Volvo's S60 R-Design gets sporty but stays safe 09/01/2011
The 2012 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design takes the Swedish automaker's sedan to a whole new level. This version of the S60 has a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged engine that cranks out 325 horsepower, which is 25 more horses than the standard T6 offers and significantly higher than the base T5 model (250 hp). When you really punch the gas, the R-Design can race from zero to 60 in just 5.5 seconds, according to Popular Mechanics.
Even with all that power, both versions of the T6 get decent fuel economy - 18 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway. The T5 model, which only has five cylinders under the hood, gets 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
In true Volvo fashion, the R-Design puts a lot of focus on safety. Popular Mechanics reports that the new car comes equipped with City Safety, which will apply brakes for the driver when the vehicle is traveling under 19 miles per hour and the system detects a possible collision. The safety system will also slam on the brakes immediately when it detects a human figure in the car's path.
Volvo also amped up the S60's appearance for the R-Design, with a lower front fascia, a rear spoiler and five-spoke wheels that are more sporty than the standard Volvo wheels. Inside the vehicle, MotorTrend states that the R-Design has new, comfortable seats, a uniquely-designed steering wheel and bright blue accents on the gauges.