… Volvo S60 D2 SE Nav Manual …
The trouble with the latest generation of Volvo saloon cars, is the 740. It is still the car by which I judge the modern versions. I had one quite few years back and it was one of the most comfortable cars in which to sit and cruise around in an almost serene manner. The seat was well-shaped, supportive and yet it was soft to sit in. No wonder it was the choice of those with bad backs and dodgy knees. It also had wide doors to ease the elderly and infirm into their cosseted environment.
Don’t get the idea it was only an old folks’ car, it was the ideal family runabout with bags of interior space to contain the weans and a huge boot. And yet, if you were running late for a business appointment, the 2.3 litre petrol engine had enough verve to appease the anxious occupant. Yes, it was soft, but it hung on, and hung on well on occasion!
Which brings me to the S60. As is the current trend, the seats are much firmer than days gone by. For sure they are well shaped and comfortable, but they just lack the cuddly comfort of my old 740. In that car I could adjust leg and headroom perfectly, in the S60 I would like another notch on the seat lowering mechanism. For personal taste it is just a touch too high. It was a case of adapting to fit the car, not having the car adjust to fit me.
And that’s just about the only criticism, so if you’re tempted, drive one first and make up your own mind. What you’ll find when you step into the car is a well equipped and tasteful interior with its ‘flying’ central console housing all the secondary controls while the dashboard features a digital display which mimics an analogue speedometer. This is ‘supported’ on the left side by a temperature gauge on the left and rev counter with gear advisory panel on the right.
A scrolling screen in the centre of the dashboard provides all the information a driver will need and doubles up as the SatNav screen while the beautifully shaped leather rimmed steering wheel has buttons for minor controls. If it’s tactile you want, this will do it for you!
Leather trim is available, but the fabric on the seats is ideal for everyday use – and scrubbing after the weans have been to the cinema! But this being a Volvo, heated seats are available too.
The only other criticism was the size of the boot opening. It’s quite narrow, and be careful what you specify. The test car had the optional space-saver spare wheel which meant the boot floor was quite high and therefore quite shallow. If you want to carry a lot of luggage or shopping then you’d be better with the ‘skoosh and blow’ kit rather than a spare wheel.
The D2 engine (there is a D3 with 148hp and a D4 with 187) has a mere 118hp which seems a bit measly, but in reality it offers a brisk-enough response and overall performance. However, I thought I had spotted a problem. After 100 miles, the fuel gauge hadn’t moved. All the wee lights were still glowing. In fact, the odometer had recorded 140 miles before the first section blinked off. Volvo claim 74 miles to the gallon on the combined cycle and although I got nowhere near that, 60+ was easily achievable. So if it’s economy you’re after go for the D2. No doubt the Stop/Start facility would aid the urban commuter more than the country dweller, but the D3 and D4 also offer decent fuel economy, so are worth considering.
Ride comfort was pretty good too, although you could hear the 215/50 Michelin Primacy 3 tyres smacking on the tar and the occasional thump was felt from the 17 inch alloys. It certainly aroused a slight feeling of nostalgia for the 740’s Dunlops on 15 inch wheels! But car design and engineering has moved on and there is nothing wrong with the ride quality and the S60’s ability to absorb and cushion modern day road surfaces.
For those who have never driven a 740, this new S60 will be a delight and give executive saloon buyers more choice in a very competitive sector of the market. It’s as good as any of its German and Japanese rivals and other upmarket European alternatives. And it will stand out in the drive of any modern housing estate amongst all the other metal decorating their frontages.
Would I have one, that’s for sure, but which would I prefer if I was driving down to Goodwood for the weekend, the S60 or the 740. Do you know, I’m not really sure.