2001 Volvo S60 Road Test Review Introduction

When the time comes to return one of our long-term cars, the European Car staff goes into a period of mourning at the loss of a favorite car (it's as if a good friend has moved away). Fortunately for us, a new, possibly even better friend is usually just around the corner. Such was the case when we said good-bye to our Volvo S40 last year: The pain of permanent separation was assuaged by the pending arrival of an all-new Volvo S60.

We had put our request for a long-term S60 the moment I got back from driving it in Sweden last September, keeping our collective fingers crossed for a T5 manual with the trick Spaceball. When it finally arrived, we were delighted to learn our wishes had been granted.

Shipped from South Bay Volvo in Torrance--via Port Hueneme, Calif.--our new S60 is bright red (#601 on Volvo's color chart), is powered by the 2.3-liter high-pressure turbocharged T5, and has all the prerequisite amenities and more. The five-cylinder alloy engine outputs 247 bhp at 5200 rpm and 243 lb-ft of torque from 2400 to 5200 rpm, giving the 3,146-lb sedan ample off-the-line grunt. For the environmentally conscious (which should mean everyone), the S60's radiator is equipped with PremAir, a coating that helps transform ozone into oxygen while driving.

The suspension setup consists of MacPherson struts with asymmetrically mounted coil springs, hydraulic shocks and stabilizer bar at the front; independent multilink mounted on alloy subframe with coil springs, hydraulic shocks and stabilizer bar comprises the rear. Rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes (sized 12 in. in front, 11.34 in. rear), Volvo's Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) system and the optional Stability and Dynamic Traction Control (DSTC) complete the handling system.

As for the amenities, the coolest is the four-disc in-dash CD/AM/FM stereo system with Surround sound. The handiest is the grocery-bag holder (part of the optional Touring package) in the trunk, which enables you to haul those ubiquitous plastic bags with ease--and no spillage. The Touring package ($550) also includes memory mirrors, electrically foldable rear headrests, a dash cupholder (in addition to the two in the center console) and the Air Quality System (AQS--it helps prevent unpleasant odors from entering the cabin).

Our new S60 also features the Cold Weather package ($450), consisting of heated seats and a headlamp washer/wiper; sport-cut leather-faced seats ($1,300); a power sunroof ($1,200); the previously mentioned DSTC ($1,100) and four-disc in-dash CD system ($1,200); and 17-in. alloy wheels ($500). Throw in a $575 destination charge and the S60's price climbs to $38,675--$6,300 worth of extras added to the $31,800 base price. A bit steep, but we think it's worth it.

The only minuses I've detected are the S60's abysmal turning radius--2.8 turns lock to lock--that prevents you from executing a neat U-turn on your average two-lane street; a bit of torque steer upon rapid acceleration (the Swedes seem to have a problem with this in general); and the sound system's audio mix controls--unmarked knobs with no level markings or readout indications. However, these are small annoyances that will more than likely fade from prominence into the background with time.

So far, the S60 has only done basic commuter duty: to and from work, weekend errands, local jaunts, etc. I have, though, taken it through the esses of Mulholland Drive and Laurel Canyon several times and am quite pleased with the way it performed and handled. Enough so, I'm looking forward to taking it out for longer, twistier drives; that is, if I can wrestle the keys away from other ec staffers.