2019 Volvo S60 breaks cover

The third-generation S60 is the first Volvo to ditch diesel technology.

Volvo Cars has fully revealed the new S60 mid-size premium sports saloon at the Swedish company’s first US manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina. The new S60 is also the first made in US car from Volvo.

The new S60 marks Volvo’s departure from diesel technology, signalling the company’s commitment to electrification and a long-term future beyond the traditional combustion engine. 

Two turbocharged and supercharged plug-in hybrid petrol engines will be available on the new S60. Volvo’s T6 Twin Engine AWD plug-in hybrid generates a combined 335bhp, while the higher-spec T8 Twin Engine AWD plug-in hybrid delivers 394bhp. Additionally, Volvo’s T5 and T6 petrol only powertrains will also be available at launch.

New aesthetics of the third-gen S60 are shared with other modern Volvos, most notably the V60 and S90, which is not a bad thing at all. The front is almost similar to its wagon twin, the V60, while the C-shaped tail lamps are inspired by the S90. 

At the rear, the S60 incorporates the license plate in its trunk lid itself, thus differentiating it from its bigger saloon sibling. Inside too is a similar story - the clean and elegant design, which debuted on the XC90, elevates the car's interior to a whole new level as compared to the outgoing model.   

Safety wise, the City Safety with Autobrake technology assists the driver in avoiding potential collisions, and is the only system on the market to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. City Safety also engages auto braking to mitigate oncoming collisions. 

The optional Pilot Assist system – which supports the driver with steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 130km/h – has been upgraded with improved cornering performance. The new S60 also includes Run-off Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation and other steering assistance systems. 
  
Electrified versions of the new S60 also offer a performance handling upgrade called Polestar Engineered – developed by Volvo’s electric performance arm, Polestar. Polestar Engineered is available exclusively on the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid model and upgrades the car’s wheels, brakes, suspension and engine control unit, boosting the S60 T8 combined output to 409bhp.

The Volvo S60 sits in a very competitive segment which includes the Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Jaguar XE and the likes.