A safe bet from Volvo

VOLVO has launched its S60 range, bringing class leading pricing and new levels of active safety to the medium luxury segment.

It will be available in three models: the 224kW 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-charged petrol T6, Volvo’s recently updated 151kW 2.4-litre five-cylinder twin-turbo diesel D5, and introducing Volvo’s new 177kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder GTDi (Gas Turbo Direct Injection) petrol engine in T5 guise.

Power for both the T6 and D5 models is distributed to all four wheels by Volvo’s All Wheel Drive system and mated to Volvo’s six-speed adaptive geatronic transmission, offering the choice of manual gear selection or a more responsive sport mode.

Safety is of course at the forefront and for the first time, the pedestrian detection and avoidance system will be offered in the S60 range. The system, which has been in development for more than 10 years and tested in some of the world’s most densely populated cities, aims to protect road users by either avoiding a collision or significantly reducing the impact speed.

Using a camera and radar, the system is a driver aid that is designed to activate in the event of driver distraction. It takes just 0.5 seconds for the system to detect a pedestrian and determine whether or not it is in danger of being hit by the oncoming car.

If so, an audible alert and visual display on the windscreen is activated to alert the driver. If the driver fails to respond full braking power is applied. The entire process takes under one second.

The all-new S60 will also introduce Volvo’s new infotainment system, which features a five or seven inch multifunction screen, full iPod and Bluetooth connectivity as standard combined with the convenience of steering wheel control and voice activation.