Road Beat: 2019 Volvo V60 T6 AWD, Momentum is certainly not lacking

Momentum has many synonyms such as thrust, energy, force or push. With this new Volvo, it is most appropriate as it can sprint from 0-60 mph in less than 5.2 seconds a world class time. OK, so there is little question this Volvo and many others powered by its T6, 316 hp 2.0L turbo and supercharged engine are extremely quick. It’s a relatively a new trait brought on about 20 years ago with an S60 T6 sedan, a vehicle I called the Rolex Rocket for its brilliant blue instrumentation ala a blue faced Rolex Submariner wristwatch. That same car I remember as having a six-speed manual shifter that resembled Missile Command ball controller.

Volvo Cars, which is now owned by Geely, a Chinese car maker for the last several years, has transformed itself from the makers of the world’s most boxy car (models dating back to the 140-240 series produced from 1966-1993) to some of the best looking cars in the world as shown by the new S90 and V90 sedans and the XC60 and XC90 SUVs. The new V60 sports wagon is no exception, perhaps the best looking, best proportioned Volvo ever (Yes, I know about the P1800 and P1800ES). In fact, these new V60 proportions are not unlike the classic P1800ES, except the V60 delivers on the promises of its looks whereas the P1800ES was a bit of a dog in the performance department.

Size wise, the new V60 sits on a huge 113-inch wheelbase with a small mid-size body of just 187 inches. While it stands 56 inches tall with a beam of 72 inches, it looks much lower and wider. And it is slick to the wind with a coefficient of drag of 0.29.

Volvo has somehow taken its boxy front end and made it sleek and suave all the way to the rear bumper. Under the hood is Volvo 2.0L inline, DOHC, 16 valve, four-cylinder engine that is not only turbocharged but supercharged similar to many engines used in our World War II bombers like the B-17. In the Volvo’s case, it cranks out 316 hp at a low 5,700 rpm and 295 pounds of twist at 2,200 rpm. Without the supercharger (which is mechanically driven as opposed to a turbocharger being driven by the engine’s exhaust gases) the engine develops 250 at 5,500 rpm and known as the T5 with FWD.

Power is delivered to all four wheels via a smooth eight-speed automatic, torque converter cog-swapper.

Performance far exceeds the factory numbers with 0-60 mph arriving in 5.17 seconds (factory says 0-62 mph in 5.8 seconds). Passing performance is also excellent with a 50-70 mph simulated pass taking 2.74 seconds and the same run up a 6-7 percent grade slowing that time to 3.53 seconds. The larger S90 and V90 recorded times of about half a seconder greater in all parameters, but still within the sub-six second world class time frame. The difference can be explained in the V60 smaller size, about seven inches shorter along with a three-inch shorter wheelbase and 400 fewer pounds to carry.

Throttle response needs some mention. It is instantaneous, but the auto stop feature on the engine (it is defeatable) and the brake hold feature can be annoying. When you take your foot off the brake the brakes have a slight hold so tip in and creeping can be jerky. It also allows for too great a response when you command the engine room. You might not be expecting that kind of thrust and then feel a need to tap the brakes. Maybe you get used to it, but it is a distraction. The engine is also a bit coarse, especially at low rpm. While Volvo may be attempting to get good fuel economy with its diminutive engine pumped up to the max, it has its distractions. More cylinders might help.

Fuel economy is good. The EPA cycle tests show numbers of 21/31/25 mpg city/highway/combined. Expect better as my tests showed a two-way highway run delivered 34.1 mpg at 70 mph. In my trip over the Sierras to Carson City, the V60 averaged 28.4 mpg. Overall the V60 averaged about 26 mpg with almost no time spent on the highway at 70 mph. Fuel economy is better than expected, especially considering the mammoth power. Fuel capacity is 15.9 gallons.

With its low, wide look you might expect great handling and it will deliver. It has great creds, front and rear track of 63 inches, wide 235/40 series rubber on 19-inch alloys and state of the art suspension. Steering is a bit to easy for my taste and road feel is lacking, but the lateral grip is strong and overall it gives the Volvo the ability to tap dance in the twisties with the best sporting sedan. It just takes a little more concentration. Body roll is very well controlled. Steering is a reasonable three turns lock to lock and turning circle is good at 38 feet.

The ride is smooth with excellent compliance. It’s on the firm side. There is no wind or road noise and at cruise there is no engine noise. But under hard acceleration, the engine gets involved with as above a coarse sounding exhaust. Not a great sound but a strained sound.

Safety is there in spades and in my book a bit intrusive, especially in the hold function as mentioned above. All the acronyms are present and the steering is not impacted by the lane keeping aid. That is good. Headlights are terrific LEDs, but there is no auto high beam function but they do turn with the steering wheel. The heads-up display was excellent.

Inside is a sporty leather-trimmed interior with muted plaid inserts. In Volvo tradition, they were sublimely comfortable. Instrumentation provided a big speedo and tach but the trip computer only gave one readout at a time, although it is switchable through various pages. Heated seats and steering wheel are present as well.

Rear seating is average and the cargo capacity is about equal to a compact CUV.

Pricing starts at a reasonable $43,400 plus $995 for the boat ride from Gothenburg, Sweden. My tester has several packages, the Premium package at $2,100, the Multimedia package at $2,500 and the Advanced package at $2,500 which included Semi-autonomous driving system and with the adaptive cruise control and you already know how much I dislike those systems. Then there were some odds and ends that added up to an additional $3,195 bringing the total to $54,690.

Specifications
Price $44,395 to about $55,000

Engine
2.0L DOHC, 16 Valve turbo and supercharged direct injected inline four cylinder 316 hp @ 5,700 rpm ` 295 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2,200 rpm

Transmission
Eight speed torque converter automatic

Configuration
Transverse front engine/FWD/AWD

Dimensions
Wheelbase 113.1 inches
Length 187.4 inches
Width 72.8 inches
Height 56.4 inches
Ground clearance 5.6 inches
Track (f/r) 63.0/63.0 inches
Weight 3,770-4,090 pounds
GVWR 5,115 pounds
Fuel capacity 15.9 gallons
Steering lock to lock 3.0 turns
Turning circle 38.4 feet
Coefficient of drag 0.29

Performance
0-60 mph 5.17 seconds
50-70 mph 2.74 seconds
50-70 mph (up a 6-7 percent grade) 3.53 seconds
Top speed who cares?
Fuel economy EPA rated 21/31/25 mpg city/highway/combined. Expect 24-25 mpg in rural country driving and 34 mpg on a level highway at legal speeds.