Months in Fleet: 3 months
Current Mileage: 6306 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 23 mpg
Average Range: 410 miles
Service: $0
Normal Wear: $0
Repair: $0
Last year’s purchase of Volvo by the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Limited can be summed up in two words, which also happen to be one translation of Geely’s Mandarin name: good luck. The double whammy of a global recession and anxiety over the transaction prompted a near-death experience for the venerable Swedish brand. Only 21,423 Volvos were delivered in the U.S. in 2010, down by more than 100,000 units from the decade’s highest mark.
Now that customers have begun returning to the fold, bumping up sales by a factor of three, we deemed it safe to spend some quality time with the newest and possibly best Volvo on the market. The S60 is as close as Volvo has ever dared venture in the BMW direction. It’s conveniently sized, nicely designed, and endowed with ample power and traction. So we added an Ice White 2012 model to our long-term fleet, conducted the usual welcome-aboard performance assessment, and started scribbling insightful observations into its logbook. We have our fingers crossed in hopes of a pleasant long-term relationship.
Passing on the Five, but Not Much Else
For 2012, the S60’s engine choices grew from one to two. A turbocharged five-cylinder now sits at the bottom of the lineup, but we opted for the T6, powered by a 300-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged-and-intercooled inline-six. The R-Design, a late arrival for the 2012 model year, adds another 25 hp to the six’s chart. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission offered. It and the inline-six are bolted end to end and crammed sideways under the S60’s hood. Two ill effects resulting from this arrangement are an unwieldy 39-foot turning circle and front wheels that are burdened with nearly two-thirds of the total curb weight. To help avoid the crippling understeer that’s inevitable with 325 lb-ft of torque routed through the front axle, all T6 S60s are all-wheel drive.
Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q3/2012_volvo_s60_t6_awd-long-term_road_test_intro
Chicago Volvo S60 Dealers
