Volvo announces engines for upcoming V60 Sportswagon

Volvo has been listening to its American admirers. That's why next year we're going to get the fastest and most powerful wagon in Volvo history. Yes, it sounds like a good chunk of Volvo's U.S. fan base is made up entirely of automotive journalists. Otherwise, how can one explain the presence of the 3.0-liter 325-hp and 354 lb-ft of torque T6 engine in the upcoming V60 R-Design? We're just glad that proper Volvo wagons are back, though we're still not sure why the U.S. didn't get the V60 wagon before just about every other global market did.

Don't worry, if the V60 R-Design proves to be too much of a good thing, there are slightly mellower versions in the V60 engine lineup. The V60 will offer engines from the new Drive-E family of powerplants, diesel and gasoline engines that use turbocharging and direct injection. But the U.S. won't be getting the diesel version of the Drive-E engine, which snatches away our dream (and the dream of many Volvo buyers, for sure) of being able to buy a brown diesel wagon with a manual transmission.

One of the available engines will be a 240-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, admittedly making quite a bit more power than we were used to with the Volvo wagons of yore. The 2.0-liter T5 will be coupled with front wheel-drive.

Another available powerplant will be the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine making 250 hp. It'll be coupled with Volvo's all wheel-drive system.

Volvo
The brilliant V60 wagon is finally coming to our shores.

"This is an exciting time of transformation for Volvo and shows our Swedish heart is beating strongly," said Volvo Cars of North America president and CEO John Maloney. "The V60 signifies our first step in a gradual move toward powerful, highly efficient, four-cylinder engines across the entire portfolio of our vehicles."

The bottom line is: all of the engines in the V60 will offer plenty of power, and will channel it via eight-speed automatic transmissions. Expect start-stop and other fuel-saving measures when the V60 hits Volvo dealerships early next year. There's no mention of pricing just yet, but we will let you know as soon as Volvo releases more details.

By Jay Ramey