carblog888: Driving Impressions: New Volvo V60 T5 R-DESIGN Comfort

New Volvo V60 T5 R-DESIGN Comfort - the "SPORTWAGON" view

The segment of vans, or rather, the stations wagons, is very successful in Europe while in Brazil the options are becoming increasingly scarce. Taken by some as car or tiozinho mother, Volvo shows with the new V60 T5 R-Design Dynamic thinking that this is a thing of the past. Classified as "SportWagon", the V60 comes to market and aligning modern design footprint sport and arouse the interest of many young people. Check initial impressions when driving the model.

Facing the New Volvo V60, brought to Brazil with the brand of style package R-Design versions in all, we notice immediately that it is a sports car essence and young. The front is similar to the S60 sedan model with which it shares the platform and components with aggressive headlights and bumper differential.

On the side, aluminum details are present in the glasses frame moldings as well as the covers of sports mirrors and wheels of 18 poelgadas. The waistline is high and merges well with the design of the roof, which ultimately passing the feeling of being a larger car.

At the rear, emphasizing the flashlights in LEDs arranged horizontally. Complete the sporty air extractors and dual exhaust outlets.

Versions

The Volvo V60 arrives in Brazil in versions T5 R-Design Dynamic and Comfort, both equipped with the 2.0 engine 4-cylinder in-line turbocharged and direct injection that generates 240 horsepower and 32.6 lb.-ft. of torque. The exchange is available only automated dual-clutch Powershift six-speed manual shift option. With this mechanical assembly, the "tiozinho" behind the wheel need only 7.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h.

There is also an option more nervous, T6 R-Design. Besides having all wheel drive, this version brings top-line engine under the hood the 3.0 turbo that yields 304 horsepower and torque of 44.8 Nm which works in conjunction with the transmission Geartronic six-speed automatic with sequential exchanges. In this version, a "mother" apressadinha for example, need 6.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h.

A more affordable version, the T5 R-Design Comfort comes well equipped as standard bringing the sound system with eight high-performance speakers with iPod connection / USB, digital air conditioning, sports seats with leather upholstery and the steering wheel. The intermediate version, the T5 R-Design Dynamic, yet brings adaptive xenon headlights, twilight and rain sensors, xenon adaptive headlights (increase visibility on curves), electric seat with memory for the driver and electric sunroof.

The top-line version V60 T6 R-Design, and all items of T5 versions, features adaptive cruise control system (which manages speed and distance from the car in front), audio system (RSE) with screen seven inches, DVD and GPS, power seats with memory for driver and passenger, parking sensors front and rear, and reversing camera that shows the obstacles and direction.

The V60 T6 R-Design also has the Pedestrian Detector, system to identify the presence of pedestrians in front of the car applies the brakes automatically at speeds up to 35 km / h, and the lane change assistant alerts the driver to detect unintentional drift of the trajectory beyond the player signs, which among other warnings, alert to the maximum speed of the track, for example.

The only caveat is to be made in relation to the GPS item that is not available as standard in any version, being offered only as optional. According to executives at Volvo, this is a reflection of the effort that the brand is doing to offer cars so attractive even with the heavy tax on imported cars.

Security in all versions

Volvo is recognized worldwide for the safety of their cars. With the V60, the brand continues its heritage and all versions equipped with City Safety system, which brakes the car alone to identify an imminent collision at speeds up to 50 km / h (before the limit was 30 km / h), addition of front and side airbags, ABS brakes with EBA, Rollover Control (RSC), stability and traction control (DSTC) and electric parking brake. The system is also present OnCall me all versions.

Impressions while driving - Volvo V60 T5 R-Design

At the launch event in Brazil V60, drove the version of the entry model in Brazil, the T5 R-Design Comfort on journey of about 160 miles that included excerpts from heavy traffic and highways.

Taking the driver's seat, the sports seats upholstered in leather with foam density comfortable have good lateral support. The adjustments of the wheel height and depth, as well as the driver's seat (electric), allow to find nice position to drive. However, adjusting the passenger seat is manual. Volante and V60 various commands are familiar, ie they are identical to the S60 sedan already evaluated. Positioned on the key panel, simply press the button for ignition engine 2.0 turbo 240 horsepower.

In the city, we noticed a small throttle resistance in situations where steps light, as maneuvers, for example. Stepping a little deeper, shows the engine more force to move the V60. In stretch of heavy traffic, the model showed enough agility to switch track with ease, while offering a smooth ride and quiet.

Even under a strong sun, the instrument panel with blue background, a clean look, gives good visibility of key information. The panel, like all Volvo has finished much more sober, no-frills, which ends up making it pretty sophisticated.

But it's free trail ahead with the Volvo V60 shows his true identity. In comes a car that offers good performance, those who suffer the driver to maintain the legal speed of the track, coupled with an exemplary dynamic behavior, backed security systems (stability control and anti-rollover), which allows curves very easy way. During the test, a real test: running at 120 km / h, a driver without a clue, simply enter the same track to overtake a truck at a mere 60 km / h. Foot on the brake, and despite scaring the other passengers who were quiet, the V60 has provided much security with minimum slope of the bodywork.

Considerations

The Volvo V60 R-Design is an option in the premium segment for those who need space but does not open the sportsmanship and character. Whether to take their children to school (this, adolescents will not have shame), to minimize the arduous task of having to drive every day to work or enjoy a trip to the "station wagon" V60 lives up to the title of SportWagon, and definitely not make ugly.