A sports sedan built for the real world
What is it?
The Volvo S60 T6 R-Design is a premium sports sedan, but not one you'd want if, say, your daily commute involved the Nürburgring. While we reckon it'd be perfectly capable of knocking out a couple of laps at the Green Hell without issue, Volvo's latest S60 was designed for the real world — the one where you slog to and from your job in miserable weather, the one where you sit in traffic and the one where you have to haul your friends and family around.
What's new?
Since launch, Volvo has offered a peppy version of its midsize S60 sedan in T6 AWD form (300 hp). This new R-Design adds a bit more verve with a great-looking valance, 18-inch wheels and sporty interior accents. Though it's not so much a proper R car a la 850 T5-R or S60R, this is its most powerful car to date and offers more than just enhanced visuals. Volvo's engineers — seemingly a touch too busy to do it themselves — have teamed up with tuning firm Polestar to remap the engine's ECU. The result is a 25-hp gain (325 hp) and a thoroughly respectable 354 lb.-ft. of torque, all of which comes at no cost to fuel economy or mandate for premium fuel.
Unlike previous R-Design cars, a considerable amount of work has been done to the chassis too. Beyond the strut tower brace, the car takes a pass on the T6's optional Four-C adaptive chassis, instead sitting on fixed-rate springs that are 15 mm lower and new monotube dampers. All key bushings have also been replaced with stiffer units.
What's it like to drive?
For what one might mistake as a simple appearance package, the R-Design feels different and even better than the standard T6. Kudos to Polestar for the engine; the 3.0L straight-six retains its smooth and free-spinning nature, but punches much harder and without lag. Harnessed with all-wheel drive, it's a stealthy all-weather rocket. However, there are two down sides: an overly sensitive throttle pedal, and an automatic transmission which lacks paddles and rev-matched downshifts.
This is also a supremely comfortable car. Beyond the seats — always a Volvo strength — the ride isn't too sharp or choppy even though it is notably stiffer. More importantly, it's a good deal more compliant than its direct rivals. Though the steering is not especially communicative — another Volvo trait — it's easy to get the R to flow from corner to corner and corner with a good degree of finesse, an impressive feat given the big honking engine mounted transversely (side to side) between the front wheels.
Should you buy one?
We're not sure about you per se, but we would, and in a heartbeat. So many midsize European sports sedans deliver the goods when it comes to hot laps of tracks and alpine passes, but they often fall down when it comes to real-world livability. And that's exactly where the S60 R-Design excels. Yes, you'll probably see rivals' tail lights on the track, but this car is smoother, more comfortable and allows you to relax when you need it. If you've never considered a Volvo before, this one's certainly worth investigating.
2012 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design
Base price / As-tested: $50,325 / $59,375
Type of vehicle: AWD compact luxury sedan
Engine: 3.0L, 24-valve, DOHC I-6 turbocharged
Power/Torque: 325 hp / 354 lb.-ft.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
0-100 km/h (est.): 5.7 seconds
Fuel economy (city/hwy/as-tested): 11.3 / 7.7 / 10.8 L/100 km
Competition: Acura TL SH-AWD, Audi S4, BMW 335i xDrive, Buick Regal GS, Infiniti G37xS, Lexus IS 350 AWD, Mercedes-Benz C 350 4Matic, Volkswagen Passat CC 3.6 4Motion
QUICK SPIN SUMMARY
PROS
Swift, sweet engine
Comfortable
Looks great
CONS
Touchy throttle pedal
Lacks steering feel
Incompetent navigation system
