seansene

[Seansene]

"Ever consider changing your day job?"

 

All the time! Wouldn't it be great though, to drive cars for a living?

[Seansene]

Actually I quite like the Atacama leather, gives it a nice natural hue without going all woody... And if I had the moolah I'd probably get the V70R with it's extra space. Of course it might suffer a little dynamically. And as for the price, yes it could be $203k (my memory always gets me into trouble), you seem to be really into it!

Edited August 8, 2003 by Seansene

[Yttrium]

From what I know there are only a handful of full timers.. Most are freelance. And they'll tell you it pays peanuts

[Seansene]

And I'll tell you I'm a monkey