Motor Authority - blog Category: S60

  • Video: Volvo Demonstrates Pedestrian Avoidance System On 2010 S60

    Video: Volvo Demonstrates Pedestrian Avoidance System On 2010 S60 October 26th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 26th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    Video: Volvo Demonstrates Pedestrian Avoidance System On 2010 S60

    Keeping drivers and pedestrians safe behind the wheel, once little more than an afterthought, has become a major focus of the automotive industry and governmental regulation in recent years. To help reach new heights of safety, engineers are applying the computers and advanced technology in ways that might have seemed fictional just a few years ago. Volvo's new collision avoidance system, called Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection, is due to debut on the 2010 S60, and is a prime example.

    Designed around the idea of preventing collisions with pedestrians, the Volvo system recognizes people near the car and brakes...

    Keeping drivers and pedestrians safe behind the wheel, once little more than an afterthought, has become a major focus of the automotive industry and governmental regulation in recent years. To help reach new heights of safety, engineers are applying the computers and advanced technology in ways that might have seemed fictional just a few years ago. Volvo's new collision avoidance system, called Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection, is due to debut on the 2010 S60, and is a prime example. Designed around the idea of preventing collisions with pedestrians, the Volvo system recognizes people near the car and brakes appropriately to avoid coming into contact with them. But it's far from a "dumb" system--it tracks and anticipates the paths of pedestrians, and reacts accordingly. Volvo says it can completely avoid any collision below 15 mph. That's a pretty important advancement. While cars like Mercedes-Benz's S-Class and BMW's 7-series have had infrared pedestrian detection and warning systems for some time now, they haven't yet ventured into the realm of active collision avoidance. This isn't something that could be used to completely eliminate crashes on the interstate or for other fast-moving traffic, but it can serve to mitigate the effects of such crashes by slowing the car before impact. The system is demonstrated, and explained, in the video below, as applied on the streets of Copenhagen behind the wheel of a prototype S60. The end goal of Volvo's ongoing work in this field is to build a car that cannot crash. Minority Report here we come. The 2010 Volvo S60 isn't due for release until next year, though the car's concept form is expected to very closely predict the production car's design. [Volvo] Read More

  • Preview: 2010 Volvo S60 sedan

    Preview: 2010 Volvo S60 sedan July 30th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, July 30th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 5 Comments

    Preview: 2010 Volvo S60 sedan Volvo is busy preparing its entry to the midsize sedan market in the shape of the upcoming 2010 S60, which will feature radical new styling picked up by the automaker’s concept of the same name that was revealed at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Earlier this month, production of the first-generation S60 finally came to an end, marking the end of an eight year product cycle that saw more than 580,000 cars roll off the line at the car’s Ghent factory in Belgium.

    The new 2010 S60 is expected to go on sale early next year. This computer generated rendering provides a clue as to what the new car may look like, revealing that it... Volvo is busy preparing its entry to the midsize sedan market in the shape of the upcoming 2010 S60, which will feature radical new styling picked up by the automaker’s concept of the same name that was revealed at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Earlier this month, production of the first-generation S60 finally came to an end, marking the end of an eight year product cycle that saw more than 580,000 cars roll off the line at the car’s Ghent factory in Belgium. The new 2010 S60 is expected to go on sale early next year. This computer generated rendering provides a clue as to what the new car may look like, revealing that it will likely share most of the lines of the 2009 Volvo S60 concept car. At first glance, the rendered sedan features definite coupe-like proportions, accompanied by strong shoulders, which together give it a look that is very similar to the design of the recent Jaguar C-XF concept vehicle. There are, however, plenty of unique elements such as the traditional Volvo grille and sculptured headlamps with LED bulbs. Not much is known about the car’s future powertrain but one option will be a new 1.6-liter gasoline unit with turbocharging and direct-injection technologies. Previewed in concept form, the tiny mill develops a peak output of 180hp and a fuel economy rating of 47mpg. Drive will be sent to the front wheels via Volvo's PowerShift six-speed dual-clutch transmission.2009 Volvo S60 Concept2010 Volvo S60 sedan preview Read More

  • Volvo offers S60 SE run out special

    Volvo offers S60 SE run out special July 6th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, July 6th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 1 Comment

    Volvo offers S60 SE run out special Production of the Volvo S60 finally came to an end last month, marking the end of a eight year product cycle that saw more than 580,000 cars roll off the line at the car’s Ghent factory in Belgium. To celebrate this milestone and clear any remaining stock before the all-new model arrives next year, Volvo will be releasing a very limited number of well-equipped S60 ‘SE’ models.

