Volvo revamps S60, V60 and XC60 for 2013

Volvo has taken a scalpel to six of the eight models, reworking the styling and upgraded their on-board infotainment. Despite only being on sale since summer 2010, the S60, V60 and XC60 have been stripped of their quad-light styling. There are also more subtle changes for the V70, XC70 and S80 models.

The front-end styling has been reworked, with the S60 saloon, V60 estate and XC60 crossover losing their four-eyed headlights in favour of simple one-piece clusters, like the V40 hatchback's. There’s also been some slight grille reshaping and new LED daytime running lights.

You can now spec 19-inch wheels on the S60 and V60, though the tyre profile stays the same as an 18-inch wheel's to help the ride comfort. The XC60 pulls the same sidewall trick and now wears 20s as an option. S60 and V60 models are now offered with Volvo’s lowered sports chassis option, though if it’s anything like the lowered, stiffer V40 hatchback, it might be a bit of a knobbly ride.

The XC60 has also had all its black exterior trim binned in favour of body-colour trim, and has new trim option inside too. On the dynamics front, torque-vectoring is now standard on the XC60, which brakes the inside wheels during cornering to quell understeer and tighten the soft-roader’s line.

Inside the S60, V60 and XC60, Volvo is introducing g its ‘Sensus’ seven-inch touchscreen interface, which, in  a nod to the car’s cold-weather Scandinavian origins, can be operated while wearing gloves. Internet connectivity and downloadable apps are integrated into the system, which can also be retro-fitted to 2011-onwards model year Volvos via a downloadable dealer update.

The adaptive dashboard instrument display is carried over from the V40 hatchback to the S60, V60 and XC60, complete with switchable, ‘Eco’, ‘Elegance’ and ‘Dynamic’ modes. Eco mode gives you an ‘Eco meter’ and a green display, while ‘Dynamic’ turns the whole interface red and brings up a big rev-counter and XXL speed read-out. ‘Elegance’ is the best compromise, though you have to put up with a brown-tint to your instruments.

The XC60’s black plastic exterior trim is binned in favour of body-colour trim, and has fresh material options inside too. On the dynamics front, torque-vectoring is now standard on the XC60, which brakes the inside wheels during cornering to quell understeer and tighten the soft-roader’s line.

The fuel consumption of the 113bbhp, four-cylinder D2 diesel in the Volvo S60 with a manual gearbox has been improved to 70.6mpg and 106g/km of CO2. The auto models scores 68.9mpg and 107 g/km. The V60 estate trails its saloon cousin slightly in all figures. Auto models can now be specced with steering wheel paddleshifters for do-it-yourself ratio-swapping.
The XC60 D5 (212bhp) and the D4 (161bhp) versions, equipped with a manual gearbox and all-wheel drive, are now cleaner, returning 139 g/km and 53.3mpg. Petrol engine figures also improve slightly across the board.

The ageing large cars in Volvo’s range have updated light graphics front and rear, and the Sensus interface inside. Engines have been tweaked for better fuel economy and CO2 performance too. There’s no update for the big XC90 SUV because Volvo’s seven-seater school bus is due for a full replacement in 2014, with a butch new look and a plug-in hybrid option.

By Ollie Kew