2003 Volvo S60 T5 Sedan Review
SEE ALSO: Volvo Buyer's Guide
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS Old Volvo: boxy and boring, safe and good for you. Solid, sensible, but not really fast or luxurious, Volvos of the 1970s through mid-1990s were kind of the automotive equivalent of those negative-heel Scandinavian shoes that were popular with the Volvo demographic in the 1970s. New Volvo: Still safe, still solid, but with sleek style, exuberant performance, and refinement to match the best sport-luxury sedans the world has to offer. The car that best exemplifies the new Volvo is the S60 sedan. A variety of S60 models are offered with naturally- aspirated and low-pressure turbocharged 2.4-liter engines to satisfy the mainstream market, adding style and refinement to the traditional Volvo values. With a 2.3-liter high-pressure turbo version of Volvo's inline five-cylinder engine, the T5 adds serious performance to the equation. I've been driving an S60 T5 for the past week, and it's been a pleasure. It combines distinctive style with great comfort, and a healthy 247 horsepower with commendable 24 mpg fuel economy. Volvo hasn't always been thought of as a maker of sports sedans, except by an underground of enthusiasts, but with the S60 T5 it has a car that challenges the world's best-known manufacturers of such machinery. And, if 247 horses aren't enough, watch out for the upcoming S60R. With all-wheel drive, 300 horsepower, and a sophisticated electronically-controlled suspension, it's aimed at the premium ultra-performance German ``tuner'' sedans. APPEARANCE: Volvo has always marched to its own tune in styling, with rounded cars when others were square, and square cars when others were rounded. Volvo styling is still unique, but now, especially with the S60, it's good-looking as well as aerodynamically functional. The new hasn't worn off the S60, either. Its broad shoulders and long hood, short rear deck shape are enhanced by a coupe-like roofline to give it a dynamic appearance that mixes performance with elegance. COMFORT: Swedish design is known for its uncluttered simplicity and use of colors and geometric forms. Even though the Volvo design team is international in scope, the S60's interior is very much an example of Swedish Modern style. Good design and use of materials, textures, and colors makes the car seem even roomier than it is, and there is no shortage of space for people and their luggage. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, even for long periods, the better to keep the driver and passenger alert - safety is everywhere in a Volvo. A ``cockpit'' semi-wraparound instrument panel presents necessary information well, and all controls are within easy reach of the driver. Volvo's iconic climate control switches are the most self-explanatory in the industry, and set the tone for the S60's control design. There is no need to consult the fine print in the manual. In the T5, both front seats are power-adjustable, and the manual tilt-and-telescope adjustable steering wheel helps the driver to find the perfect position. There is good rear-seat headroom, and, as in the larger S80, rear seat passengers have B-pillar climate control vents. Numerous small, useful storage spaces add convenience. The trunk is large for the car's size, and the rear seat folds with a 60/40 split when it's necessary to carry oversize items. SAFETY: Volvo is nearly synonymous with safety, and the S60 has a full complement of standard safety equipment. Its chassis features a strong central safety structure around occupants, with front and rear crush zones and side impact protection. All seating positions have three-point safety belts, and the seats are designed to reduce the possibility of whiplash. Dual-stage front, side-impact, and side- curtail air bags are standard in all S60s. The Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system is standard in the T5. ROADABILITY: To me, the S60 T5's suspension calibration best exemplifies its refinement. Older Volvos could be on the harsh side, especially on bad roads. There is no such problem with the S60 in any trim, and especially with the T5, even with the optional sport suspension, which my test car had. It is more ``sport-touring'' in calibration than hard-core sports, which makes it perfect for the real world. Anchored to a very rigid chassis structure for maximum control, it is supple enough for comfort, even on long drives, but firm enough for good control in fast cornering. The T5 is a front- wheel drive car with nearly 250 horsepower, but has no torque steer problem. PERFORMANCE: The 2.3-liter five-cylinder high-pressure turbocharged T5 engine is the performance leader of the S60 range, at least until the S60R comes along. I drove a T5 with the standard manual gearbox shortly after it was introduced, and was impressed by the engine's flexibility and power and the transmission's good linkage. This week's test car had the optional five-speed automatic, with ``Geartronic'' manual-shift mode. Good news: in normal, or even enthusiastic, driving, it makes little difference in performance compared to the manual. In Geartronic mode, it shifts quickly and smoothly, allowing full use of the engine's impressive top-end power. In ``Drive'' it shifts at lower rpms, but still allows plenty of performance. The engine's broad torque curve is responsible, with its maximum 243 lb-ft available between 2400 and 5200 rpm, at which the 247 horsepower makes itself felt with a unique five- cylinder howl. And, fuel economy, at 24 mpg, is as impressive as its speed. CONCLUSIONS: The Volvo S60T5 combines power, comfort, and elegance. SPECIFICATIONS 2003 Volvo S60 T5 Sedan Base Price $ 32,825 Price As Tested $ 38,870 Engine Type dual overhead cam turbocharged and intercooled inline 5-cylinder Engine Size 2.3 liters / x cu. in. Horsepower 247 @ 5200 rpm Torque (lb-ft) 243 @ 2400-5200 rpm Transmission 5-speed automatic (5-speed manual standard) Wheelbase / Length 107 in. / 180.2 in. Curb Weight 3446 lbs. Pounds Per Horsepower 14 Fuel Capacity 18.5 gal. Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline Tires P325/45 VR17 Pirelli P6 Four Season Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc, antilock standard Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut / independent multilink Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive PERFORMANCE EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed 20 / 28 / 24 0 to 60 mph est 7.0 sec (auto) OPTIONS AND CHARGES Metallic paint $ 450 Climate package - includes: heated front seats, headlamp washers and wipers, rainsensor $ 495 Touring package - includes: grocery bag holder, laminated side windows, Interior Air Quality System $ 495 Automatic transmission with Geartronic $ 1,200 Premium package - includes: Leather seating surfaces, power glass moonroof $ 1,995 Sport package - includes 17-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension $ 750 Destination charge $ 660