Fresh off a recent re-design just last year, the S60 took the Volvo brand to a whole new level of four-door style, technology, and performance. Still, being who we are, we wanted more. And, Volvo has delivered… with this car, the S60 T6 R-Design.  There’s more power and a new suspension. So, let’s race to the track and see if good just became great.

The 2012 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design may be the sportiest Volvo sedan yet, but you sure wouldn’t know by looking at it. It still looks like a Volvo for the suburbs, though our car’s bright red color does help it stand out. 

Attracting more of our attention is the 3-liter turbocharged I6 under the hood. Power is good at 325-horsepower, and torque is even better at 354 pound feet, both numbers are about 25 over standard T6 fare. Other mechanical upgrades include a new “Sport Chassis” which adds a front strut brace, rear monotube dampers, and stiffer springs and bushings all around.

Sounds promising, but through the high speed turns of Roebling Road Raceway near Savannah, Georgia we felt that it didn’t quite deliver on those promises. Not to say it misses the mark completely. The T6 R-Design does stay relatively flat in corners and feels lighter than its 3,800-pounds should. But, when flat out, it failed to deliver the kind of one-with-the driver response we love in its 3-Series and S4 rivals. Too much understeer, numbish steering, and fading brakes held our track ambitions in check.

On the other hand, most drivers will be more than happy with the car’s street performance. When driven at a sane but still aggressive pace, the S60 R-Design is solidly in its element. There, it feels stable and capable, and the seats that have you sliding all over the place when on the track, provide extreme comfort for a spirited back road commute. 

Volvo’s electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system with Advanced Stability Control, Corner Traction Control, Torque Vectoring, and Instant Traction, is standard, and all systems work together seamlessly. And we did get “instant traction” off the line, and reached 60 miles-per-hour in just 5.2-seconds. The ¼ mile went by in an equally quick 13.6-seconds at 102 miles-per-hour. So, in a straight line the T6 R-Design is sneaky quick. It never feels overly powerful, but it approaches triple digits before you know it.

Standard transmission is a 6-speed Geartronic driver-adaptive automatic with sport-manual shift mode. Gear changes were quick enough, and remained smooth under pressure. Unlike rivals, no true manual is available.

The interior gets quite a few upgrades with the R-Design package. There’s a new steering wheel, shifter, and sport pedals as well as aluminum trim and R-Design logos throughout the cabin. Volvo’s Sensus 7-inch LCD monitor keeps you up to date on most vehicle functions, and includes navigation when you add the optional Multimedia Package, which also upgrades the stereo to 650-watts and 12-speakers. Center stack controls are a little confusing for those who haven’t been in a Volvo recently, but they’re still more intuitive than most other European luxury brands, and there’s also lot of control from the steering wheel. A Rear Park Assist Camera is also part of the Multimedia Package. Gauges don a blue “watch-dial” look, and the leather sport seats with contrasting stitching have excellent support for short and long trips.  

Rear seat legroom is better than the previous S60 but a little short of class best. Seats are also comfy and headroom plentiful. Trunk space is modest at 12 cubic feet, but folding seatbacks and a pass through make for excellent versatility.

As for that sleeper exterior, there are actually quite a few updates, though you do have to look closely. The front end sports additional air intakes, a spoiler, a gloss-black grille, and active dual-Xenon headlights. Silver-trim rims the greenhouse and side mirrors, while new 18-inch wheels hold 235/18 all-season rubber. Out back, an R-Design rear diffuser wraps around polished 3.5-inch exhaust tips, with a rear spoiler atop the deck lid. Nice-looking, arched LED tail lights follow the shape of the fenders and include rear fog lights.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings for the S60 R-Design are no different than other T6 all-wheel-drive sedan at 18-City and 26-Highway. Expect to average around 21 miles-per-gallon of Regular in daily use. Energy Impact Score is average at 15.7 barrels of oil consumed per year, with annual CO2 emissions of 7 tons. 

Although it may not be the top track star in its class, the T6 R-Design’s price is also far from top of its class, starting at $43,825 extremely well-equipped and that’s with all-wheel-drive. A base Volvo S60 starts at just $32,175. 

So while we feel the 2012 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design doesn’t challenge the best of its German rivals in all-out performance, it is deceptively fast, handsome, and overall a very capable and extremely comfortable sport sedan. It’s also a further step up for the new S60 and the Volvo brand. A step that adds a nice dash of spice to an already tasty dish.

Specifications

  • Engine: 3-liter turbocharged I6
  • Horsepower: 325
  • Torque: 354 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph: 5.2 seconds
  • 1/4 mile: 13.6 seconds @ 102 mph
  • EPA: 18 mpg city/ 26-mpg highway
  • Energy Impact: 15.7 barrels of oil/yr
  • CO2 Emissions: 7 tons/yr