The Volvo V 60: Practically perfect

Written by Damian Murphy
Wednesday, 05 October 2011 17:54

When you think of Volvo, you think safety and practicality. With its new range, Volvos is not looking to change the way you think of its cars, it is trying to change the way you see them and how they appeal to the broader, younger market. Previous generations of Volvo might have been a little on the unimpressive side in the looks department. They are ordinary-looking boxes that have four wheels attached.

Volvo’s new ethos is to produce something that is naughty but nice. The fabulous new range of S60s and V60s gave us a chance to see, feel and embrace a car that has come a long way to tackle a demanding market head-on.

The V60 is a very practical car that has been built with the family in mind. It has generous amounts of space, both for passengers and luggage. The model we had was the V60 T6 all-wheel drive, with a six-cylinder 3.0 litre engine. While the space provides real comfort and practicality, the engine is what throws your inhibitions out the window. Delivering 224 kilowatts at 5600 revolutions per minute with a massive 440 nanometre of torque, this station wagon is no slouch.

It is that exact balance of practical elements with precise specifications that make the V60 the nearly perfect family car – zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 6.2 seconds, but with top-of-the-range ABS brakes that could stop you without much warning. Dynamic stability control, electronic brake assist, whiplash-protection systems, every kind of air bag and five three-point seatbelts make this a safety blanket for all situations.

Since Volvo face lifted its fleet, it has garnered a massive following from a younger audience, who appreciate the fact that all the safety elements can be packaged in a sexy little number. The V60 is the perfect family car. Volvo’s V60 starts at about R320 800.