S40 & C30 to remain, possibly in hybrid

This press release from Volvo Australia hints that at least the C30 and S40 will be retained into the future as premium compact cars for at least some markets, where they are still doing well, and that they would be the first models featured in the bottom-up roll out of diesel hybrid technology.

 At that launch of a refreshed engine and pricing line up for the small cars, Volvo Australia Managing Director Alan Dressells went into more detail about the upcoming S60/V60 compact executive models also, indicating more about engine line up:

• 2.0(?) GTDi petrol
• 2.4 i5 petrol
• D5 turbo diesel

and confirming the availability of an AWD drivetrain. Read the full story below:

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/46868/volvo-introduces-new-diesel-powertrains-to-australian-line-up-outlines-future-green-strategy/

Blind Artist's Painting of All-New Volvo S60 Goes on eBay Auction

http://www.swedespeed.com/news/publish/Volvo_News/article_1681.html

What's new and cool with the 2010 S60?

• Styling - with a short rear deck and highly distinctive front lights and grille, it is a big departure from the previous S60, while retaining the four-door coupe aspirations. Featured from Volvo's new corporate design language are a new large Volvo iron symbol, parallel to the grille day running lamps, and larger spaced letters in the brand name on rear. 

• This is the first Volvo to have dimensions placing it head to head with German premium makers. Previous Volvos were half a class between the Germans: The old S60 was smaller than the 5 Series/E-Class/A6 of its day but bigger than a 3 Series/A4/C-Class, while the S40 was smaller than the 3 Series/A4/C-Class but bigger than the 1 Series and A3. The new S60 will tackle the 3 Series and Audi A4 head on. "If we were a market leader, we could do cars outside the established size classes, but at our size we can't", an unnamed Volvo exec is quoted.

• Safety will be high on the innovations list: Collision Warning system with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection will be the highlight. This goes one step further than the Collision Warning with Brake Support system in the XC60 - the system in the XC60 is not intended to fully brake the car to a stop, even though it will (very sharply!) stop you hitting an obstacle by abruptly slamming on the stoppers at a critical distance from an obstacle.

• Engines - I predict 9 engine options - 4 diesel and 5 petrol/gas:
• DIESEL: in Europe, I expect a 1.6D (DRIVe - 109bhp), 2.0D (136bhp), 2.4D (173bhp) and D5 (twin turbo 2.4D - 205bhp)
• GAS/PETROL: 3.2 (235bhp) and T6 (3.0T - 281bhp) as in present XC60. Also more or less for certain is a 1.6 GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct injection) four cylinder based on Ford EcoBoost technology offering outputs from 150 to 180bhp - replacing current generation 2.0 and 2.5T gas power plants. Fingers crossed for an R engine to go into a revived S60R/V60R - probably a direct injection 3.0T upped to 300+bhp, or if Volvo were out to emulate the M3/C-Class AMG, the Yamaha V8 with a few tweaks to bring the output up around the 360bhp mark (the current M3 is good for 414bhp from it's 4 litre).

• Transmissions - given the current crop of Volvo transmissions, and the stated intention of developing Powershift for engines larger than 4 cylinder, I would assume that both gas and diesel engines will come with a choice of 5 and 6 speed manual (5MT/6MT) and 6 speed Powershift dual clutch (6DCT). The older, less efficient Geartronic ought not to be installed in the new car, although it is used in the closely related XC60. At least the T6 and D5 will offer 4th generation Haldex AWD to avoid help distribute the power and torque. And hopefully a version of Haldex XWD as used on the Saab Turbo-X exclusively to date in the S60R to really make it a machine to trash around. Imagine how neatly Volvo could integrate paddle-shifters into the steering column? Yes, please!

• Cross Country - will we see a smaller, less aggressive sibling to the XC60 and XC70? Audi have released an A4 Allroad based on the current A4 Avant to join their Q5 and A6 Allroad, and Volvo have the technology and styling know how from the XC60 and XC70 mentioned above to make a slightly raised AWD V60 with plastic side mouldings and skid plates to cater for those who live in the snow belt or occasionally tow a boat or horse trailer. V60XC anyone?

Video of the new S60 in testing

Video of the S60 in action including new safety innovations

via Car Buyers Guide

Volvo testing new Collision Warning system with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection in a disguised 2011 S60 prototype in Copenhagen.

