Swedish carmaker Volvo has unleashed an updated version of its flagship sedan - the Volvo S60 - onto South African roads, with the S60 now boasting extra helpings of Scandinavian style and power.   

The new S60 boasts a sportier front thanks to more aggressive-looking headlamps, a wider grille as well as daylight running lights. This aggressive styling is not just for show, as the S60 range now boast some added performance bite to complement its styling bark.

Beneath the Swedish bonnet

Buyers can opt for the 3 litre T6 petrol engine that cranks out 224 kW and a mountain-to-molehill reducing torque figure of 440 Nm. Fuel consumption for this powerplant is rated at 9.9 litres per 100 km by Volvo.

The new Volvo S60 range further offers drivers a 2 litre GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) T5 engine that produces 177 kW and 320 Nm of torque. A more fuel efficient (6.8 litres per 100 km) 1.6 litre GTDi powerplant is also available in two versions, namely a 132 kW variant powering the T4 model, and a 110 kW under the hood of the T3.

Diesel fans can have their needs met by a five-cylinder D5 turbo diesel that delivers 158 kW and 440 Nm of torque, with the D5 with automatic gearbox consuming less than 6 litres per 100 km on a combined-cycle (town and highway driving).

Even more impressive fuel economy figures are provided via the automatic D4 (120 kW) versions of the new Volvo S60, as it consumes a mere 4.8 litres per 100 km while the manual variant lowers this to just 4.3 litres per 100 km.

The Volvo S60 sports a eye-catching derriere and thanks to the upgraded powerplants, its the view of the car you'll be seeing most of. 

Safety tech encyclopedia

Volvo cars are synonymous with safety and the new S60 range includes a myriad of new, class-leading features including Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection. This technology scans the area ahead of the car for cyclists and pedestrians, and if a cyclist should suddenly swerve out in front of the S60, the driver gets an instant warning while full braking power is applied automatically.

The Swedish firm has enhanced its City Safety system which now activates at speeds of up to 50 km/h (previously only up to 30 km/h). City Safety keeps an eye on traffic in front of your vehicle with the help of a laser sensor that is integrated into the top of the windscreen. This system enables the car to automatically brake if the driver fails to react in time to a vehicle ahead of you slowing down or suddenly stopping.

Besides keeping an eye on traffic in front of drivers, the S60 also improves monitoring approaching traffic via Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). This radar-based system is now able to check for and alert the driver to rapidly approaching vehicles up to 70 m behind the car.

Whilst driving at night the S60’s new low-speed Cornering Light feature will light up the area the driver is steering towards for safer manoeuvring. This system also automatically activates the side cornering lights when reversing, which may be very useful when reversing out of narrow driveway.

The S60 has many feature aces up its safety sleeve including Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection.

Pricing (including VAT and emissions tax)

S60 T3 Manual Essential                               R329 600                                             

S60 T3 Manual Excel                                     R334 500                             

S60 T3 Manual Elite                                       R350 500          

S60 T3 Powershift Excel                              R355 400

S60 T4 Manual Excel                                     R358 100

S60 T3 Powershift Elite                                 R369 300

S60 T4 Manual Elite                                       R374 100

S60 T4 Powershift Excel                              R375 500

S60 D4 Manual Excel                                   R381 500

S60 T4 Powershift Elite                                 R391 500

S60 D4 Geartronic Excel                               R397 500

S60 D4 Manual Elite                                       R397 500

S60 D4 Geartronic Elite                                 R413 600

S60 T5 Powershift Excel                              R430 100

S60 T5 Powershift Elite                                 R446 100

S60 T5 Powershift R-Design                        R454 100

S60 D5 Geartronic Elite                                 R457 500

S60 D5 Geartronic R-Design                       R465 500

S60 T6 Geartronic AWD Elite                        R518 800

S60 T6 Geartronic AWD R-Design                R526 700

All Volvos come standard with a 5 year or 100 000 km Volvo plan (warranty and maintenance).

In other motoring related news, market research company Polk’s latest research recently revealed that the best-selling model range in the world during Q1 2013 was Ford’s Focus.