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Volvo S60 D4 car review – new tax-busting diesel transforms company car appeal

Company car tax for the Volvo S60 is as little as £53 a month with the new D4 engine. Has Volvo had to make any compromises elsewhere to achieve this?
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10 February 2014

Volvo_S60_D4_review
After a 2013 facelift, the Volvo S60 has taken a serious step forward with the introduction of a new range of lightweight, high efficiency diesel engines. Good news for company car tax payers

Volvo S60 D4 SE Nav

What is it?

The S60 range has been around since 2010, getting a mid-life facelift last year to keep it fresh.

And now it’s got another boost thanks to the introduction of a new D4 engine, a 2.0 litre turbocharged diesel unit that promises to leapfrog the competition.

The range of D4 engines follows a four year development programme in Gothenburg. The result is a complete range of four-cylinder only engines with a new, lighter and more efficient unit that delivers more power. It also replaces the existing five-cylinder turbo diesel D5 unit.

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As well as the much improved emissions and economy numbers, the S60 feels altogether more sprightly – 0-62mph in under 7 seconds. Respect…

Maximum output is now up to 181hp, a rise of 18hp from the outgoing model, while CO2 emissions improve by 15% per cent to a company car tax avoiding 99g/km.

For automatic aficionados, a new eight speed gearbox improves in-gear acceleration while also reducing engine revs at higher speeds, again aiding economy.

All this translates in to a lighter S60 that comes with a useful amount of extra torque (400Nm) to propel it to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds while able to return an official combined mpg figure of 74.3.

This makes the S60 feel sprightlier, with overtaking moves no longer requiring the second thoughts of old, although it remains a long way away from a sports car.

You’re reminded of this in the cabin, with a driver environment that is cosseting rather than encompassing. Supremely comfortable seating relaxes you as you guide Sweden’s finest along, with supple suspension quashing all but the most violent of bumps.

The increased torque did leave the front tyres scrabbling for traction a little too frequently on the damp roads of the Peak District, but there is little in the way of torque steer so all that is required to keep things on the straight and narrow is a slightly lighter right foot.

The revised gearbox, complete with new gear knob, is smooth but with a long throw.

Elsewhere it’s business as normal. There’s a finely crafted cabin up front with a rear seat area that’s comfortable enough for two adults but three would require some very close friends. Further back there’s a decent sized boot.

Equipment levels are sufficient, with all models coming with climate control, cruise control and DIB digital radio, but the likes of electric seats, leather trim and bending headlights are limited to the higher spec models.

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The Volvo S60 D4 is still supremely comfortable for long trips

 

 

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Matt Morton

Matt Morton

Matt Morton is an automotive content writer for Business Car Manager

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