Volvo announced today that it was recently testing its new Collision Warning system with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection in a disguised S60 prototype in Copenhagen. The technology will be introduced with the 2011 Volvo S60 next year.



http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/10/12/official-spy-shots-2011-volvo-s60-tests-new-collision-warning-system-in-copenhagen/ 

The same site has some more....
http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/10/07/2011-volvo-s60-swedens-bmw-3-series-coming-next-year/

First official Volvo photos of new S60 - just in time for Geneva Car Show

Geneva International Motor Show runs 4th - 14th March 2010.


Swedish carmaker Volvo has popped the covers off its new S60 sedan that will make its first public outing at the Geneva Salon in March 2010 with production and sales set to start in early summer of the same year. Albeit toned down a notch, the exterior design of the production model has remained incredibly close to the concept model that appeared at this January's Detroit Show retaining its sloping, coupe-like roofline and curvy waistline as well as the distinct front-end styling.

While Volvo has yet to release any photos of the interior, it is believed that the styling will again be influenced, though to a much less degree, by the concept model's cabin featuring a same shape dashboard.

Contrary to its predecessor that was awkwardly positioned between the BMW 3- and 5-Series, the new S60 is sized and designed to compete directly against the smaller bimmer and the Audi A4 in the small executive sedan segment.

Underneath the sheetmetal, the 2011 S60 uses a variation of Ford's EUCD platform that underpins cars like Volvo's own S80 and the European Mondeo and S-MAX / Galaxy.

No technical details were disclosed, but Volvo promises that the new S60 will be more driver orientated that its predecessor.

"The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you. 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," says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

The new sedan is expected to be offered with a variety of gasoline and diesel engines including Ford's new EcoBoost 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine featuring turbocharging, direct injection and outputs ranging from 150 to 180 horsepower.

Among other highlights will be a new Pedestrian Detection system that can detect pedestrians in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver does not react in time.

Powershift Dual Clutch Automatic/Manual Transmission

 The 2010 Volvo S60 will feature Powershift dual clutch automated transmission in at least some of the engines in the range.

Volvo/Ford Powershift is a development of Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH, a 50:50 Ford and Getrag JV.  The new gear box was jointly designed by Ford, Getrag and Volvo. There are currently two versions and Volvo is rumoured to be working on a third heavy duty version for use in upcoming larger engines.

The Powershift box is reported as being fantastic to drive, with incredible levels of smoothness. Shifts are reported to be almost imperceptible. It has all the benefits of an automatic when cruising and stuck in traffic etc but none of the annoying 'kick down' associated with standard automatics. As the current Powershift has been developed for the Volvo/Ford 2.0D with its 320Nm of torque, the transmission  electronics are intelligent enough to make full use of that wide spread of torque to accelerate, without having to sort through the gears looking for more revs. If extra grunt is called for however, the gearbox will drop down to give more urgent acceleration, but again this is very smooth. It doesn’t have the vagueness of a CVT.

New S60 to compete directly with 3 series & A4, to have V60 as wagon variant

Motor Trend cites an interview with an un-named Volvo marketing source who confirmed the sizing and market placement of the new 2010 S60 model. While the outgoing S60 sat in a size category above it's perceived main competition, the new model will compete head-on with the German trio of the BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class.
 

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifSpy Shots of All New S60

Autoexpress have the clearest spy shots yet of a S60 test car with only the slightest hint of camouflage. Following a preview in concept form nine months ago in Detroit, today the car is clearly ready to be let out into the world. Very little has been lost in transition from concept to production - even the paint colour remains the same deep ochre-orange.

If all goes to plan the new Volvo S60 will go on sale in Summer 2010.

Preview of new 2010 Volvo S60

Motor Authority published a post and a rendering outlining what seems to be the common position on the next generation Volvo S60. I have read similar information around the web in various forms, but this article ties it together nicely.

All that they have missed out is the change in the launch date to 2010, as per previous post here.

New Volvo S60 launch delayed until 2010

Left Lane News and The Motor Report run stories stating that Volvo has scrapped plans to unveil the production S60 sedan at the Frankfurt Auto Show, instead holding off until 2010 due to uncertaintity about Volvo's future sale.