First Drive: 2015 Volvo S60 T6 Drive-E
10-09-13, 12:12 PM
#16
Very interested to checking this powertrain out when it is available. Amazing that an auto company that was on the brink of bankruptcy and death can introduce a whole new suite of powertrains before Toyota/Lexus introduces their first recent application of a small 4 cylinder turbo.
10-09-13, 03:51 PM
#17
While I'm aware of both of these points it doesn't make it less amazing. The $11 billion came last year, it takes longer than a year to develop a new family of engines. And while they've been doing turbo's consistently, I still feel like this increasingly shows how far behind Toyota/Lexus is.
Toyota is supposedly the largest R&D spender in the world, and what do they really have to show for it? Most of their vehicles are no where near best in class for MPG and/or power.
Anyways, back on topic. Great job Volvo! Keep it coming!
Toyota is supposedly the largest R&D spender in the world, and what do they really have to show for it? Most of their vehicles are no where near best in class for MPG and/or power.
Anyways, back on topic. Great job Volvo! Keep it coming!
10-09-13, 04:47 PM
#18
Lexus Champion
Very interested to checking this powertrain out when it is available. Amazing that an auto company that was on the brink of bankruptcy and death can introduce a whole new suite of powertrains before Toyota/Lexus introduces their first recent application of a small 4 cylinder turbo.
While I'm aware of both of these points it doesn't make it less amazing. The $11 billion came last year, it takes longer than a year to develop a new family of engines. And while they've been doing turbo's consistently, I still feel like this increasingly shows how far behind Toyota/Lexus is.
Toyota is supposedly the largest R&D spender in the world, and what do they really have to show for it? Most of their vehicles are no where near best in class for MPG and/or power.
Anyways, back on topic. Great job Volvo! Keep it coming!
Toyota is supposedly the largest R&D spender in the world, and what do they really have to show for it? Most of their vehicles are no where near best in class for MPG and/or power.
Anyways, back on topic. Great job Volvo! Keep it coming!
Toyota is NOT on the brink of death so do not need a Chinese saviour to pour in billions to bail them out; and despite the fact that they do not have turbocharged engines, their engines are quite competitive in terms of power AND fuel efficiency AND refinement (not power OR fuel efficiency OR refinement, but a good compromise of all three).
I heard a late model Volvo start up in the parking lot at work this afternoon. I was not sure what model it was (a late model S60 I believe). What a terrible, ROUGH-sounding engine. My first thought was: that is the sound of a luxury car engine? NO THANKS!!! Sounded more like a cheap gas-powered lawn mower than a wannabe luxury car.
10-09-13, 07:41 PM
#19
While I'm aware of both of these points it doesn't make it less amazing. The $11 billion came last year, it takes longer than a year to develop a new family of engines. And while they've been doing turbo's consistently, I still feel like this increasingly shows how far behind Toyota/Lexus is.
Toyota is supposedly the largest R&D spender in the world, and what do they really have to show for it? Most of their vehicles are no where near best in class for MPG and/or power.
Anyways, back on topic. Great job Volvo! Keep it coming!
Toyota is supposedly the largest R&D spender in the world, and what do they really have to show for it? Most of their vehicles are no where near best in class for MPG and/or power.
Anyways, back on topic. Great job Volvo! Keep it coming!
Toyota globally did not need turbo engines due to what kind of cars they sell and in what regions. Lexus for instance sells the best in US where they have V6 engines and in rest of the world they use Hybrids. Toyota brand also doesnt really need turbo engines in their markets - in Europe they have turbo diesels and hybrids for higher end, and petrols for lower end, in Japan it is all becoming hybrid, in Asia and South America due to pricing and bad fuel, they use NA engines anyway.
This is why the only application so far will be 2.0t, which is needed but wont sell in big numbers.
So while it will be cool to have turbo's, they are not really applicable to most of what Toyota sells.
On the other hand, Volvo as a /near) luxury brand, needs higher end engines. Due to nature of their sales, they also need low end engines... only way both of that is possible for small brand is to have turbo 4cly engines and since they are luxury brand thats ok.
Right now, Toyota is in a nice spot with their engines. For majority of their customers, thats all they need as both KR, NZ, ZR, AR, GR and UR series are bulletproof. They get good mix of NVH, consumption and power, while being probably most reliable engines on the market.
I can tell anyone that wants to buy any vehicle that has that engine to rest easy when buying it used... sure, it needs to be checked as any car but otherwise, again, bullet proof.
Want to buy 5-6 year old BMW, VW/Audi turbo engine? Urgh. Great engines, lots of failures. Toyota turbo diesels also have a lot of problems, they are definitely not in the list above.
I would guess the same reason behind Toyota pushing CVT and not DSG. It is more suited to their brand and also a lot more reliable.
10-10-13, 12:16 AM
#22
I have been in XC60 and it looks nice inside.
03-20-14, 09:34 AM
#24
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The Volvo V60 brings Volvo station wagons back to America. Sleek and shapely, the V60 gives up some practicality compared to boxy Volvo wagons in the past. But it's more fun to drive and economical.
04-16-14, 05:17 AM
#25
Volvo prepares S60L Petrol Plug-in Hybrid for Beijing Motor Show
Click here to view more photos
Production version due in China early next year
Volvo has announced plans to showcase starting Sunday at Beijing Motor Show the S60L Petrol Plug-in Hybrid concept.
