New third-generation model priced from S$170k with COE and brings the fight to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class

SINGAPORE  

Volvo’s back in the executive game with the new third-gen S60, and the V60 station wagon, that debuted today at Millennia Walk. 

It’s a stone’s throw from where the new car first appeared in Singapore, sneaking in for a preview at the 2019 Singapore Motorshow at Suntec City in January this year, but this time it’s a proper launch with all the details. 

Members of the public can view the cars at Volvo’s ‘Living Room’ display at Millennia Walk’s central atrium from today until Sunday, September 1. The S60 will also be on display at Ocean Financial Centre on Tuesday September 3 to Thursday September 5, 2019. 

In what’s now standard operating procedure, all variants are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with two power outputs: T4 with 187hp, and T5 with 250hp.

Those hankering for more power will be glad to know that the plug-in hybrid 400hp T8 variant will be coming to Singapore next year, although it’s unclear if the specially-tuned Polestar model will be coming here. A T8 version of the XC60 SUV will also be offered, though not other models such as the S90 or XC90.


There are two equipment levels for T4 and T5 cars: Momentum and R-Design. Shown here are the S60 T4 R-Design (red) and V60 T5 R-Design (white).

Pricing starts from S$170,000 with COE for the least expensive model, the S60 T4 Momentum.
The S60 T4 R-Design commands S$180,000 with COE, The S60 T5 comes only in R-Design trim, and newly-confirmed pricing is S$190,000 with COE.

The V60 comes in two choices, T4 Momentum for S$175,000 with COE, and T5 R-Design at S$195,000 with COE.

READ MORE: Can’t wait for the verdict? Read our review of the Volvo V60 T5 R-Design here

The T4 models have 187hp with 300Nm of torque. Front-wheel drive and an eight-speed gearbox deliver a 0-100km/h time of 7.1 seconds (7.2 for the V60) with a 220km/h top speed. Efficiency is 7.2L/100km. 

The T5 cars have the same engine with 250hp and 350Nm of torque and all-wheel drive. Sedan performance figures are TBC, but it’ll be close to the V60 T5’s 0-100km/h of 6.5 seconds and 235km/h top speed with fuel consumption of 7.3L/100km.  

As noted in our review of the V60, the S60 and V60 are now the largest cars in their class, with an overall length, width, and wheelbase longer than the Germans, which translates into plenty of interior room. 

The S60’s designer, Jonathan Disley (above), was present at the event and explained how the new car has been fundamentally designed to be more sporty, for example the axle-to-dashboard distance has been increased to give the car more athletic proportions. 

VIDEO: Don’t have the patience to read our review? Watch our walkthrough video of the Volvo V60 below!

The base S60 T4 momentum has an impressive amount of equipment, which includes the tablet-style 9.0-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity,  keyless entry/start, powered driver’s seat, 17-inch wheels, and leather upholstery. 

Safety features include City Safety (which now also detects cyclists, pedestrians, and large animals), Oncoming Collision Mitigation, Run-Off-Road Protection System, adaptive cruise control with Pilot Assist, and more – the S60/V60 are very comprehensive in safety terms and class leaders here, no surprise. 

The S60 T4 R-Design loses the adaptive cruise with Pilot Assist, but gains the sport chassis (suspension tuned, lowered by 12mm), 18-inch wheels, the R-Design body kit with dual tailpipes, R-Design pedals and steering wheel with paddle shifters, foglights, adjustable steering force, 12.3-inch virtual instrument panel, parking camera and dual, powered front seats, as well as a panoramic sunroof. 

The V60 T5 R-Design model (and presumably the S60 as well) gains even more safety equipment with blind spot indicators, rear and front cross traffic alert, and rear collision warning. It also has onboard navigation.

We’ve already driven the V60 T5 R-Design and found it to be an even match for the German competition, impressively it does so at a significantly smaller price tag, and this looks to be the case for the rest of the S60 and V60 models.
Case in point – the least expensive Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the C 180 Avantgarde, is S$191,800 with COE, and the least expensive S60 is S$21k cheaper.

Even on the other end of the scale the Volvo promises excellent value. The S60 T5 R-Design, will definitely cost under S$200k with COE, while the comparable C 300 AMG Line costs S$258,888 with COE, and the BMW 330i M Sport costs S$248,888 with COE.