The sporty five door Volvo V60 is here. The advent of the new model from Volvo is seen as an attempt to enhance sales in the European wagon category. The new Volvo V60 is a smart take off from the S60, with the visible addition being the five-door feature. The Volvo V60 comes with eight different engines, and it is seen by the industry as an attempt by the company attract at least around 50,000 new customers every year.

Four inline-four petrol engines, including two 1.6-liter units that produce up to 240 Nm of torque and either 150 or 180 horsepower (112 or 134 kW), and two 2.0-liter models that produce either 203 hp (151 kW) and 300 Nm or 240 hp (179 kW) and 320 Nm would be part of the pack. Further, the inline-six would have a 3.0-liter unit that returns 304 hp (227 kW) and up to 440 Nm. The Volvo V60 is capable of racing from 0 to 100km /h in 6.6 seconds, while the electronically-limited top speed is 250 km/h.

The Volvo V60 also comes in a diesel variant that boast of 115-hp (86 kW), 270-Nm 1.6-liter inline-four, and two inline-five engines. The first, a 2.0-liter model, is capable of 163 hp (122 kW) and up to 400 Nm, while the top diesel model burns 205 horsepower (153 kW) and up to 420 Nm.

The coupe styled roof-sporting car has been built on a new dynamic chassis for the European market. Features include collision blocking aspects, pedestrian detection, all-wheel drive, tight steering, stability control and an advanced brake system. The car also holds space for 430 liters of load. We are now waiting for Volvo to give us the pricing details.

Volvo and racing are two words that together don’t appear very familiar but soon history will be made as Volvo will enter the Belgian Touring Car Series with its all new S60. There was no details discussed about Volvo S60 before and that is because, no one knew about it. It was developed in a record time and now Volvo believes that this sports sedan will offer Volvo’s most exciting driving experience until date. Te S60 will feature a racing body kit along with a tubular frame chassis, a revised suspension and high-performance brakes. The racing scorcher will be powered by a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V6 engine capable of producing 410hp and this engine will be clubbed with a six-speed sequential transmission.

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Volvo as a brand admires station wagons the most and while the 2011 Volvo S60 has just started rolling of the production facility, spy shots of its station wagon edition V60 have started to appear on the web. The V60 is based on the S60 and while Volvo is testing it out there in the cold, there is still no word on when the V60 prototype will hit the production floor.

Indeed, Volvo hasn’t gone ahead and confirmed its production status but these winter testing spy shots give us hope that it should happen sometime soon. If Volvo does give it a nod ahead, the commuter will hit the market in petrol and diesel turbocharged engines in four, five and six cylinder formats while an AWD is also a possibility. [via WCF]

The finalists for the 2010 South African Snoozefest Car of the year have been announced. The finalists in no particular order of monotony are:

• Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4i Turbo Petrol
• Audi Q5 2.0 T STronic
• Chevy Cruze 1.8 LS
• Hyundai i20 1.6 GLS
• Suzuki Alto 1(!) litre GLS
• Toyota Prius
• VW Golf 6 1.4 TSI 90 kw Comfortline
• Volvo XC60 3.0T Geartronic

From here on the finalists go on a couple of tests which include high speed dynamic assessment, parking ability, handling and other tests all while monitoring the fuel consumption.

I suppose they will have a proper car to tow some of these babies around to get them to high speed because on their own steam they won’t get there.

Anyway, which one do you think will win and why – leave a comment.

Do you remember the concept teaser image of the new Volvo S60 that has left us drooling about a year ago? What about the spaceship-like teasing interior of the new Volvo S60 that we laid our eyes ahead of the Detroit show, last December? Well folks we can finally got our hands on the first official photos with the 2011 Volvo S60 Luxury Sedan, before its public debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show. “The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you,” says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of Volvo Cars. “It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the car’s technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel.” Not much else to tell you about it, except for the fact that it sure has what it takes to win a man’s heart.

The new Volvo C70 looks like a panther crouched and ready to leap. At the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Swedes have revealed a model that will put its past well behind and generate plenty of excitement on its way by. The new Volvo C70 sports a retractable hard top, a sleek front end and headlights positioned to peer into the darkness. This beauty carries all of the great safety features you’ve come to expect in a Volvo without compromising style or performance. With three engine options generating 140hp, 170hp, or 230hp, Volvo has positioned itself for a roll, a sprint or a dash down the high fashion runway.

With the 2009 Auto Show just about the corner in Geneva, more and more manufacturers are teasing us with images and specs. Volvo does the same. They’ve just announced that for next week’s show the company is preparing to bring in a stylish facelifted Volvo S80. Featuring a larger grille with a more prominent Volvo logo, chrome trimmed front air intakes and stylish cues, the new S80 will probably win you over with its elegant interior. Blessed with a twin-turbo five-cylinder 2.4-liter turbo-diesel engine that sports 205 hp and 420 Nm of torque and a lowered sport chassis, we’re definitely in for a test drive. Volvo, call us!

One quick initial look at the Volvo S60 and you have to be impressed with the ultra-modern design, cool futuristic look and flowing contours that are borrowed from the company’s racing experience. The company has given the car a Scandinavian look with LED lights that inside the headlamps designed to reflect the image of two miniature Viking longboats sailing side by side. The entire car has a wonderful sporty look that suits perfectly well for the modern road, while the unique new pedestrian safety system allows the car to apply automatic brakes when someone jumps in front of the car. Safety with sizzling curves… S60 delivers big time.

Do you remember that spaceship-like teasing interior of the future S60? Volvo managed to surprise us again. Check out that teasing image of their aggressive-looking S60 Concept. “The inspiration comes from the Swedish coastline’s cliffs and seas. An exciting blend of drama and sensuality,” said Steve Mattin, director of design. With straight lines, lots of sex appeal and an unique Orrefors crystal interior, I’m sold when I look at this beauty. I’d wish I’d know more to tell you guys, but that only picture is all we have for now.

Look at this beauty and tell me you’re not envious with those Chinese that are going to get their hands on that limousine-like Volvo S80L. I’m not sure if the Chinese market is feeling this whole crisis, if sales are down or if manufacturers file for bankruptcy, but what I am sure is that I’d love to drive that little whale. 14cm longer than the  standard S80, with larger rear seats and  a high class interior, the new Volvo S80L will sure compete against Audi’s A6 or BMW’s 5-series. It’s gonna be a fierce battle in China.