2001 Volvo S60 in Whittier

Stockholm - In Sweden, they eat a lot of fish--even for breakfast. Sure, it's good for you, but not everyone wants to face a plate of cold herring first thing in the morning. Similarly, many people recognize that Volvos are good for you--safe, rational, responsible cars--but they don't want to buy one.

So Volvo has been trying to prove that its cars are not just good for you. They can also be stylish (C70), rugged (Cross Country), or luxurious (S80). The new S60 sedan sets out to show that Volvos can be sporty. (That's a far cry from the outgoing S70, which proved that Volvos could be boxy and boring.)

The S60 uses Volvo's front-wheel-drive P2 platform, also the foundation under the S80 and the V70 wagon. The three exhibit a distinct family resemblance, particularly in the protruding schnoz and the beltline's rounded "shoulder," both designed to evoke the Volvo 122 of the 1960s. Still, only the S60's front fenders, front doors, and hood are shared with the V70; the rest of the exterior sheetmetal is unique. The sporty look comes chiefly from the flowing roofline, which mimics the C70 coupe. Other sporty cues include the wide stance, the subtle flares at the wheel openings, and the tucked-in bumpers (which still manage to meet federal no-damage standards in collisions up to 5 mph). There are also some very cool eighteen-inch wheels available as a dealer option.

Much of the interior--dashboard, door panels, center console--is lifted from the V70. To make the S60 feel a little sportier, it gets a three-spoke steering wheel, front seats with more pronounced side bolsters (a rear seat that's shaped for two also can be had), and available two-color upholstery. There's more room inside than you'd think.... Read full article