The hot Volvo S60 T6 officially on sale in Malaysia and we get a SHORT TEST DRIVE in one

 Volvo Car Malaysia launched the S60 T6 variant of their premium compact sports sedan with a very engaging presentation by Managing Director, Mr Lennart Stegland (pictured above - right and below). This event marks his first official engagement with the Malaysian media and he basically explained to us Volvo Car's Powertrain Strategy. This was partly due to the fact that the path of future Volvo Cars has been chartered for at least ten or so years with their Drive-E philosophy taking center stage. 

Drive-E is a very holistic approach towards building cars. Volvo Cars would look at every aspect in a car's construction and make it into what they think is the optimum build for a certain car. Even the very hot and spicy Volvo S60 T6 variant that Malaysian now gets starting from today.

The Shah Alam assembled S60 T6 costs RM280,888 (on-the-road, without insurance, inclusive of six per cent GST). Limited units are now available for purchase at all authorised Volvo showrooms nationwide. It has almost ALL the safety features that you could find in most top of the line Volvos these days. Do read the press release below for a complete description of all the important gadgets and tricks it has built into it.

The Volvo S60 T6 is essentially one of the latest S60 variants to hit our shores. The S60 was first launched in 2010 and was facelifted in 2014 where Volvo changed nearly all the panels up front with added safety features that you now see standard in most premium Volvo cars. In 2015, Volvo added their newest engines based on their Drive-E technology, the 8 speed automatic transmission with all the ECO mode functions to be even more fuel efficient. So this S60 T8 is the latest with almost all the latest in what Volvo has to offer. 

Now what is interesting about this car is that the S60 T6's  Drive-E engine has an output of 306 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The engine features a class-leading combination of a supercharger / compressor and a turbo charger. The mechanically linked supercharger starts to function immediately at low revs, while the turbocharger kicks in when the airflow builds up. Fuel consumption with new torque convertor Aisin-Warner 8-speed automatic is 6.7 l/100 km (157 g/km) in the S60. 

The basic performance figures are 0-100kmh in 5.9seconds and a maximum speed of 230kmh. I have tried out the car for a short spin and it is fast. The car is front wheel driven so it can also be a handful even in the dry. At normal road speeds it rides pretty well even on the test car's optional 235/40 18inch wheels with aggressive Michelin Pilot Sport rubber (It also had a lot of Volvo exterior options fitted onto it). The standard car gets 235/45 17 inch wheels. It however tramlines a little on these larger tyres which makes me feel that the 17inch wheels with its more compliant (softer) sidewalls would be less susceptible to tramlining. It does look darn good though.

The front wheel driven T6 channels the power via a 8 speed Aisin Warner torque convertor which has pedal shifters if you want to shift yourself. It is smooth and behaves well. Not dual clutch quick but everything works well together and I have no complaints about the drive train in the refinement department. However, as it is front wheel drive with bucketloads of torque the car torquesteers its way down the road when you give it the boot. Even with four people in the car it feels like it wants to break free and go on whatever merry way the power takes it. This is what usually happens when you have 400Nm powering the front wheels. You don't find any of this with lesser cars. 

But when I was at the helm it did not feel like it wanted to kill any of us inside. What do you expect? It's a Volvo. Everything still felt safe and serene to me, the driver and to the passengers, as even when it was hurtling down the road like something with 306 horses could do, torque steering out of junctions I still felt secure and save enough to hold a conversation with the other occupants of the car. The optional tyres were a bit louder than usual I believe. Very slightly only. Blame the aggressive rubber again.

I think this car did make me feel alive because of the torquesteer and tramlining. Having something with a lot of power makes it easy to upset or tease the chassis. It adds a challenge factor to driving it fast. It does have a slightly rubbery steering feel to it but it was quick enough to allow me to recover and place the car where I wanted to in a corner or when doing high speed lane changes. Hitting 160kmh was a clinch in the T6 but it isn't only how fast it took me there but how it took me there. It has been a long time I have driven something that feels a little bit overpowered for the chassis and that is a challenge to relish. 

The interior is typically Volvo. This means that it is very well thought of and very comfortable. It does feel premium in many ways. Not old school like in a Mercedes Benz C-Class. More like Swedish furniture. Modern but still better than something German modern, like an Audi (which like this Volvo takes onto more modern design cues instead of traditional wood here and there type). 

