Sexy with a hint of wild – the 2015 Volvo S60 T6 [First Impressions]

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The 2015 Volvo S60 T6 shines as a elegant; yet, simplistic sedan with a wildly powerful engine. According to Swedish folklore, Tallemaja is a fair and beautiful woman who lives in the woods, but she’s wild and has a long cow-tail – and she’s a bit of a dwarf or troll. Okay, forget the troll/dwarf part. The point is: the 2015 Volvo S60 T6 is beautiful and it has a wild side.

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Volvo added a supercharger and a turbocharger to a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine which puts out 302 horsepower and it makes 295 lbs-feet of torque way down, under 2,500 rpm. The supercharger spools up first and gives the 2-liter lag-free, low-end torque. Once the rpms build, the supercharger is disconnected and the turbocharger takes over. The whole affair is seamless and Volvo’s eight-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters) applies the power to the front wheels with little drama – unless you’re slamming the accelerator down.

Now 302 hp going to the front wheels will create a bit of drama, if you push it. The 2015 Volvo S60 T6’s electronic aids seem to quell a majority of the torque-steer; however, not all of it is fully under control and the front wheels dance on tarmac a bit. You can truly feel it when you power into a corner from a complete stop.

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The power is addictive and passing power is intense. Off the line, the 2015 Volvo S60 T6 embarrassed more than one German sedan. It hunkers down in the corners and allows a bit of bravado before a myriad of traction aids kick in. Steering feel is synthetic, but the steering weight is pretty good. Placing the front wheels accurately is simple and the overall feel is confidence inspiring.

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I like the ride balance. The platform feels firm, but there is little drama. when going through a pothole. Highway rides, even with the optional 19-inch wheels, are comfortable. Noise from the engine is muted, which is a good thing. In terms of engineering, the engine’s sound is the only weak point. It sounds like an industrial generator, not like a 300+ horsepower engine.

Despite being a bit of a brute (powerwise), the 2015 Volvo S60 T6 gets excellent gas mileage. According to Volvo: the 2015 Volvo S60 T6 gets 24 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. I averaged 27 mpg – and I drive aggressively.

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The interior quality, fit and finish along with its overall design is competitive with the Germans. The seats are very comfortable, but the backseats are a bit tight on head and legroom. Average sized adults should be pretty comfortable in any seat. The actual look of the interior, especially the seats, is impressive.

Truck-space is limited to 12-cubic feet. That’s small in this class and there is no spare tire available. A flat repair kit resides underneath the trunk’s floor.

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There is a ton of tech available in the 2015 Volvo S60 T6. Much of that tech is there to augment safety and it works seamlessly with the other systems. Other tech, like the start-stop fuel-saving system is a bit of a bother in heavy traffic (it can be easily deactivated).

Volvo also has a nifty app available for most phones called “Volvo On Call.” It can let you control/view things like the door locks, engine, heater and internal telemetry. It also has a nifty “Honk & Flash” control for those of you who misplace your ride. It’s a free app and there’s a ton of other functions available with Volvo On Call.

Starting at $39,000 – my 2015 Volvo S60 tester came loaded with every conceivable gizmo and doodad you can add. These additions brought the MSRP to $47,545. Sure, that’s a lot of cabbage for a front-wheel drive car, but it’s not that bad considering how this car makes you feel.

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The 2015 Volvo S60 T6 is a pretty car, inside and out. It has a glorious engine and excellent tech.

I think Tallemaja would drive one.

Speaking of lovey European rides…

Nathan Adlen Bio Picture Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.