In recent years, Volvo’s vehicle designs have shed their traditionally rigid, boxy lines, embracing instead more rounded and streamlined body contours. This transformation showcases Volvo’s bold new generation of dynamic styling. The All-New Volvo S60, hailed as the most sporty model in Volvo’s history, clearly reflects this major breakthrough in automotive design. While the world was still captivated by the dynamic appearance of the new S60, Volvo struck while the iron was hot and introduced a derivative estate version — the All-New Volvo V60. Not only does it offer spacious and flexible practicality, but it also boasts a coupe-like exterior style and outstanding performance and handling, embodying a sporty estate that excels in both motion and stillness. With a youthful, passionate racing vibe that sets it apart from traditional estates, the V60 presents a bold new face.
Sleek styling that stands out
Estate cars, traditionally known for their emphasis on practical space, have often been perceived as bulky and stiff in appearance. But with the evolution of time, automakers have increasingly introduced sleeker, more sporty estate models. Among them, the Swedish icon Volvo not only focuses on innovation and development in driving safety technology, but also places great importance on delivering a comfortable driving experience for both driver and passengers. The Volvo V60, a purebred sporty estate derived from the dynamic styling of the Volvo S60, combines sleek, dynamic design with exceptional performance and versatile space — completely shattering the stereotype of traditional estates.
Gone are the days of the traditional estate’s boxy rear end. The all-new V60 features smoother, more fluid lines, accentuated by a subtle spoiler on the tailgate, giving it a tightly muscled coupe-like rear. The LED taillights, designed to flow vertically along the contours of the rear, create a highly recognizable and distinctive look. Additionally, Volvo offers an optional R-Design aerodynamic package for the new V60, which includes front and rear bumper under spoilers, side skirts, and 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels — allowing owners to personalize their sporty estate.
A pair of double-wave body creases extend from the headlights to the taillights. Thanks to the concave design in the middle section, the visual center of gravity of the entire car is lowered, giving it a more composed and sleek coupe-like profile. The deliberately raised shoulder line along the sides, paired with the slightly downward-sloping roofline behind the B-pillar, creates an optical effect that draws the eye toward the rear.
Dynamic front fascia with sporty flair
Continuing the design language of the S60, the new-generation V60 features a unique wedge-shaped body, a sloping front end, and Volvo’s signature chrome-plated hexagonal grille. The DNA Daytime Running Lights positioned in front of the headlights complete the transplant of the new S60’s dynamic front fascia.
The 2012 V60 T5 is powered by a 2.0-liter GTDi turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engine — the perfect piece of the puzzle that further enhances handling and power, making the V60 T5 virtually flawless. With a maximum output of 240 horsepower and an impressive torque of 32.6 kgm delivered across a broad range of 1,800 to 5,000 rpm, the V60 T5 matches its elegant exterior with equally refined performance. Paired with the Powershift 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the V60 T5 delivers acceleration that feels composed and effortless, striking an excellent balance between spirited driving and comfort. Rather than shouting its excellence through aggressive bursts, it responds with a smooth, linear force — less about heart-pounding thrust, but more about endless reserves of power always at your back.
Stable chassis for a premium feel
Thanks to its robust Dynamic sport chassis, the strengths of European cars in stability are brought to near-perfection. Even in the intense SPORT mode, road feel remains comfortably composed. Through thousands of hours of fine-tuning by the R&D team on a brand-new chassis project, the V60 T5 offers precise and responsive steering, with a heightened sense of unity between the car’s body and the steering wheel during cornering. The steering wheel also comes with three adjustable settings for different driving preferences — light, medium, or heavy — allowing each driver to choose their ideal mode. To enhance safety, Volvo Cars Taiwan has made the “PAC Parking Assist Camera” and “Front Parking Assist Radar” standard across all trims. Together with the ASC improved anti-roll sensor, CTC cornering traction control, and DSTC dynamic traction control system in Sport mode, these features intervene with greater intelligence and precision, reducing the risk of loss of control, skidding, or even rollover. The DSTC system also serves as a reassuring backstop during spirited driving, providing extra stability when the car is subjected to strong lateral forces.
Volvo, a brand that has always put vehicle safety at its core, has also equipped the new-generation V60 with cutting-edge global safety technologies. In addition to ABS, EBA electronic brake assist, EBD electronic brakeforce distribution, and DSTC dynamic traction control, it also features the CWFAB Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake system — a Volvo-pioneered innovation with pedestrian detection capability.
New protective technology to reduce accidents
This active protection technology primarily uses radar sensors embedded in the grille and an optical camera integrated into the upper edge of the windshield and the interior rearview mirror. The radar detects the distance and relative speed between the vehicle and objects ahead, while the camera determines whether those objects are vehicles or pedestrians. If the CWFAB system detects a potential collision and the driver fails to slow down, it will automatically engage the brakes to help avoid or mitigate the impact.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a clean, uncluttered yet high-quality Scandinavian interior. The slim center console adopts an asymmetrical layout for the climate controls and a slight leftward tilt for driver-oriented design, making it easy to read and operate the 7-inch full-color touchscreen display and the climate control knobs and buttons. The center console, finished with genuine wood trim and matte metal accents, paired with sporty leather seats, gives the cabin a fashionable and sporty elegant atmosphere.
The simple dual-circle instrument panel features LCD screens in the center of each dial, providing information on fuel consumption, mileage, and cruise control. With the multifunctional controls on the three-spoke steering wheel, drivers can easily set cruise control modes and access vehicle information with just a touch. The 7-inch full-color touchscreen in the center console integrates satellite navigation, multimedia entertainment, and parking assist camera functions into the VSI information control interface. Its intuitive graphical interface makes it easy for both drivers and passengers to get started.
Spacious rear seats with ergonomic design
When it comes to practical space — the most important aspect of an estate car — the new-generation V60 features a long 2,776mm wheelbase, offering generous knee room for rear passengers. The seats are upholstered with padding of just the right firmness and feature an ergonomic design that helps reduce discomfort during long journeys.
Additionally, the front seats come with eight-way power adjustment and three memory settings, allowing drivers to quickly find their ideal driving position. The lettering “R-Design” can also be found on the center of the seatback.
As for luggage space — a crucial feature of any estate car — the new V60 comes with a two-tier cargo tray that provides stability and concealment when transporting goods. With the rear seats upright, it offers a capacity of 430 liters. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats can be reclined, and simply lowering the middle seatback creates a length of 1,749mm, allowing for long items while still accommodating four passengers. Folding all the rear seats flat opens up a generous 1,241 liters of flat, usable space — perfect for long outdoor trips. The luggage compartment opening is up to 1,095mm wide and 658mm from the ground, making it easy for adults to load and unload luggage without strain.
Many consumers struggle to choose between practicality and driving enjoyment when buying a car. The all-new Volvo V60 strikes the perfect balance, offering a coupe-like dynamic exterior, flexible and versatile space, and agile handling. This distinctive Volvo V60 is sure to win the hearts of many domestic customers.