Volvo's 2011 S60 sedan will be "remarkably close" to the 2009 Detroit show concept in its outline and proportions, a company marketing executive told Motor Trend. While it loses the suicide doors and glass interior, there is much that can be inferred from the concept.
Former design director Steve Mattin finalized the exterior, which means more curves and more flamboyant surfaces than we've come to expect from Volvo: It's more XC60 than S80. and the concept's "four-door coupe" roofline remains.
This is the first Volvo to have dimensions placing it head to head with German premium makers. Previous Volvos were half a class between the Germans: The old S60 was smaller than the 5 Series BMW of its day but bigger than a 3 Series. The new one will tackle the 3 Series and Audi A4 head on. "If we were a market leader, we could do cars outside the established size classes, but at our size we can't," our source said. This applies to pricing, engine for engine, and equipment in addition to size.
A V60 wagon version of the S60 is planned, fitting below the V70.The S60 and V60 will be available globally in four-, five-, and six-cylinder versions, most of them turbos, and diesels for Europe. The U.S. should get the turbo five, the 3.2-liter, 235-horsepower inline-six, and 3.0-liter turbo six making about 280 horsepower. AWD will again be available.