Now whilst I do believe I need more time in one I feel that the T6 is a different option to those that want performance. It challenges you. It feels modern inside but the power delivery is very much old school torque steer and rabid in performance. It's quite a nice mix actually. A breath of something long gone but concocted with new technology. 

Conclusion

After the short spin with it I felt that it could actually do with two things made better, a less rubbery feeling steering and all-wheel drive if you want to tame it a little. BUT if you want to feel alive and is up for some old school front wheel drive challenges, this could do nicely. And I do not think there is another car that comes in at RM280,000 that gives you so much of performance, a challenging drive and comfort at the same time. I do long for a longer drive in one actually. 

Brief details with press release and more photos below:

Volvo S60 T6

PRICE:  RM280,888 (on-the-road, without insurance, inclusive of six per cent GST)

Engine & Transmission

2.0liter supercharged & turbocharged 4 cylinder
306hp /400Nm torque
8 speed automatic transmission with pedal shifters

Weight: 1649kg

Performance
0-100kmh 5.9seconds
230kmh
Combined fuel consumption: 6.7liters/100km

PRESS RELEASE
Date of issue
 May 18, 2016
Volvo S60 T6

The dynamic design of the Volvo S60 accentuates the car's sporting nature. Now equipped with the Drive-E Powertrain and an 8-speed automatic gearbox, the S60 T6 promises to deliver a combination of spirited performance, confident handling and good fuel economy.


DESIGN

Accentuated road presence
The front design increases the S60's road presence. The focused and determined-looking headlamps help create this expressive ‘face'. The S60's horizontal lines are emphasised at both the front and rear. Together with details such as a wide grille and daylight running lights, they give the S60 a striking, planted presence.

Refined interior
Scandinavian design is exemplified by beautiful, simple shapes and surfaces with any unnecessary clutter removed.  This is evident in the S60 interior and exterior. Inside, the attention to detail, the authentic materials, and the easy-to-use controls contribute to the in-command driving experience. The interior detailing includes rotary jewel-like knobs in the centre stack and a frameless inner rear-view mirror.

Ergonomically designed seats
Ergonomically designed seats in our cars could be traced back to 1964, when it was first fitted on the Amazon. Over the years, Volvo has maintained its reputation, through countless improvements and innovations, for having the best seats in the automotive industry; the S60 carries on this tradition by offering supportive yet comfortable seats that ensures a fresh and relaxed arrival even after the longest of journeys.

Emphasised attention to detail
There are several other examples of the attention to detail in the new S60. The previously visible washer nozzles have been relocated out of sight under the bonnet.

The radar cover has been painted gloss black and now blends better with the grille. The chrome frame around the grille has been removed and the new, bigger ironmark badge enhances the new cars' self-confident look.

The new integrated tailpipes are the physical and visual link to the technically advanced engines. But it's not just about beautiful design: the designers have had to cope with the fact that at operating temperature, the tailpipes have to remain perfectly in place despite the exhaust system expanding in length by up to 25mm. This is another example of true Scandinavian precision engineering.


POWERTRAIN
The powerful T6

The T6 Drive-E engine has an output of 306 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The engine features a class-leading combination of a compressor and a turbo charger. Using the supercharger to fill in the bottom end gives the engine a big, naturally aspirated feel. The mechanically linked compressor starts to function immediately at low revs, while the turbocharger kicks in when the airflow builds up. Fuel consumption with new 8-speed automatic is 6.7 l/100 km (157 g/km) in the S60.

Steering wheel with paddle shifters
The S60 T6 now gets paddle shifters with the new Drive-E engine. It gives the driver the opportunity to shift gears manually with both hands on the wheel.

Confident handling
The S60 T6 comes standard with Dynamic chassis. The dynamic chassis has an alert, quick-responding architecture that puts the focus on the driving experience without diluting the impression of a comfortable ride.

During the development process, the chassis team carved out a holistic solution that features changes and refinements for virtually every single detail that influences a car's driving properties.

The steering gear ratio now responds faster to give an enhanced steering feel and sharper response. The steering column's thicker tubing and stiffer bushes increased torsional rigidity by 100 percent. This also contributes to the increased feeling of direct contact with the wheels and the road.


SENSUS 
Adaptive Digital Display
The Adaptive Digital Display uses an active TFT (Thin Film Transistor) crystal display to bring the driver personalised information. There are three themes to choose from: Elegance, Eco and Performance.

