Car Moon

Volvo’s Australian arm has pulled the wraps off a conceptual performance version of its S60 sedan. Based on the S60 T6 R Design, the S60 Performance Concept is an Australian initiative and utilizes two partnerships within the Volvo family - Polestar and Heico - for some very discreet upgrades.

For the second time in a month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Volvo is recalling certain 2012 model year S60 sedans because of a potential problem with the fuel pump assembly. This time, the recall affects 448 S60 saloons built from January 18, 2011, through January 28, 2011.

The Swedish automaker informed the safety agency that the male part of the fuel line quick connector end shape was produced with dimensions out of specification and could detach from the engine. If this were to occur, the engine could stall while the driver may also notice a fuel smell and leakage, which could result in a fire.

At the 2011 New York Auto Show, Volvo announced that the 2012 S60 R-Design sedan and XC60 R-Design crossover will receive significant horsepower and torque increases when they go on sale in the U.S. late this summer.

Both the S60 and XC60 R-Design models are powered by Volvo's most potent six-cylinder unit, the turbocharged T6 engine. Thanks to a series of upgrades, the T6 in the 2012MYs produces 325 horsepower and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque, an increase of 21 horses and 29 lb-ft (39 Nm) of torque compared to 2011 R-Design models. Maximum torque is now achieved from 3,000 rpm and remains available throughout the rev range.

Volvo is expanding its S60 and V60 lineup in Europe with the introduction of more fuel efficient DRIVe variants. Both versions use the upgraded 1.6-liter diesel engine that complies with the Euro 5 standard and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The S60 and V60 DRIVe models also benefit from the use of a start/stop system, with the end result being low fuel consumption and reduced emissions.

Last month, we told you about Volvo's plans to reveal an almost production-ready diesel-electric hybrid version of the V60 at the Geneva Salon in March. Today, the Swedish automaker released a full set of photos and additional information on its Plug-in Hybrid, which will be launched in the market in 2012.

Pegged as the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid, the eco-friendly V60 is the result of close co-operation between Volvo Cars and Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall, and it promises to offer low fuel consumption and CO2 levels, combined with long range and high performance.

If you're searching for a...really naughty version of the 2011 Volvo S60, then look no further than to this race-spec model that's being readied for track by K-PAX Racing to defend the team's 2010 World Challenge GT Manufacturers′ and Drivers′ champion titles. The K-PAX team is preparing two all-wheel drive S60s, which will make their debut at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, in late April, for the fourth round of the World Challenge schedule.

* Standard 2011 Volvo V60 shown in photos

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show will host the world premiere of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, a near production-ready model that is said to return a very impressive 125 mpg US (1.9 lt/100 km), with CO2 emissions under 50 g/km. In order to achieve this, engineers entered a new variable into the plug-in hybrid equation: a diesel engine.

Volvo's US division has dropped prices for the S60 T5 FWD model, which starts at $30,795, excluding an $875 destination fee. That’s $450 less than the previous base price. The updated offer is also accompanied by a special introductory lease rate plan of $299/month, available until February 28, 2011.

And you thought your latest weekend track race was adrenaline-filled... Enter the realm of Jonny Reid, one of New Zealand's top racing drivers. The 27-year-old Kiwi put a brand new 2011 Volvo S60 to the test around Hampton Downs raceway in Auckland. Nothing spectacular there you say? How about if we told you that he did it blindfolded? Yes, that's right; the young racing driver couldn't see a thing.

According to the promo event's organizers, it took Reid more than one try but in the end, he managed to return a lap time of 1:28 with a top speed of 193km/h (119 mph). "He was guided only by the feel of the car, his knowledge of the track, and co-driver Earl Bamber's voice," said Volvo. Pretty neat, though we're not sure who was the bravest of the two; the driver or the co-driver... Scroll down to watch the clips.

