2019 Volvo S60: South Carolina's delicious snacks

Volvo Cars launched a new car and a new manufacturing plant at the same time a few days ago. This is a dual identity that you don't often see. The new car in question is the S60 sedan, and the plant is the company's first American manufacturing plant outside of Charleston, South Carolina. The Swedes said that the opening of the factory strengthened Volvo Cars' commitment to the United States and showed how much they value the new S60.

Electric Avenue

Power & Performance

Safety & Security

Pricing & Availability

2019 Volvo S60 Gallery

Electric Avenue

Volvo points out how the new S60 is the first Volvo car to be sold

without

a diesel engine. Volvo says this signals “the company’s industry-leading commitment to electrification and a future beyond the traditional combustion engine.” I say it also shows that Volvo doesn’t want to get caught up in a Scandinavian version of diesel-gate and end up with various board members being thrown into Saltvik Prison. (BTW, when looking up a funny Swedish prison name, I came across this:

Prison Life in Scandinavia – Discover Scandinavia

; seriously, dude, an article from a Scandinavian

tourist site

about how great their prisons are!)

But it’s more than just that; Volvo seems very serious about this whole EV thing, saying that from 2019

all-new

models will be electrified.

2019 Volvo S60 R-Design. Photo: Volvo Car Group.

Power & Performance

This new, American-built S60 will be propelled by the company’s turbo and supercharged T8 Twin Engine Plug­-In Hybrid system. The internal combustion plant puts out 313 horsepower, and the rear electric motor adds another 87 for a combined, healthy power output of 400 horsepower. Tasty!

In addition to the T8 version, the T5 front-wheel drive and T6 all-wheel drive will also be available.

The new S60 shares the Scalable Product Architecture platform with other Volvo cars, such as the new V60 wagon and XC60.

Safety & Security

And, since this is a Volvo, it’s about as safe as a castle. There’s the City Safety system with Autobrake technology to assist the driver in avoiding potential collisions. Volvo says City Safety is the only system on the market that can recognize pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals and can engage auto braking to mitigate oncoming collisions.

There’s an optional Pilot Assist system to support you with steering, acceleration, and braking on well-marked roads up to 80 mph. The S60 also comes with Run­off Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, and other steering assistance nannies.

Infotainment? Oh, sure: The Sensus Connect system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and works via a tablet-style touchscreen interface that combines car functions, navigation, connected services, and various entertainment apps.

Photo: Volvo Car Group.

Pricing & Availability

The T5 FWD, T6 AWD, and T8 Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid will carry an MSRP of $35,800, $40,300, and $54,400, respectively. The new S60 will also be “sold” via Volvo’s new subscription service, Care by Volvo. The subscription deal means no down payment and a monthly flat rate. No worrying about maintenance and that sort of thing.

A well-equipped S60 T6 AWD Momentum is available for $775 a month through the program; an S60 T6 AWD R-Design can be had for $850 a month.

The new S60 also has a Polestar Engineered variant, which includes upgrades to the exterior and interior design, wheels, brakes, suspension, and engine control unit. This is the one you want to buy, but they will be extremely limited.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of

Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon.

Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz

2019 Volvo S60 Gallery

Photo and source: Volvo Car Group.