On Wednesday, June 20, Volvo opened the doors to its first U.S. factory, located in Charleston, South Carolina. The Swedish automaker joins a number of premium brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi that now build and sell cars here in the States.
To add a little more sizzle to headlines, Volvo also introduced its 2019 S60 sport sedan. The all-new S60 puts the finishing touches on Volvo’s four-year model line overhaul, which started with the XC90 SUV in 2014.
Borrowing styling cues from the mid-size S90 sedan, the S60 features Thor’s Hammer headlights, Volvo’s corporate grille, and distinct LED taillights. However, the compact sport sedan deviates from its larger sibling with a trunk-integrated spoiler, a swooping C-pillar, and more aggressive bumpers. In short, this thing is ravishing — so much so, that we think established German luxury brands should be a bit concerned.
Inside, the new S60 falls in line with the V60 estate. Highlights include a fully digital driver display; tablet-style 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment; Apple CarPlay; Android Auto; a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot; rich leather wrapping for the seats, door panels, gear selector, and steering wheel; and brushed metal accents. The S60 has seating for five, but four adults would be a more comfortable arrangement.
Breaking from tradition, the new S60 will be the only Volvo to be sold without a diesel variant. Instead, the sedan will be available with two flavors of electric assistance. The T6 model will use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an all-wheel drive, plug-in hybrid setup for a combined 340 horsepower. The T8 steps up to 400hp from a retuned version of the same configuration. If that’s not enough grunt, a range-topping Polestar model will pack 415 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque to go with beefier brakes and a tighter suspension. Strip away the electrification and you’ll have the entry-level T5 S60, which produces 250hp, sent to the front tires exclusively.
On the safety front, the S60 delivers with standard emergency braking, optional full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and a number of other driver assistance features.
Pricing for the Volvo S60 will start at $36,795, including a $995 destination charge, for the T5 Momentum model. The most expensive S60, a fully-loaded T8 with the Inscription package, will set you back $64,985.
If shelling out thousands of dollars all at once isn’t your thing, Volvo will offer the S60 as part of its Care by Volvo subscription service. Here’s how that works out: The car, maintenance, and insurance are included for a single price, either $775 per month for an S60 T6 Momentum, (including Premium and Multimedia packages) or $850 per month for the T6 R-Design (with the same packages, plus 19-inch wheels and sports seats). Down the road, Volvo will include the T8 Polestar S60 in its subscription model, but pricing is TBD.
The 2019 Volvo S60 will roll of the Charleston assembly line in fall 2018.
