Volvo S60 All-Wheel-Drive
A Volvo for all seasons
By Michael Binstock
Acorn Automotive Editor

From the very beginning I liked Volvo’s S60 sedan. Apart from being the best looking Volvo ever, it brought together everything that Volvo is famous for. From its Scandinavian/European roots to its Camarillo design center elements, the S60 has just completed a year of international recognition and sales success. Now, the S60 is enhanced for 2002 with the availability of All-Wheel-Drive (AWD).

With its dynamic coupe-like look, this passionate expression of the "new" Volvo design language adds Electronically Controlled AWD to its broad complement of sophisticated performance technology, advanced safety engineering and refined designs for personal driving pleasure.

Based on the Volvo P2 platform which spawned the S80 and new V70 series, the S60 was bred as a performance oriented sport sedan distinguished by a nimble and responsive nature with a decidedly Scandinavian character.

The S60 chassis gives exceptional torsional rigidity and together with the decidedly sporting character of the tuned suspension, it delivers a dramatic superior ride quality and exceptional handling. Highly evolved 5-cylinder engines, in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions, 5-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmissions, state-of-the-art braking with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and traction control systems firmly establish the performance character at the heart of this truly refined European sport sedan with the Scandinavian flare.

The S60’s cockpit optimizes the driving experience with clear instruments, intuitive controls that reside within the natural arc of the hand, Volvo’s legendary comfortable seats designed around orthopedic principles and a constellation of driver-centric creature comforts. In a perfect balance of form and function, the S60’s graceful coupe profile does not exact a toll on interior space. To the contrary, the S60 offers a spacious interior with comfortable seating for five. The sleek exterior profile offers additional benefits for the ear as well as the eye. In conjunction with the premium built quality, the smooth, aerodynamic shape contributes to an interior noteworthy for its quiet and reassuring sense of solidity.

"My mandate was to design a car that will appeal to younger people, those who wouldn’t normally consider a Volvo. In short, design a Volvo sedan that is inspired by a sports car and drives like one," says Volvo’s Chief of Design, Peter Horbury. "It’s a true Volvo sedan with the heart and soul of a coupe."

Like previous Volvo all-wheel-drive systems, the new AWD operates completely automatically, independent of the driver. The advantage of the new system is the speed and sophistication with which it operates. In normal driving situations, the S60 AWD primarily powers the front wheels.

It’is only when the system detects that the front wheels have lost traction and have begun to spin that it delivers power to the rear wheels.

The system, created by Haldex of Sweden, uses a mechanical pump and "wet" multi-plate clutch to distribute the power to the rear wheels. The difference in rotational speed between the slipping front wheels and the rear wheels causes the pump (located at the rear differential) to force oil to the wet clutch plates in the rear differential, pushing the plates together to transfer power to the rear wheels. A small electrical pump is used to "pre-pressurize" the system so that power transfer can occur almost instantly.

By measuring front wheel spin, throttle position and other data, the system can determine how quickly to distribute power, and how much power to distribute.

When accelerating on a difficult surface like gravel, for example, the rear wheels can be engaged quickly with maximum power transfer. During a low speed cornering or parking maneuver the system knows that the difference in speed between the wheels does not require the rear wheels to be engaged. As a result, the inertia other systems experience in similar circumstances is avoided.

The extremely fast speed of engagement and disengagement, and the variable power transfer to suit the driving conditions, is a factor in the safety and security the system provides in the S60 AWD.

"The speed of the system gives what was already a well-balanced car exceptionally good road handling. After all, the owner of a sedan does not use all-wheel-drive for off-road accessibility but for optimal road-holding and stability," says Hans Gustavsson, Volvo’s Senior Vice President of Research.

Smooth, seamless power for the S60 AWD comes from the proven 2.4-litre, 5-cylinder aluminum engine with variable valve timing and light-pressure turbocharger. Output is 197 hp at 5,100 rpm and maximum torque is 210 lb./ft. at a low 1,800 rpm.

A member of the new generation RN family of engines, extensively modified for improved emissions and fuel economy, it is the same power plant used in the S60 2.4T. Enhanced engine management software helps the engine deliver impressive power and highly responsive performance,important characteristics that contribute to the S60 AWD’s dynamic character.

At its introduction, the S60 was described as the Swedish manufacturers’ sportiest and most dynamic sedan––ever. The availability of All-Wheel-Drive makes the S60 one of the safest.

In addition to the sporty S60 and the S60 AWD, the 2002 Volvo line includes the flagship S80 luxury sedan, the versatile V70 wagon and rugged Cross Country, C70 Coupe and Convertible, and the compact S40 and V40 models.

All these Volvos can be seen and test driven at Neftin Volvo in the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall.