Volvo S60 2.0T, Volvo S60 T6 Review
Swede Decadence

Swedish manufacturers seem to have a knack for having very long product life cycles for their cars. The Saab 9-5 is a case in point. The big Saab was first launched in 1997 and has soldiered on till this year with only minor updates and tweaks along the way. It took Saab 13 years before announcing a new generation 9-5 earlier this year! It's pretty much the same case for the Volvo S60 as well. The S60 was first introduced in 2000 as the replacement for the last of the boxy Volvos, the 850.

For almost a decade, the S60 limped on to carry the torch for Volvo in the junior executive class but it has ultimately been surpassed by more modern competitors like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series among other models. 2010 though, marks the year that the S60 finally claws its way back towards the class leaders with its latest iteration, the second generation model.

The all-new S60 wears a set of new clothes that stays true to Volvo's contemporary design themes and styling ethos. The overall design first appeared on the S60 concept from 2008. Volvo describes the styling as a coupe with four doors and from the flanks, the S60 is true to its maker's description. The heavily sloping roof line continues to meet a steeply raked rear windscreen that is further accentuated by cleverly designed C-pillars and a short rear deck that give the saloon an even more sporty, coupe like profile. The rear is no less distinctive thanks to boomerang-shaped LED tail lamps.

The front-end styling isn't as convincing though. The nose mimics the recently facelifted C30's and C70's but the upswept headlamps somehow look over exaggerated on an executive saloon like the S60. Despite its coupe like looks, traditional Volvo design features like the egg crate inserts for the radiator grille and the wide shoulder haunches are ever present. All in all, the new S60 is a very well proportioned four-door saloon that shows more than a hint of dynamism and sportiness.