2012 Volvo S60 R-Design Preview
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2012 Volvo S60 R-Design
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Volvo S60 R-design
Anybody still thinking Volvo only makes stodgy, safety-oriented cars with boxy styling and ho-hum performance, might want to crawl out from under the Game Show Network and tune in the Sports Car Monitor news. For a number of years now, Volvo has delivered hot R-spec models with more performance and higher profile styling cues.
And while the official R versions of Volvo cars are currently on hiatus, a nice piece of news released at the New York Auto Show was that the already hot new Volvo S60 T6 was getting a power bump and a new model designation. Currently rated at 300 horsepower, the upcoming 2012 models will rock and roll with 321 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque from the turbocharged in-line six.
Volvo S60 R-design
All-wheel drive still gets that power to the ground and Volvo’s Corner Traction Control is incorporated to help the car rotate into a turn when cornering. The inner driven wheel is braked, while, at the same time, more power is transmitted to the outer driven wheel. This allows the driver to take the corner more tightly while reducing any tendency to understeer.
Up until now, the high performance S60 T6 didn’t carry a specific model designation, but right around August, we’ll get our first look at the R-design S60 and XC60. In addition to the power upgrade, the R-design cars will get a strut tower brace, which should help sharpen the steering. The suspension will be lowered by 15 mm and Volvo is going to a rear monotube shock set to replace the current twin-tube setup.
Volvo S60 R-design Interior
Styling cues specific to R-design cars include five-spoke 18-inch diamond cut wheels, a monochromatic paint scheme, a trunk spoiler and dual Xenon headlights. The interior gets hooked up a little tighter too. You’ll find more aggressive sport seats up front, upholstered in on off-black leather with contrasting stitching. You’ll also see a sport steering wheel with R-Design logo, gear selector, sports pedals, floor mats and a blue watch-dial instrument cluster.
Pricing for the S60 R-design will start at $42,275; the XC60 will start at $43,150.
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