Saar: It was unveiled during the inauguration ceremony of Volvo’s first-ever manufacturing plant in the USA.

Swedish. Sensible. Sexy. Safe. The four words that perfectly sum up Volvo’s brand new S60. The all-new generation of Volvo’s 60 series saloon broke cover during the inauguration ceremony of company’s first-ever manufacturing facility in the USA. The said facility is located in Charleston, South Carolina, and will be the only Volvo plant in the world to manufacture the new S60. At least for the time being. Volvo also mentioned that the next-gen XC90 will also enter production at this very facility.

It is Sensible

As promised, the new Volvo S60 comes without a diesel engine on offer. No need to explain why that is a sensible move! Anyway, the power plant department has only petrol engines on offer, with or without a plug-in hybrid configuration. The entry-level variants will come with the T5 badging and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol under the bonnet. That will feed 250PS/350Nm to the front wheels only. Next in line is the T6, which makes use of the same basic engine but routes 316PS/400Nm to all four wheels.

The T6 engine will also be available with a plug-in hybrid configuration. With the added electric engine, the total power output will go up to 340PS. The range-topper T8 will only be offered with a plug-in hybrid setup. Like the electrified T6, the T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain is supercharged and turbocharged but produces 400PS/640Nm. All-wheel-drive? Oh yes! No matter which engine you choose, it will come mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Remember something called Polestar Engineered? Yes, that will be on offer too but in limited numbers only. In that spec, the electrified T8 is bumped up to produce 415PS/670Nm. It is worth mentioning that apart from the T6 plug-in hybrid, all other engine-transmission options mentioned above are for the US market.

It is Sexy

In profile, the new Volvo S60 looks like a shrunken S90. But we can’t blame Volvo for that because it is certainly a head-turner. Let’s put it this way, the Volvo-ness in S60’s design brings a whiff of freshness into the premium saloon segment which is dominated by the Germans. The “Thor’s Hammer” LED is something that we’ve become accustomed to with Volvos of late. However, the vertically oriented grille and sculpted lower diffuser bring out the sporty character of the Volvo S60. Everything from the wheels, which range from 17- to 20-inch in diameter, the subtly pronounced lip on to the boot lid, to the C-shaped Full LED taillamps and unmissable shoulder lines, makes the Volvo S60 sexy.

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The cabin too is simple and sexy at the same time. Volvo’s signature design language just dominates the senses from all possible angles. The three-spoke, multi-function steering wheel is accompanied by a digital instrument cluster, optional head-up display and paddle-shifters. The seating position is lower to make the cabin feel roomier. The new S60 is longer than its predecessor and hence offers more space for the living and non-living things too. The whole air feel is further bumped-up by the panoramic sunroof.

It is Safe

The company’s design mantra has always been dominated by passenger safety and the new Volvo S60 is no exception. Based on the same SPA platform as its elder sibling, the S90, a whole lot of safety gadgets are on offer with the new S60. The list includes blind spot information system, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping aid, run-off road mitigation, tyre pressure monitoring system and the optional pilot assist system which supports the driver with steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 130kmph.

It is Swedish

Volvo S60 Polestar Engineered

Stating the obvious but Volvo cars have always been very well equipped. The feature list includes the 9.0-inch Sensus infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4G support, heated and powered front seats, driver’s seat with memory function, 2-zone climate control and hill start assist. As optional extras, Volvo is offering a 1,100-watt, 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, backrest massage in front seats, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel.

The new Volvo S60 will surely come to India as well. We expect that to happen either by the end of this year or during the first half of next year. As mentioned before, the first lot will be brought in as a direct import from the States. But if Volvo finds volumes with the new S60 in India, the company will not waste time to make room for it in the assembly plant outside Bengaluru.

Rivals? It will take on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Lexus ES and the Jaguar XE.