Volvo S60 T4 Teknik road test
by Ken Walker
24th February, 2013
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As a commitment to sustainable motoring, Volvo makes low engine capacity
cars fitted with turbo chargers which suggests this vehicle is not for lady bowlers or elderly male drivers with hats.
But that stereo type of Volvo drivers disappeared long ago. Today's Volvos are exceptionally competitive against the best
that the prestige German brands have on offer.
Interestingly, the current Volvo cars are 85% recyclable ensuring an element of sustainability is a valued component
of the Volvo experience.
Test Car particulars
Our drive package for this review is the Volvo S60 T4 (4-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine) Teknik sedan.
The Teknik Pack is an optional "value" package on the entry level S60 sedan. This package features Volvo Navigation
System (VNS); Active Bending Lights (ABL) with headlight wash system; Blind Spot Information System (BLIS); power
passenger seat, bright décor front left and right spoiler area and watch dial instrumentation.
Other options on the test car were metallic paint, Lane Departure Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Prices*
The MLP* for the S60 T4 Teknik was from $54,490* on the most recent Volvo price list that we have seen. Double check
though, if you're seeking a car as good as this one. Our test car was fitted with options which add to the starting price
which we mentioned: Lane Departure Warning (LDW) with Driver Alert Control (DAC) $2,075*; metallic paint at $1,550*;
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake (CWAB) including Queue Assist and Pedestrian
Detection $4,175*. This took the test car price to $62,290*, which represents exciting buying compared to some of Volvo's
competitors. There is an immense range of other options available to further personalise your car, if desired. Folks with
experience with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz will be well aware of the 'option list' method of upselling buyers. Volvo is
simply using the same approach.
The entry-level Volvo S60 without the Teknik pack was priced from $49,490* on that same price list.
Driving the Volvo S60 T4 Teknik
Fitted with a 1.6 L four-cylinder engine a misconception would be to think that this unit would amble along the
freeways and highways with the performance of a tortoise. Wrong! At 110 km/h (where permitted) our package was
quiet and seemed to relish in this style of motoring on a short trip north to the holiday villages of Tea Gardens and
Hawks Nest in NSW. The suspension was supple without wallowing and the ride was better than good, in fact quite
comfortable.
Our 665 kilometres travelled in the short time we had the S60 was a mix of suburban and interurban motoring and to
this end, we found the S60 T4 an ideal machine well suited to these tasks.
Living with the Volvo S60 T4 Teknik
With comfortable leather seats, power adjustable, superior ride qualities are something that makes this package a
pleasure to drive. In fact, the only annoyance was the spare wheel in the centre of the boot leaving very little room for
luggage. Volvo really needs to lift their game in this respect and consider the use of run flat tyres just as some
competitors do.
Specifications
Powered by a front-mounted 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol-fuelled engine, the S60 T4 has 132 kW (at 5,700 rpm) of
power and 240Nm (in the range 1,600 to 5,000 rpm) of torque. Power is transferred to the road surface by front-wheel
drive.
The S60 T4 has a delightful dual-clutch 6-speed Powershift automatic transmission. Manual transmission is not
available.
Safety
A 5-star ANCAP rating is the best available and this version from Volvo has it. Volvo has been producing safe vehicles
for many, many years and let’s face it, the motoring public expect that.
Fuel and emissions
On the combined cycle, fuel consumption of the S60 T4 Teknik is rated at 7.4 litres per 100 kms.
City cycle consumption is rated at 10.1 l/100 km. Highway cycle comes in at 5.9 l/100 km.
The fuel tank capacity is 67.5 litres.
CO2 emissions from the Euro5 compliant engine are 173 grammes/kilometre.
Performance
Factory figures indicate that 0-100 km/h acceleration is possible in 9 seconds with the S60 T4 automatic sedan with
the diesel powered model being just .2 seconds slower.
Equipment (S60 T4 Teknik with options - as per above)
Given that this package attained a 5-star ANCAP rating the astute purveyor of motoring machinery would expect a
plethora of safety equipment which includes Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) with Advanced Stability
Control, Traction Torque Vectoring (assists in cornering) and naturally 6 airbags. Adaptive Cruise Control will keep you
at a set distance from the vehicle in front at speeds up to 200 km/h (where legal). Collision Warning with full Auto
Brake Control and Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning will emit a warning when the driver is distracted and
wanders over lane markings, Blind Spot Information System will indicate when it may be safe/unsafe to change lanes.
The audio system has Bluetooth accessibility, together with a USB port. Auto headlamps and wiper functions are also
included.
Variants
There is a entry level T4, a T5 with 177kW, a T6 AWD with 224kW and a D3 (diesel) 120kW to entice interest from
potential buyers. There should be an engine option to suit the buyer's preference and requirement. Additionally, a V60
station wagon version is available.
Dimensions - S60 sedan
Length: 4,628 mm
Width: 2,097 mm (including mirrors)
Height: 1,484 mm
Wheelbase: 2,776 mm
Weight: 1,495 kg (tare)
Boot capacity: 380 litres restricted by spare wheel placement.
Towing
The towing capacity of an appropriately equipped S60 T4 is 1,600 kg for a braked trailer (750 unbraked).
After Sales
The warranty and roadside assistance package operate, with conditions, on a 3 year/unlimited kilometre basis. An
additional 2 year warranty and roadside service package is also available but must be purchased within the original
warranty period.
Conclusion
The Volvo S60 T4 Teknik impresses with smooth driving and excellent equipment levels but disappoints with the
restrictive cargo space. It is very sharply priced, and substiantially cheaper than its German rivals, for example the
Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and BMW 3 series.
NOTE: * Manufacturer's List Price (MLP) excludes dealer delivery
fees and the numerous statutory charges (commonly known as on-road costs). Additionally, please note that all prices,
fees and charges are subject to change without notice, as are the specifications.
E&OE
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