Volvo Goes to Finishing School
By Brian Douglas
Autoeditor.com
2002 Volvo S60 AWD Specifications:
Type: Front engine, all-wheel drive
Engine: 2.4-liter, double overhead cam I-5
Power: 197 hp at 6,000 rpm
Torque: 210 lb.-ft. at 1,800-5,000 rpm
Base price: $33,375
As tested: $35,825
Fuel economy: 19 city, 26 highway
Drive safely! For years, Volvo has let the public know how safe its cars are, a strategy that worked nicely for the Swedish carmaker while its competitors were also selling cars. But two dynamics have occurred in the market over the past few years that are challenging Volvo’s marketing.
Families are the cornerstone of Volvo’s market, and those buyers feel just as safe or even safer driving big SUVs as smaller sedans and wagons. Then there is the image issue. While few manufacturers urge people to drive irresponsibly, most of Volvo’s near-luxury competitors advertise their cars speeding down two-lane roads or sliding across wet pavement.
To change its image, Volvo hasn’t abandoned safety or began advertising its cars blasting down winding roads, but it has built some great looking, Volvos that can keep up with fast traffic. Since most people don’t spend their quality time screeching tires, just knowing that the new Volvo is quick and cool, as well as safe, may appeal to buyers who felt the cars were a bit stodgy.
Volvo began adding style to its cars a few years ago with the introduction of the S80. The sedan utilized cab-forward architecture and flowing lines to create a lean, modern look, yet it had lots of room inside and a big trunk for the family buyer. A C70 coupe and convertible series followed to reinforce the sporting image, just in case there were a few people who still thought of Volvos as upholstered tractors.
My test black Volvo S60 model seemed to glow with excitement. I attributed its radiance to the sapphire metallic black paint, a $400 optional treatment, but the athletic proportions of the 60 series are apparent in most any color. In fact, after dinner one evening, my wife thought the Volvo was a BMW, a mistake that would have been impossible to make a few models back.
Our test car was an S60 AWD that added all-wheel drive to distribute 210 puonds per foot of torque from the turbocharged five-cylinder engine. Though Audi popularized the odd cylinder count, Volvo has embraced the concept in all of its 60 and 70 series cars with the 197-horsepower standard engine and a T-5 version that ups the ante to 247 horses.
The high output T-5 is unavailable with AWD, so our car was equipped with the standard engine and a competent, five-speed automatic with sport shifting available. The combination delivered a nice balance of power over a variety of roads, but it did exhibit a bit more engine noise than I’m used to from most luxury cars.
Underneath the bodywork, a tight chassis and excellent independent suspension work well to keep all four wheels planted. The anti-lock brakes added brake assist to help keep the Volvo out of other drivers’ trunks in case you just have to take that cell phone call.
Rack and pinion steering is also standard equipment, but our car’s equipment list included dynamic stability control as a $1,100 option. If you plan any ice driving, or even negotiating slippery, wet roads, the stability control is worth the money.
Volvo keeps the styling business-like and clean inside, with controls that are different than most but quite easy to get the hang of. The climate control can be set and left alone if that’s your wish, or directed where you want it using switches that display a human form.
The radio controls use circular knobs for station presets instead of the traditional row of buttons. It’s only an odd feature until you try it a few times and discover how intuitive it is to use.
While front-seat occupants get to fiddle with unique controls, back-seat passengers are treated to air vents placed in the pillars high enough to direct the flow where it’s needed.
Back-seat leg room in the 60 series is adequate for most adults, and the trunk is spacious with a wide opening.
Volvo has enjoyed a fine reputation for building solid, safe cars that were the favorites of the sort who wear sensible shoes and patches on their blazers. The new Volvo lineup should appeal to a much broader audience without sacrificing those nice professors.
Reach Brian Douglas at brian@autoeditor.com.
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