Volvo S60 R-Design, 2014

 

 Volvo S60 R-Design, 2014

The new R-Design versions of Volvo S60, V60 and XC60 feature an outstanding blend of a renewed sports appearance, a dynamic driving-focused chassis and engine output up to a substantial 329 horsepower with the Polestar performance option.

Unique new front
All three R-Design cars - including the XC60 - now feature a unique face with a redesigned, dynamic, expressive nose. The frameless Tech Matte Black grille has high-gloss black stripes, a silk metal diagonal and a refined R-Designed emblem. The DRL lights in the outer corners reinforce the low, road-hugging impression.

At the rear, the unique diffuser with aero fins is flanked by the round, high-tech R-Design tailpipes.

New generation R-Design interior
The new sport seat come as standard in the R-Design cars. It features a blend of black nubuck textile and perforated leather. The embroidered R-design logo with a blue 'R' confirms the sporty aura. Full leather seats are available as an option.

The Adaptive Digital Display features the option to switch between three layouts with different configuration and functionality - Elegance, Eco and Performance. In the R-Design versions, the Elegance theme boasts a radiant blue colour.

The design team has dedicated much attention to all the interior details that emphasize the distinctive R-Design aura.

"By blending inlays with a perforated look, black leather and contrasting stitching, the design team has created an interior with all the details in perfect harmony, crowned by the black headliner. The new stainless steel tread plate with a bright blue 'R' in the R-Design emblem is another exquisite detail," says Doug Speck.

Sporty ride with up to 329 horsepower
R-Design models can be combined with all the engines available for the standard versions. The range spans from the D2 diesel with 115 horsepower (not available in the XC60) to the 3.0 litre, six cylinder T6 petrol turbo with 304 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque.

The T6 buyer can boost performance to 329 horsepower by opting for the Polestar software that charges the specially designed sport accelerator pedal with an extra 25 hp.

Quicker acceleration
Acceleration times in the T6 version, using the new paddle shift with the automatic gearbox in Sport mode, have been cut in all three cars with 0-100 km/h now down to 5.9 seconds (previously 6.1) in the S60 T6. The equivalent figure for the V60 T6 is 6.0 seconds (6.2), while the XC60 T6 now covers 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds (7.3).

Lower and firmer chassis
The R-Design Sport chassis has been lowered 15 mm compared with the Dynamic chassis in the standard S60 and V60, and the spring stiffness is 15 per cent higher compared with the dynamic chassis in the standard S60 and V60. This gives responsive driving pleasure with full control.

Mono tube dampers
The S60 and V60 R-Design features rear mono tube dampers, delivering compression and return damping via the same valve. This gives shorter, faster fluid flow, which in turn means the damper responds more quickly.

Stiffer bushings counteract oscillation, and roll and movements are more controlled. The bushings that attach the rear dampers to the body are 20 per cent stiffer compared with the Dynamic chassis. The front tie-blade bushing is a substantial 400 per cent stiffer to counteract wheel bouncing and shaking.

A strut brace under the bonnet ties together the suspension strut towers to stiffen up the body structure.

The Volvo XC60 R-Design chassis is also stiffer than the standard car and has more dynamic driving properties - without compromising ride comfort. The shock absorber springs and anti-roll bars are adjusted and tuned to be firmer and more balanced. The result is improved control and a sportier, road-hugging drive.

The Corner Traction Control
Just like in the standard variants, a range of electronic systems that sharpen the sporty driving experience backs up the chassis in the R-Design cars.

The Corner Traction Control, which uses torque vectoring to provide smoother cornering, is now also standard on the XC60. The DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) system also has several other functions that improve driving and safety properties:
Advanced Stability Control. With a gyroscopic roll-angle sensor the anti-spin system can deploy faster and with greater precision.
Engine Drag Control prevents the wheels from losing their grip during engine braking on a slippery surface.
The DSTC system also has a sports setting that makes it possible for the driver to disable the anti-spin function.

Driver-orientated appeal
The new Volvo S60, V60 and XC60 R-Design will be available in all markets that sell the standard versions of these models. Volvo Cars expects that about 10 per cent of buyers will choose the R-Design version, but this increases to over 30 per cent in some markets such as the United Kingdom and Australia.