2012 Volvo V60 Launched In Malaysia, Redefines How An Estate Should Look Like

Volvo Car Malaysia has launched the 2012 Volvo V60 as two locally-assembled variants: the RM 230,000 1.6 T4 and the RM 269,000 2.0 T5 (OTR prices without insurance). Other than being the sleekest estate, or Sportwagon in Volvo talk, on the market, local and beyond, the V60 could be the Swedish brand's sportiest car ever, Volvo says, as it possesses the dynamic goods to compete with the XC60 and the S60 for the title of “The Most Dynamic Volvo Model Ever”.

Volvo has reserved the ‘60’ name for its sportiest models, starting with the XC60, then the S60, and now the V60, whose chassis and suspension, the same as the S60's, have been tuned to be overtly sporty, dynamic enough to do justice to its sleek coupe-like profile, an impression created by a pronounced wedge shape. Indeed, the V60 is not positioned as a rival to the traditional estates; there is the V50 for that.

The Volvo V60 cabin is essentially the S60's with extra space and flexibility, thanks to 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, a 430-litre boot, and a 1095-mm wide tailgate. The instruments, controls and centre console are angled towards the driver for an added sense of sportiness, and a three-spoke steering wheel and sports seats with extra side supports reinforce the V60's sporty intent.

Both engines feature Volvo's Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDi) technology, which grinds out a lot of power and torque from relatively small engine displacements. The 1.6 T4 churns out 180 HP at 5700 rpm and 240 Nm between 1600 rpm and 5000 rpm, and it increases to 270 Nm with an on-demand overboost function. Equipped with a six-speed dual-clutch Powershift transmission, the 1.6 T4 takes 9.2 seconds for the century sprint, and hits a 220 km/h top speed.

The 2.0 T5 is significantly more powerful, pumping out 240 HP at 5500 rpm and 320 Nm across a wide range from 1800 rpm to 5000 rpm. Those outputs are enough to propel the Volvo V60 from rest to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and on to its 230 km/h top speed. GTDi also lowers both fuel consumption and carbon emissions: the 2.0 T5 returns 12.1 km/litre and emits 194 grams/km, while the 1.6 T4 returns 13.3 km/litre and emits 173 grams/km.

Standard on both variants are 17" alloys, wrapped in 215/50 tyres on the 1.6 T4 and 235/45 tyres on the 2.0 T5, leather upholstery, power front seats, automatic climate control, keyless entry and start, steering-mounted audio controls, and an eight-speaker 4x40-watt amplifier with a colour screen. The 1.6 T4 comes with a CD player and a 5" integrated colour screen; the 2.0 T5 provides more with a DVD player, a 7" screen, and a navigation system.

Volvo was always going to equip the V60 to the maximum and it shows on the safety list—from passive equipment like front/side/curtain airbags, front/rear seatbelt pretensioners and Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), to active features such as Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, City Safety, Active Bending Lights and Blind Spot Information System. The 2.0 T5 is again better-equipped, exclusive with the Adaptive Cruise Control, and the Collision Warning System with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection. Enjoy the 2012 Volvo V60 official gallery below!