Volvo S60 T6 R-Design Review: Safe sex

What we like:

Noticeably improved suspension settings

sexy looks

stylish interior

well-equipped package

strong mid-range performance

What we dislike:

Doesn’t come with any extra power or performance over standard T6

The second generation S60’s interior features a refreshing take on the typical simple Scandinavian style Volvo cabin. It’s a good place to be in thanks to its wraparound and hence cozy driving environment, plush and comfortable seats as well as the soft surfaces and quality feel throughout.

The screen on the centre of the dash displays settings for audio, climate control as well as the car’s systems. Without a touchpad or a big rotary knob, the menus are not so intuitive to access at first but the user should be able to get use to the operating system over time, making it a cinch to select the right menu and function with just the push of a button or two followed by turning one of the two knobs.

Like its exterior, the R-Design model also offers several interior enhancements that include a sports steering wheel with the R-Design badge clad in perforated leather, blue coloured dials for the instruments that are inspired by the old S60 R’s, a sports gear knob wrapped in perforated leather, aluminium inlays, sports pedals, R-Design floor mats and Flextech/textile/leather combi upholstery for the seats.

In T6 trim, the S60 is fully loaded with standard kit and luxuries like bi-Xenon headlamps, Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist (that works at speeds below 30km/h and all the way to standstill), Collision Warning with full auto brake and Pedestrian Detection, rear park assist with reversing camera, sat nav with voice control, sunroof, electric adjustment for the front seats, Bluetooth handsfree telephone and so on. The T6 R-Design also features an upgraded premium performance sound system with 12 speakers. Other safety kit standard across the S60 range include the XC60’s City Safety, a plethora of airbags as well as traditional Volvo safety features like WHIPS and SIPS.

The R-Design package is an extra cost option available for the S60 T4, T5 and T6 models. Depending on the model, the R-Design package costs between $10k to $15k. In the case of the T6, the R-Design bits and suspension mods will set you back a somewhat negligible $10k more, which is worthy every penny in my opinion, especially when taking into consideration how much better the S60 looks inside and out and how better sorted the suspension is when compared to a standard S60 T6.

Credits: Story and photos by Raymond Lai