Sensus Connect
The Digital Display theme colours are also echoed in the connected infotainment system Sensus Connect. It features a refreshed user interface with a number of innovative functions offering customers a fully connected experience.

The cloud-based services allow the driver to discover new restaurants at the destination, stream favourite music seamlessly and much more. The driver can also have text messages read out aloud without taking hands off the wheel.

The Bluetooth mobile phone service allows hands-free phone conversations as well as music streaming from a preferred Bluetooth enabled smartphone.


SAFETY AND SUPPORT
IntelliSafe, Volvo's blanket name for all active safety systems, is an important part of the driver-centric approach in the S60.

Park Assist Pilot
Park Assist Pilot makes parallel parking easy and precise by taking over and operating the steering wheel while the driver handles the gearbox and controls the car’s speed. The parking maneuver is based on front, rear and side-facing ultrasonic sensors.

Lane Keeping Aid
Lane Keeping Aid helps the driver stay in the lane. This feature applies extra steering torque to the steering column when the car gets close to a lane marking and is about to leave the lane. The system is active at speeds between 65 km/h and 200 km/h. As a first step, Lane Keeping Aid applies gentle steering wheel torque to help the driver steer back onto the intended course. If the car leaves the lane, the technology generates a distinctive warning through a haptic vibration in the steering wheel.

Electrical Power Assist Steering
The Electrical Power Assist Steering (EPAS), available with the Drive-E engines, uses an electrical motor to support the steering rack, and the driver can choose between three levels of power assistance.

In Low mode the system provides a high degree of power support, making maneuvering easier. Medium mode has somewhat lower power support to offer more road response at higher speeds. High mode is the ultimate setting for the enthusiastic driver, contributing to the car’s dynamic character.

Permanent high beam with groundbreaking technology
The Active High Beam Control eliminates the need to switch between low and high beam. Instead, Active High Beam Control makes it possible keep the headlights on high beam continuously.

When another car approaches from the opposite direction, the system helps to prevent dazzling of the oncoming driver by shading out only as much of the beam as necessary. This is done by an ingenious projector module mechanism integrated into the headlamp.  The same benefit applies to drivers in preceding cars.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection technology

New advanced software, including more rapid vision processing made it possible to extend Volvo Cars' detection and auto brake technology to cover certain cyclist situations as well.

The Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with full auto brake is equipped with an advanced sensor system that scans the area ahead. If a cyclist heading in the same direction as the car suddenly swerves out in front of the car as it approaches from behind and collision is imminent, there is an instant warning and full braking power is applied.

The technology also detects if a pedestrian steps out into the road in front of the car. If the driver does not respond in time, the car can warn and automatically activate the brakes.

City Safety - active up to 50 km/h
The S60 features a City Safety system that is active at speeds up to 50 km/h. The car automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops - or if the car is approaching a stationary vehicle too fast.

Cornering Light for better visibility
Another innovative option for driving in the dark is the low-speed Cornering Light feature. As an extension of the current Active Bending Light system, it lights up the area the driver is steering towards for safer maneuvering.

Blind Spot Information System - for better visibility
The S60 offers the radar-based Blind Sport Information System (BLIS. The technology can monitor and alert the driver to rapidly approaching vehicles up to 70 m behind the car. Of course it still informs the driver about vehicles in the blind spots on both sides.

Cross Traffic Alert - covering your back
Cross Traffic Alert uses the radar sensors at the rear end of the car to alert the driver to crossing traffic from the sides when reversing out of a parking space. This is especially helpful in tight and crowded areas where the side view might be limited due to infrastructure, vegetation or other parked cars.

Road Sign Information - an extra "eye" on the traffic environment
Road Sign Information supports the driver by displaying road signs in the instrument display. Road Sign Information can be combined with the Speed Alert function, which provides the driver with a visual warning in the speedometer if the speed limit is exceeded.


AVAILABILITY AND PRICING  
The recommended retail price for the S60 T6 is RM280,888 (on-the-road, without insurance, inclusive of six per cent GST). Limited units are now available for purchase at all authorised Volvo showrooms nationwide.

The S60 T6 comes in five exterior colour options: Ice White, Seashell, Ember Black, Saville Grey and Bright Silver.

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