The Inheritance of Nordic Luxury Sports —— Volvo S60

Sweden, from northern Europe, has a name of extreme admiration for mechanical manufacturing-Volvo (). Volvo always pays equal attention to excellent power performance and leading intelligent safety technology, and at the same time takes into account the unique fashion and dynamic elements of northern Europe to create a high-performance luxury model with the most driving passion and high-tech content.

The word Volvo comes from Latin, which means "I am rolling".

And S60 is the most successful and best-selling model ever owned by Volvo. S60 appeared formally in 2000, but it is far from being so concise. S60 can be said to be a master of Volvo technology. From the Volvo Amazon car series (1956) more than 50 years ago, to the 140 car series (1966), 240 car series (1974), 850 car series (1991) and S70(1996), the evolution of car models from generation to generation came later.

Amazon with excellent performance (Amazon)

In 1956, Volvo introduced the Amazon model, which can be said to be the earliest prototype of S60. The Amazon model adopts aerodynamic design, which shows excellent driving performance while taking into account the appearance.

Volvo Amazon

Amazon was equipped with B16 series 1.6L engine in the early days, but the B18 series 1.8L engine changed in 1958 really pushed Amazon to the peak. Thanks to the overhead valve design and excellent adjustment level, it can easily output 135 to 150 horsepower with abundant torque. It is precisely because of this that Amazon models are widely used in automobile races and have achieved good results, and they are sought after by internationally renowned drivers.

After the success of Amazon, Volvo introduced the Amazon series high-performance model-123 GT in 1966, still equipped with B18 engine, matching the four-speed transmission with overdrive. GT model only produced more than 5,000 vehicles between 1967 and 1968, and now it is a rare collection.

Volvo Amazon 123GT

Volvo 140 with excellent safety performance

In 1966, Volvo introduced 140 series models, which focused on the passive safety performance of vehicles. The Volvo 140 is a landmark model. The 140 model adopts a body structure with front and rear energy absorption areas and a collapsible steering column. At the same time, it adopts the most advanced dual-loop braking system at that time, which makes the safety of Volvo 140 reach an unprecedented height, which also lays the characteristic tone of Volvo cars.

Volvo 140 series models

Volvo 140 series models use simple straight lines to outline the body outline, and strive for the ultimate simplicity. We can still find familiar lines with the 140 series from the current Volvo models.

Volvo 140 series models

Volvo’s turbocharged era opens.

In 1974, Volvo introduced a turbocharged model-240 Turbo, equipped with a 2.1L turbocharged engine, which can output a maximum power of 155hp and a maximum torque of 240Nm, matching a 4-speed manual transmission. 240 Turbo beat BMW 3 and Jaguar XJS-R with excellent driving performance in the European touring car race in 1980s.

Volvo 240 series

Let the American Car & Driver magazine praise it: "It is the best Volvo car so far, and the word meticulous will only appear in your mind when driving on the road, and the overall fluency is beyond that of other cars of the same class."

Volvo 240 series

The first year of performance comes

In June, 1991, Volvo introduced the 850 model, which used four innovative technologies of Volvo at that time: transverse in-line 5-cylinder engine, triangular connecting rod rear axle, side impact protection system and adaptive seat belt reel.

Volvo 850

It provides excellent security while giving consideration to performance. Volvo 850 is equipped with 2.3L and 2.4L in-line five-cylinder gasoline engines, matching with 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox.

In 1995, Volvo introduced a high-performance 850 R model based on the 850, with a maximum power of 250 HP, which was the most powerful and fastest production model of Volvo at that time.

Volvo 850

S70 arrival

In 1996, Volvo upgraded the 850 model, and renamed the sedan version as "Volvo S70" and the travel version as "Volvo V70".

S70

The S70 is still equipped with 2.3L and 2.4L inline five-cylinder gasoline engines, while the V70 is equipped with 8 gasoline/diesel five-cylinder engines ranging from 2.0L to 2.5L. The S70/V70 cars are all matched with 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic and 5-speed automatic gearboxes.

S70

First generation S60

In 1999, Volvo was acquired by Ford Motor Company due to poor management. In 2000, Volvo launched the ——S60, the successor model of S70, and launched the V60 Travel Edition at the same time, focusing on luxury sports, as well as Volvo’s consistent active and passive safety configuration. S60 is based on Volvo P2 platform (Ford D3 platform), positioning sports cars.

First generation S60

The first generation S60 is equipped with 2.4L and 2.5L naturally aspirated engines, with maximum power of 170 HP and 300 HP and peak torque of 230N·m and 350N·m, respectively, which are matched with 5-speed automatic transmission and 6-speed automatic transmission.

Subsequently, S60 also launched a turbocharged model, equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, with a maximum power of 180 HP and a peak torque of 240N·m, matching a 6-speed automatic transmission.

In 2004, Volvo introduced S60R, a high-performance version of S600. S60 R is equipped with a 2.5T engine, with a maximum power of 305 HP and a maximum torque of 400Nm, and its performance is comparable to that of BMW E63 M3, a popular fried chicken at that time.

First generation S60 R

In 2009, S60R participated in the American Speed World Challenge GT Championship Series, defeating strong rivals such as 911 GT3 and Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 GT. In 2010, S60R won the championship in one fell swoop.

Second generation S60

In 2009, Volvo was acquired by China Geely Automobile. The first generation S60 reached the end of the product, and a new generation S60 concept car was released. In 2010, the second generation S60 went on the market, which basically restored the appearance of the concept car, with a tall waistline, a low body and a full sports model.

Second generation S60 concept car

The early S60 models were equipped with Ford Ecoboost 1.6T and 2.0T engines, with maximum power of 179HP and 203HP respectively. The maximum torques are 240N·m and 300N·m, respectively, which match the Power Shift 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Ford Ecoboost turbocharged engine

In 2013, S60 was equipped with its own 2.0L inline five-cylinder turbocharged engine, with a maximum power of 214 HP and a maximum torque of 300N·m, which matched the 6-speed automatic manual transmission (the T5 model matched the 8-speed automatic manual transmission). At the same time, the T6 high-profile vehicle with 3.0L double vortex turbocharging is introduced, with the maximum power of 304 HP and the maximum torque of 440N·m, and the acceleration of 100 km is only 6.1 seconds.

2.0L inline five-cylinder turbocharged engine

After Volvo was owned by Geely Holding, Volvo Asia Pacific Company was established, and an extended model-S60L was launched for the domestic market. The wheelbase of S60L has been lengthened by 80mm, but the handling characteristics and driving quality have maintained the same level as S60L.

S60L is equipped with 1.5L and 2.0L turbocharged engines, in which the 1.5T engine has a maximum power of 152 HP and a maximum torque of 250N·m, while the 2.0T engine is divided into two versions, namely, the low-power version has a maximum power of 190 HP and a maximum torsion meter of 300N·m, and the high-power version has a maximum power of 245 HP and a maximum torsion meter of 350N·m, all of which match.

Volvo S60 insists on excellent safety performance, good driving performance, and Nordic fashion design that is more and more in line with Chinese aesthetics. Although Geely entered Volvo, the gene of the purest "Nordic luxury sports car" in Volvo’s bones is indelible, which may lead a wave.