Volvo Launches US-Built S60 Sedan

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Volvo has just launched the automaker’s first US-built car, and the last piece of its midsize lineup. The 2019 Volvo S60 sedan was unveiled at the inauguration of the Charleston, South Carolina, plant late last month.

A Familiar Interior

The Volvo S60 is the last of the company’s 60 series vehicles. That includes the V60 and V60 Cross Country wagons and the XC60 crossover. If you’ve seen the wagons, then you already have a pretty good idea what the sedan looks like, at least from the B-pillars forward. If you haven’t seen those wagons, the S60 wears Volvo’s new wider grille, as well as the increasingly iconic Thor’s hammer LED running light design.

The side profile continues Volvo’s simple yet elegant styling. There is a long, sleek hood, gentle door scallops, and subtle rear shoulders running into the door. At the rear, the E-shaped taillights run well into the trunk lid like a junior version of the S90. If you’re looking for the box it came in Volvo styling of old, then you haven’t been paying attention to the Swedish automaker for the last decade.

Inside, the new Volvo S60 shows the automaker’s latest interior design. Volvo has been absolutely crushing the minimalist but luxurious interior in the last generation, and this car is much the same. The portrait-mode upright infotainment system is a different layout than just about any other vehicle, but is exceedingly easy to use in Volvo’s other vehicles. The lack of buttons underneath frees up space and improves the interior appearance. It also has the twist to start knob of the other Volvos and a frameless rear-view mirror.

Powerful Performance

The S60 will be available with three powertrain choices. The first is a T5 FWD offering that uses a 2.0L turbo-four. That engine makes 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque in the brand’s other models. The next upgrade is the T6, which adds a supercharger to the same engine. That one puts out 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Finally, for buyers looking at a plug-in hybrid, the T8 Twin Engine offers 313 hp from the gas engine, and 87 hp from an electric motor in the rear to make 400 hp. The T6 and T8 are both all-wheel drive, and all use an eight-speed automatic.

A Polestar Engineered performance version of the T8 offers 415 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque. That one got special Ohlins dampers, big Brembo brakes, and other sports sedan performance upgrades. It also sold out through the Care by Volvo app in under one hour once it became available to order.

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This is a Volvo, so it will come loaded with standard and available safety features, such as City Safety with autobrake that recognizes pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals. It will brake to avoid not just those, but to mitigate head-on collisions. Pilot Assist helps with steering and braking at speeds up to 80 mph. It’s been upgraded for better cornering. It has cross traffic alert, oncoming lane mitigation, and even features to reduce the impact if you drive off the road.

The all-new Volvo S60 sedan starts assembly later this year near Charleston South Carolina, although Care by Volvo subscription service users can book their cars already.

The Volvo South Carolina Factory