Fighter Jet!?

One of the things I appreciate about working in automotive media is the opportunity to interact with the people who actually develop cars. This was during the press test drive event for the first-generation Volvo "S60" in Kyushu, which was over 10 years ago (…I just checked, and wow! It’s been 11 years!!). At the time, Vice President Peter Horbury, who was in charge of Volvo's design, visited Japan and gave a brief lecture on design to the press.

Saying, "This is how sporty cars used to look…," he drew a typical long-nose, short-deck silhouette on the whiteboard. It was, of course, an FR sportscar with a long engine compartment and a tightly-contoured cabin, a shape that would immediately bring to mind the "S30" Fairlady Z for us Japanese (It’s a cool car, the S30).

"Next, mid-ship cars appeared on the racing scene…" Here, a flattened, convex shape appeared, squashed vertically. Was it the Ferrari "250LM"? (To definitively call this "sporty!" might require a bit of motorsport knowledge).

"And today's 'sporty' is this," he drew a cabin-forward style. It's an FF car style where the occupant space is pushed as far forward as possible. As if to see through my intention that this prioritizes spatial efficiency over sportiness, the Volvo design vice president continued to draw. A short line like a bird's beak was drawn, and above its base, a halved egg shape. The designer, a man of imposing stature, looked back with a mischievous grin… it was a fighter jet!



Volvo's design revolution, which began in earnest with the "S60" under the banner of "sporty," spread rapidly throughout the entire lineup. To the concern of avid Volvo fans, a new image has now firmly taken root among users. From a manufacturer of plain, friendly cars to a brand that emphasizes stylish Scandinavian design, warm yet cool.

At the Geneva Motor Show in 2010,the second-generation Volvo S60debuted. Two years later, in the spring, 100 units of the sportily styled special limited edition "S60 T4 R-DESIGN" reportedly sold out in no time. Ten years is a generation. Following this, 1,000 units of the "T4 R-DESIGN" were to be sold, equivalent to one month's sales of Volvo cars in Japan. In addition to 300 sedans (S60 T4 R-DESIGN), 700 wagon bodies (V60 T4 R-DESIGN) were now available.

Nordic Plus

The output of the 1595cc inline-4 turbo in the S60/V60 T4 R-DESIGN (maximum output 132kW (180ps) / 5,700rpm, maximum torque 240Nm (24.5kgm) / 1,600-5,000rpm) is the same as the normal DRIVe, but the steering gear is quicker, and the suspension is sportily stiffened. The exterior is adorned with a special front bumper, grille, and tailpipe (dual type), and the aluminum wheels also have a dedicated design. The tires fitted are 2-inch larger (!!) 235/40R18.



The interior is also significantly sportier. The seats are luxurious off-black leather sports seats, and the aluminum panels on the dashboard, the blue-glowing meters, and the leather steering wheel all proclaim "R." It's a cool Scandinavian interior.

The price is 4.48 million yen for the S60, which has a lip spoiler at the trunk end, and 4.68 million yen for the V60, which uses dark tinted glass on all five rear windows. However, neither are catalog models; the S60 is limited to 300 units and the V60 to 700 units. Body colors available are "black," "red," "white," and "silver."

Sitting in the Sports Seats and Starting to Drive

Not too long ago, Volvo in Japan meant the 850 wagon and its successor, the V70. However, the current models feel a bit too large for use in a small island nation, and sales have been sluggish. On the other hand, the new "60" series, initially a sedan, has expanded to include a wagon and an SUV, and now accounts for half of Volvo's car sales. When sales are strong, it's natural to expand the variations, and the T4 R-DESIGN with the 1.6-liter turbo was planned as an "affordable R-DESIGN."

For the S60 T4 R-DESIGN, the price has increased by about 300,000 yen compared to the previous limited version, but the optional sports seats are now standard, along with keyless entry, body-colored door handles, and a trunk lip spoiler. Electric Silver Metallic is also a new color.


Opening the door and getting into the Volvo. The side bolsters are robust, but the seat is soft. I sit in the sports seat and start driving. The steering wheel lock-to-lock is just over two and a half turns. While the steering gear is quicker, it doesn't mean the turning radius is smaller; in fact, due to the 2-inch larger tires, the turning radius has increased from 5.5 to 5.8 meters. For "older" Volvo fans who remember Volvo's FR era, this is a bit disappointing.

Straight as an Arrow

Glancing at the youthful blue meters, I accelerate, and as I felt during the normal DRIVe test drive, it's quite powerful. The initial acceleration is good. Although it's a 1.6-liter turbo that generates maximum torque from a low 1,600 rpm, it produces a pleasant sound as it revs up. The gear changes by the dual-clutch are smooth, and the T4 R-DESIGN has a "fun" factor that matches its sporty appearance.

The suspension isn't just about reinforced bushings; the springs, dampers, and stabilizers are all strengthened. Compared to the regular DRIVe, it features a dedicated setting that is two steps sportier (from "Touring" to "Dynamic"). It was raining on the day of the press test drive. If you floor it suddenly, the front wheels sometimes get a bit wild, indicating a rather firm suspension.



Furthermore, "CITY SAFETY," which monitors the vehicle ahead with a laser to adjust the following distance and even applies the brakes, is standard equipment. "HUMAN SAFETY," which monitors the road ahead using a digital camera in addition to a laser to detect not only vehicles but also pedestrians and prevent collisions, is also available as an option. With a reasonable price tag of 100,000 yen, it's a must-have.

Compared to the "big three" German manufacturers, the T4 R-DESIGN is relatively affordable and well-equipped with safety features. It's worth test driving at a dealership before the limited run of 1,000 units sells out.

Volvo V60 T4 R-DESIGN
Body Dimensions | Length 4,630 x Width 1,865 x Height 1,480mm
Wheelbase | 2,775mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,560kg
Minimum Ground Clearance | 135mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,580/1,575mm
Tires | 235/40R 18
Engine | 1,595cc Inline-4 DOHC Turbo
Maximum Output | 132kW (180ps) / 5,700rpm
Maximum Torque | 240Nm (24.5kgm) / 1,600-5,000rpm
Transmission | Electronically Controlled 6-Speed AT "Geartronic"
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 12.8km/ℓ
Vehicle Price | 4.68 million yen