Come later this month at the Essen Motor Show (26th November - 5th December 2010) in Germany, Volvo tuning specialist Heico Sportive will unveil its performance and styling bits for the Swedish automaker's all-new V60. The tuning program for the station wagon model carries the same upgrades as the S60 sedan.

The new Volvo V60 won't be arriving in the UK before December, but today, the Swedish automaker released pricing and announced that it has begun accepting orders for the so-called sports wagon model.

This is officially the second safety system demonstration in as many "Look at this!" announcements that has gone horribly wrong for Volvo. That's right, two. The first one was back in May and led to a new S60 estate crushing itself into the back of a truck - see the video here. This latest mishap occurred during a media demonstration to Australian journalists in Europe.

Volvo is trying to further enhance the appeal of its new 2011 S60 sedan and V60 station wagon models with the presentation of a new R-Design styling and handling package that will be available in autumn 2010. The Swedish firm's take on the BMW M Sport and Audi S-Line kits combines sporty visual upgrades inside and out, and a tweaked chassis for a sharper drive.

Hot on the heels from last week's presentation of Heico Sportiv's tuning program for the new S60, Volvo's European division today announced the launch of a limited edition version of the T6 sedan model, all spruced up by the tuning specialists at Heico Sportiv. Only 100 units of the Black Sapphire metallic special edition will be available in Europe, each priced at €63,968, equivalent to US$82,000. We assume pricing is for the German market, since Volvo did not get into any specific details.

Volvo will soon welcome two new additional engine options, the T3 and T4, to its 2011 S60 sedan and V60 estate range of models. The pair of 1.6-liter four-cylinder GTDi gasoline units employ both turbocharging and direct injection technology for improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. Furthermore, the two engines come equipped with Volvo's Start/Stop tech (manual gearbox models only) as standard.

We've already had a first look at Heico Sportiv's package of goodies for the all-new 2011 Volvo S60, but the German company finally released a full set of photos and details surrounding its tuning program that includes styling and performance enhancements for the Swedish sedan.

With first deliveries of the all-new Volvo S60 just right around the corner, it's high time for the German aftermarket gurus at Heico Sportiv to ready their performance and aero enhancements for the much-promising Swedish sedan.

Revealed ahead of its Paris Motor Show debut, the all-new Volvo V60 is the estate version of the recently launched 2011 S60 sedan. Aimed almost squarely at European buyers as Volvo projects that "no less than 90 percent" of the annual V60 production of 50,000 cars will find a home in Europe, the sporty-looking estate model will go on sale this fall.

Volvo describes the low slung V60 as a sports wagon with a coupe-like roofline. "The typical sports wagon customer is an S60 buyer who would like some extra space and flexibility, but without the slightest compromise on sporty design and exciting driving properties," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell.

However, Volvo's focus on looks come with a cost as the V60's boot space is a mere 430 liters with the rear seats up. That's compared to 460lt of the BMW 3-Series Touring, 485lt of the Mercedes C-Class Estate and 490lt of the Audi A4 Avant. The car will come equipped with a 40/20/40-split rear seat and the fold-flat front passenger seat.

A supposedly leaked picture of a Volvo S60 Coupe-Convertible based on the new sedan model, said to have been shot during some sort of internal presentation, has been making the internet rounds this morning.

However, in this day and age of photoshop wizardry, you can't trust everything you see on the web. And judging from the picture of the standard S60 saloon that you can check out after the jump, we have serious doubts about its authenticity.

Volvo Cars North America LLC is set to release its first (and arguably most important) vehicle since the brand was picked up by Chinese Geely: the 2011 S60 saloon. Barring any unforeseen problems (like the recent crash-mitigation ordeal), it should be picking up right where its forebear left off: trying to reinforce Volvo's entry in the mid-size sport-sedan market.

Coming in at a starting point of $38,550 ($37,700 plus $850 for destination charges), the new S60 hopes to pull in buyers from the mainstays. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Lexus? Volvo wants to take them down to China Town.