Don't be fooled by the slick exterior of the new S60 T6 - this car remains a Volvo through and through. It still features the marque's traditional sober qualities of high safety standards and comfort; among small executive saloons, the S60 is a range topper.
The new four-door saloon is a worthy successor to the first-generation S60, introduced in 2000. If the first model looks a little dated after 10 years in service, the new S60 fits in well with the current trend for streamlined efficiency and durability - two other hallmarks of Volvo cars.
In a break with previous marketing campaigns, Volvo has not been too boastful this time about the new S60's superior dynamics. This was a problem at the launch of the first generation, when the company (then owned by Ford) tried to pitch it against some of the most popular, driver-oriented cars from Germany; few customers seemed excited by its handling or driving pleasure over the years - preferring the smaller executive-type cars from Bavaria.
Like many Volvos before the S60, it was the combination of comfort and safety that lured customers to the car in the first place. The Volvo S60 has a more spacious interior, including more leg room in the back seats, than many other models in the small executive car bracket. Offering sturdy support, its leather seats have long been acclaimed for their comfort. But the S60's electrically adjustable driver's seat leaves something to be desired: its range for lumbar-support adjustment is a bit limited.
The car's central console is a thin, curved wooden (or metal, if you prefer) panel featuring controls for things such as electronic climate, six-speaker audio system, rear curtain; Volvo resisted the temptation to distract the driver with a too-complicated touch-screen interface system.
The S60 T6 is equipped with a three-litre turbocharged engine that can produce 304 horsepower and 440Nm of torque. An entry-level 2.0T, rated at 203 horsepower and 300Nm, has also been introduced to the Hong Kong market.