New Volvo V60 sports wagon revealed

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In an attempt to capture a larger number of sales in the competitive European wagon category, the new Volvo V60 has been launched as the sporty five-door version of the all-new S60. The car is being offered with eight different engines in an attempt to lure at least 50,000 new customers annually.

The V60 is available with four inline-four petrol engines, including two 1.6-liter units that produce up to 240 Nm of torque and either 112 or 134 kW, and two 2.0-liter models that produce either 151 kW and 300 Nm or 179 kW and 320 Nm.

Its range-leading inline-six is a 3.0-liter unit that kicks out 227 kW and up to 440 Nm. This powerful engine gets the car from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, with an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Diesel offerings include a 86 kW, 270-Nm 1.6-liter inline-four, and two inline-five workhorses. The first is a 2.0-liter model that kicks out 122 kW and up to 400 Nm, while the top diesel model churns out 153 kW and up to 420 Nm.

"Many of the customers who had an advance look at the new V60 during the development process feel that its attitude is at least as sporty as that of the all-new S60," said Volvo Design Director Peter Horbury.

To make the car look sportier, it has been given a coupe-inspired roof, sculpted styling at the front, and a bulging "shoulder" to keep with Volvo's design language. The car will be sold on a new dynamic chassis in Europe, though some markets will get a choice between a touring chassis and the European standard with its stiffer dampers.

Collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, all-wheel drive, tight steering, stability control, traction control in the corners, and an advanced brake system are all included for the driver's benefit. Fold-flat seating is not only used at the back, but also with the front passenger seat, which means loading long objects through the 1,095mm-wide tailgate. Total load capacity is 430 liters.

Look for pricing of the new Volvo V60 to be announced soon.