    Designed exclusively for the U.S., the 2009 Volvo S60 SE will be available in only one specification and will be priced from $30,950 for the FWD model and $32,750 for the AWD version. Just 880 Volvo S60 SEs will be offered when the car goes on sale... Production of the Volvo S60 finally came to an end last month, marking the end of a eight year product cycle that saw more than 580,000 cars roll off the line at the car’s Ghent factory in Belgium. To celebrate this milestone and clear any remaining stock before the all-new model arrives next year, Volvo will be releasing a very limited number of well-equipped S60 ‘SE’ models. Designed exclusively for the U.S., the 2009 Volvo S60 SE will be available in only one specification and will be priced from $30,950 for the FWD model and $32,750 for the AWD version. Just 880 Volvo S60 SEs will be offered when the car goes on sale this month and both will come with a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine rated at 208hp (155kW) and 236lb-ft (320Nm) of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard and features a sporty Geartronic mode that allows the driver to manually shift. Included in the price is a laundry list of standard features including leather seating, electronic climate control, moonroof, sporty 17in aluminum wheels, heated seats, rain sensing windshield wipers and headlamp washers. Aluminum mesh inlays adorn the interior and reinforce the car’s sporty theme. The FWD model will be EPA rated at 19mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway, while the AWD model will return at 18mpg city and 26mpg highway. The Volvo S60 became one of Volvo Car Corporation's strongest selling vehicles. Over its 9-year production run a substantial 578,000 S60s were built and sold worldwide. Since arriving in the U.S. in 1999, Volvo has managed to move more than 221,000 units by the end of the model run, making it one of the company's top-selling models.2009 Volvo S60 Concept2009 Volvo S60 SE Read More

  • ‘Volvo - The Game’ now available for download

    ‘Volvo - The Game’ now available for download May 26th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, May 26th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 5 Comments

    ‘Volvo - The Game’ now available for download Many carmakers have ventured into the field of video games, from the Gran Turismo and Need for Speed series to one-off games made for the iPhone and other platforms. Volvo is now joining those ranks with a new game to promote the S60 Concept as well as its racing efforts.

    Some of the other vehicles players can choose from include the C30 hatch that's currently competing in the STCC, the previous S60 saloon that also competed in the STCC, the S40 that notched up many notable successes in the BTCC (the British Touring Car Championship), the 850 estate car that became a legend in the BTCC - and finally a true racing classic from the past, a... Many carmakers have ventured into the field of video games, from the Gran Turismo and Need for Speed series to one-off games made for the iPhone and other platforms. Volvo is now joining those ranks with a new game to promote the S60 Concept as well as its racing efforts. Some of the other vehicles players can choose from include the C30 hatch that's currently competing in the STCC, the previous S60 saloon that also competed in the STCC, the S40 that notched up many notable successes in the BTCC (the British Touring Car Championship), the 850 estate car that became a legend in the BTCC - and finally a true racing classic from the past, a 240 Turbo Group A. Made in collaboration with SimBin, producers of some of the world's most realistic and highly-regarded racing simulators, "Volvo - The Game", as it's entitled, offers some legitimate playability in addition to an engaging marketing package. It's an interesting move for Volvo, which as a brand isn't known for its on-track exploits. "When Volvo Cars asked us if we were able to develop a Volvo racing game for PC, suitable for a wide audience and including the new S60 Concept car, we picked up on the challenge straight away, says Henrik Roos, SimBin Studios CEO. "Especially since it was Volvo Cars located in Sweden that was asking. Two Swedish brands that join forces sounded like a perfect match to us." The emphasis being on a wider market than SimBin's typical enthusiast-driven simulator audience hopefully won't strip away the viscerally tactile feeling behind the virtual wheel common to their work. Competition will be a definite element of the game with Volvo publishing an online leaderboard with prizes for the winners. Click here to download it now.Volvo - The Game featuring the S60 ConceptVolvo: The Game second trailer Read More

  • Steve Mattin, designer of Volvo S60 Concept, leaves company

    Steve Mattin, designer of Volvo S60 Concept, leaves company March 27th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, March 27th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    Steve Mattin, designer of Volvo S60 Concept, leaves company Swedish media are reporting today that Steve Mattin, Volvo's design director, is leaving the company. The departure marks the end of a four-year tenure during which time Mattin was responsible for designs including the 2010 XC60 and the highly controversial S60 Concept shown a this year's Detroit Auto Show.