From the outside it might look virtually identical as the S60L but this Petrol Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) is an entirely different car underneath the familiar skin. The concept combines a conventional turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor to create what the Swedish automaker is describing as being "an electric car, hybrid car and high-performance car all rolled into one."
The regular engine is a 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter unit from Volvo's new Drive-E lineup and delivers 238 bhp (177 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. The electric motor generates an additional 68 bhp (51 kW) and 200 Nm (147 lb-ft) and is powered by a 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted underneath the load compartment. Refilling the batteries from a regular household outlet takes 4.5 hours with 10A amperage or 4 hours with a 16A charge.
When running in "Hybrid" mode, the Volvo S60L PPHEV will return an amazing 117.6 mpg US (141.2 mpg UK or 2 liters / 100 km) with CO2 emissions of just 50 g/km. Running solely on electric power ("Pure") the concept can travel for distances of up to 50 miles (80 km) while hitting the "Power" button will combine the capacities of the turbocharged engine and electric motor to provide a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in an excellent 5.5 seconds.
The front wheels are driven by the gasoline-running engine while the rear axle is powered by the electric motor and if the AWD button is pressed, the powers of the two will be distributed as necessary. The concept's hardware arrangement also includes an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a crankshaft-driven ISG (Integrated Starter Generator)
Volvo will be showcasing the concept starting Sunday at the Beijing Motor Show where it will feature a matte white crystal pearl paint together with contrasting black and blue details on the alloys and lower areas of the body. On the inside there's unique hazel-brown leather with contrasting stitching, as well as chrome detailing and a blond color theme.
A production version of the S60L PPHEV will be introduced in China early next year.
Volvo has announced plans to showcase starting Sunday at Beijing Motor Show the S60L Petrol Plug-in Hybrid concept.
From the outside it might look virtually identical as the S60L but this Petrol Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) is an entirely different car underneath the familiar skin. The concept combines a conventional turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor to create what the Swedish automaker is describing as being "an electric car, hybrid car and high-performance car all rolled into one."
The regular engine is a 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter unit from Volvo's new Drive-E lineup and delivers 238 bhp (177 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. The electric motor generates an additional 68 bhp (51 kW) and 200 Nm (147 lb-ft) and is powered by a 11.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted underneath the load compartment. Refilling the batteries from a regular household outlet takes 4.5 hours with 10A amperage or 4 hours with a 16A charge.
When running in "Hybrid" mode, the Volvo S60L PPHEV will return an amazing 117.6 mpg US (141.2 mpg UK or 2 liters / 100 km) with CO2 emissions of just 50 g/km. Running solely on electric power ("Pure") the concept can travel for distances of up to 50 miles (80 km) while hitting the "Power" button will combine the capacities of the turbocharged engine and electric motor to provide a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in an excellent 5.5 seconds.
The front wheels are driven by the gasoline-running engine while the rear axle is powered by the electric motor and if the AWD button is pressed, the powers of the two will be distributed as necessary. The concept's hardware arrangement also includes an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a crankshaft-driven ISG (Integrated Starter Generator)
Volvo will be showcasing the concept starting Sunday at the Beijing Motor Show where it will feature a matte white crystal pearl paint together with contrasting black and blue details on the alloys and lower areas of the body. On the inside there's unique hazel-brown leather with contrasting stitching, as well as chrome detailing and a blond color theme.
A production version of the S60L PPHEV will be introduced in China early next year.
04-16-14, 10:25 AM
#27
i wish they said whats the hybrid mpg... this stupid game where you quote MPG figures with your 50 mile EV range included does not help anyone.
i like the mpg and performance, seem like great engines... S60 is not worth premium money to me though.
My bro started working more with Volvo these days and I frequently end up going to their dealers, and cars are fine... they just dont scream luxury to me... despite the pricing which is up there almost (here in Europe), to me S60 looks slightly-more-premium.
i like the mpg and performance, seem like great engines... S60 is not worth premium money to me though.
My bro started working more with Volvo these days and I frequently end up going to their dealers, and cars are fine... they just dont scream luxury to me... despite the pricing which is up there almost (here in Europe), to me S60 looks slightly-more-premium.
Last edited by spwolf; 04-16-14 at 11:13 AM.
04-16-14, 10:46 AM
#28
i wish they said whats the hybrid mpg... this stupid game where you quote MPG figures with your 50 mile EV range included does not help anyone.
i like the mpg and performance, seem like great engines... S60 is not worth premium money to me though.
My started working more with Volvo these days and I frequently end up going to their dealers, and cars are fine... they just dont scream luxury to me... despite the pricing which is up there almost (here in Europe), to me S60 looks slightly-more-premium.
i like the mpg and performance, seem like great engines... S60 is not worth premium money to me though.
My started working more with Volvo these days and I frequently end up going to their dealers, and cars are fine... they just dont scream luxury to me... despite the pricing which is up there almost (here in Europe), to me S60 looks slightly-more-premium.
04-16-14, 12:28 PM
#30
in theory, them being premium and S60 starting at $33k is fine... in practice, they end up charging $53-55k for loaded one which has nothing crazy on them...
