Volvo S60 D5
Test Drive

Volvo S60 D5

There was not much surprise, as the progress of turbodiesel engines has been evident for some time, it is also very noticeable. You've probably looked at the roads, how many people are already driving modern cars with TDi, DTi, DCi, DITD ozna markings? Huge.

And not only did older drivers bet on the diesel Golf in Sarajevo decades ago, but in more modern times, satisfied with the low fuel consumption and realizing less pollution, they are betting on the modern turbodiesel. They are also new, young and dynamic drivers who sometimes honestly step on the gas pedal.

One of those who captivates old and young is definitely the Volvo S60 D5. Unique, prestigious, safe, for those who don't like BMW or Mercedes-Benz. Together with SAAB, which in Slovenia is designed for only one slightly larger garage, it presents an alternative to the larger prestige car. This is not the S80, which is the flagship of Volvo's prestigious sedans, nor the S40, which true fans of this Swedish car brand rightfully do not recognize as a real Volvo. At 4 meters long, it is larger than the BMW 580 Series (3 meters) and MB Class C (4 meters), and even at 47 meters wide, its biggest competitors cannot come close to it. 4 or 525 meters).

But, despite the large area that it occupies on our globe, there is not much space inside. The editors said they were getting a little cramped for such a big car, but I have to admit that I would rather describe “cramped” as “everything at hand”. It just depends on how you perceive the space around you or, with a bit of malice, how many of you are around your waist. The seat is by no means too small for tall drivers, however, as the driver's seat is adjustable in all directions. Also the steering wheel. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with even demanding drivers designing their workplace according to their (stricter) regulations.

To make you feel better, we have to add automatic air conditioning, high-quality radio with high-quality sound system (ah, Dolby Surround Pro Logic, our senses are fine), speakerphone capability (on the steering wheel and they also offer a headset between the front seats.), Cruise -control, trip computer, not to mention six airbags and abundant use of leather and wood imitation. But the long list of accessories means the S60 D5's moderate base price skyrockets.

The two-liter five-cylinder engine we tested in the S2 is also available in V4 or S60 versions. The all-aluminum engine weighs just 70 kg, which means it is only 80 kg heavier than a comparable gasoline engine. Less weight means better vehicle handling, better acceleration, higher top speed and, just as important, a smoother ride. You will be surprised by the smooth running and good sound insulation of the car when starting off and the sovereignty of the said engine when accelerating.

Volvo rightfully boasts 340 Nm of torque at a very low 1750 rpm, and they can also be proud of the average diesel consumption, which in our test was 7 liters per 9 kilometers. For a car weighing 100 kilograms (without a driver), this is very good data, since acceleration from 1570 to 0 km / h in 100 seconds and a top speed of more than 9 km / h is not a cat's cough. Volvo engineers have achieved this with a state-of-the-art common rail fuel injection system in which fuel is injected directly into the engine cylinders through a single pressure manifold controlled by electronically controlled injectors. The injection pressure is increased to 5 bar and the turbocharger – via electronic vane tilt control – adapts to your driving style. With a moderate right leg, it is a gallant limousine; with a more demanding driver, it whistles. Turbine hole? What is this?

The five-speed manual transmission is a reliable right hand engine. That way, your right hand won't have to struggle to keep up with the right engine speed, whether the car is driven by a calm father on a business trip or a hormonally "unbalanced" teenage son on his way to the nearest ski resort. . On slippery terrain, STC's front-wheel drive traction control has proven effective in calming a 163-horsepower, high-torque, steady state just like a mother effectively calms a restless baby. The STC can be toggled (a button at the bottom of the center console), but even then, the vaunted safety of this Swedish car (which lands like snow on the first sunny day, and some French rivals already outdo it) won't help anymore. you when trying to tame your own dancing front wheels. Therefore, you need to be very careful when doing this.

“I'll take it back,” were the first words when I recommended to more affluent acquaintances to buy a new car with a modern turbodiesel engine. However, I've been able to convince me even more since we had another Volvo in parallel in the office, a V70 XC with a 2-liter turbocharged petrol engine, which turned out to be a significantly worse choice. Therefore, we have the right to ask ourselves: what remains for gasoline engines?

Alyosha Mrak

Photo: Urosh Potocnik.

Volvo S60 D5

Basic data

Sales: Volvo Car Austria
Base model price: 27.762,04 €
Test model cost: 34.425,47 €
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Power:120kW (163


KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h): 9,5 with
Maximum speed: 210 km / h
Mixed flow ECE: 6,5l / 100km

Technical information

engine: 5-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - direct injection diesel - front mounted transversely - bore and stroke 81,0 × 93,2 mm - displacement 2401 cm3 - compression ratio 18,0:1 - maximum power 120 kW ( 163 hp) at 4000 rpm - maximum torque 340 Nm at 1750-3000 rpm - crankshaft in 6 bearings - 2 camshafts in the head (timing belt) - 4 valves per cylinder - common rail fuel injection - Turbocharger exhaust gases - Aftercooler - Liquid cooling 8,0 l - Engine oil 5,5 l - Oxidation catalyst
Energy transfer: the engine drives the front wheels - 5-speed manual transmission - gear ratio I. 3,390; II. 1,910 hours; III. 1,190 hours; IV. 0,870; V. 0,650; Reverse 3,300 - Differential 3,770 - Tires 205/55 R16 91W (Continental Conti SportContact)
Capacity: top speed 210 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 9,5 s - average fuel consumption (ECE) 6,5 l / 100 km (gas oil)
Transportation and suspension: 4 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, spring feet, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear single suspension, longitudinal swing, double cross rails, Watt's parallelogram, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, front discs, rear wheels, power steering, ABS, EBD - power steering, power steering
Mass: empty vehicle 1570 kg - permissible total weight 2030 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake 1600 kg, without brake 500 kg - permissible roof load 75 kg
External dimensions: length 4580 mm - width 1800 mm - height 1430 mm - wheelbase 2720 mm - track front 1560 mm - rear 1560 mm - driving radius 11,8 m
Inner dimensions: length 1540 mm - width 1530/1510 mm - height 900-960 / 900 mm - longitudinal 880-1110 / 950-760 mm - fuel tank 70 l
Box: (normal) 424 l

Our measurements

T = 10 ° C, p = 1000 mbar, rel. vl. = 77%
Acceleration 0-100km:9,6s
1000m from the city: 31,1 years (


168 km / h)
Maximum speed: 210km / h


(V.)
Minimum consumption: 6,4l / 100km
test consumption: 7,9 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h: 38,0m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear56dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear55dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear54dB

evaluation

  • Volvo S60 D5 is a real alternative to BMW 330D or Mercedes-Benz C 270 CDI. What's more, the Volvo D5 offers a distinctive five-cylinder grunt sound that - for some of us at least - flattens the ears and arouses the ego. Not to mention the average consumption of less than eight liters on the test ... The situation is different in the segment of German limousines. Therefore, it is suitable for those who rely on prestigious sedans with powerful turbodiesel engines, but do not want to be just "one of many".

We praise and reproach

engine performance

low fuel consumption

insignificant “turbo hole”

comfort

lack of boxes on the dashboard

small hole in the trunk

access to the back bench

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