    The departure could signal a wave of changes at Volvo as Ford ramps up the intensity of its push to sell the brand. Despite serious talks with a number of potential buyers, however, Ford has released nothing indicating a sale is imminent. News of Mattin's exit from Volvo comes from Sweden's GP, which quotes Mattin, shortly after being... Swedish media are reporting today that Steve Mattin, Volvo's design director, is leaving the company. The departure marks the end of a four-year tenure during which time Mattin was responsible for designs including the 2010 XC60 and the highly controversial S60 Concept shown a this year's Detroit Auto Show. The departure could signal a wave of changes at Volvo as Ford ramps up the intensity of its push to sell the brand. Despite serious talks with a number of potential buyers, however, Ford has released nothing indicating a sale is imminent. News of Mattin's exit from Volvo comes from Sweden's GP, which quotes Mattin, shortly after being hired on at Volvo in May 2005, as saying he would "stay [at Volvo] for the rest of my life." That sort of talk doesn't lend itself to an easy change in career path, especially immediately after an 18-year stint at Mercedes-Benz. But perhaps the change-up is just another in the cycle of designer exits that has swept the industry in the past several months. Chris Bangle, BMW's famous, or to some eyes, infamous, designer for most of the last decade, left the industry altogether. Karim Habib, also from BMW, defected to Mercedes-Benz just a few weeks ago. Even among the purely design-focused companies there have been changes, including the switch from Pininfarina to Stile Bertone by modern legend Jason Castriota. So perhaps Mattin's departure from Volvo is just a normal part of business in a depressed economy. But it could also be a hint at worse times to come.Volvo XC60 Crossover2009 Volvo S60 Concept Read More

  • Volvo phases out S60 sedan in lead up to all-new model

    Volvo phases out S60 sedan in lead up to all-new model March 25th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, March 25th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 0 Comments

    Volvo phases out S60 sedan in lead up to all-new model Production of the Volvo S60 is coming to an end as the current model will soon be phased out in the lead up to an all-new model due next year. Production of the car at Volvo’s plant in Ghent, Belgium, is scheduled to end next month, marking the end of a eight year product cycle that saw more than 580,000 cars roll off the line.

    While the S60 was never highly praised, it still remained one of the key cars in Volvo’s transition from one of the most boring brands on the market to one with a little European flair and unique design. And who could forget the high-performance S60 R? While this was no M5 rival, the S60 R still had some... Production of the Volvo S60 is coming to an end as the current model will soon be phased out in the lead up to an all-new model due next year. Production of the car at Volvo’s plant in Ghent, Belgium, is scheduled to end next month, marking the end of a eight year product cycle that saw more than 580,000 cars roll off the line. While the S60 was never highly praised, it still remained one of the key cars in Volvo’s transition from one of the most boring brands on the market to one with a little European flair and unique design. And who could forget the high-performance S60 R? While this was no M5 rival, the S60 R still had some pretty nifty features and could easily keep up with many of the performance saloons on sale today. Some highlights included an interlocking chassis system, AWD and a 300hp (225kW) turbocharged engine. Sales of the S60 were strong following its release in 2000 and remained high until the middle of 2004 when consumer interest started to wane. After this, even an extensive facelift program in 2005 and updates in 2006 couldn't keep the S60 from fading away into obscurity. Despite its slow march towards death, fans of the S60 shouldn't despair. Volvo plans on reviving the badge next year, and if the new car looks anything like the S60 Concept that debuted at this year's Detroit Motor Show then we should be in for a treat. In addition to its attractive styling, the concept previewed Volvo’s next-generation engine design that should appear in the new S60 next year. Under the hood was a tiny 1.6L four-cylinder petrol engine with 180hp (134kW) on tap and a fuel-economy rating of 47mpg (5.0L/100km).2009 Volvo S60 Concept Read More

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