Spy Shots: Next-gen Volvo S60 caught completely uncovered
by Dan Roth on Sep 9th 2009 at 10:57AM 
The gestation period for a new Volvo model has always been rather languid. Back in the 1950s, when tailfins were making annual progress toward low earth orbit, Volvo was cranking out PV444 and 544s. Those cars spent a good part of a decade looking like 1940s Fords, and so it's gone with Volvo's models. The iconic 200 series was in production for nearly 20 years, so while the current S60 was first teased nearly ten years ago, the fact that it's still on sale isn't that surprising given the brand's history of model longevity. All the way back to Volvo's original stylist Jan Wilsgaard, the Swedish automaker has had good looking cars that stand up over time. Of course, a glance at the latest S60 sales figures might indicate that the public is using the car as an illustration of "long in tooth." Most of Volvo's range has been recently refreshed, but its important bread and butter sedan has been soldiering on largely unchanged from its 2005 mid-cycle freshening. Until now, that is.
The next S60's production styling has been captured by spy photographers, and the new duds follow the styling themes laid out by the recent XC60. The front end is smoother and more chiseled at the same time, and the bodysides pick up a character line where the current car wears a smooth radius. We think it looks good, it's a nice evolution of the original S60's handsome and well-proven styling, and should make Volvo a more attractive purchase when Ford eventually relents and admits it's for sale. Follow the source to see the new S60 in full. Thanks for the tip, Casey!
[Source: Straightline, Photo: Brenda Priddy & Co.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
inteller 11:01AM (9/09/2009)
The 280hp 3.0 option makes me think that there will be an R version. But growing to take on the 5 series? Fail.
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The Joker 11:08AM (9/09/2009)
Well, it has to distance itself from the S40...
Paul 11:10AM (9/09/2009)
It is not growing to take on the 5 series - the whole point is that it will stay the same size as the 3 has grown and it will take on the 3.
The S40 isn't long for this world.
British_Rover 11:45AM (9/09/2009)
This is probably the last year for the S40 and the V50.
Giel 11:06AM (9/09/2009)
DO WANT.
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JDM Life 11:07AM (9/09/2009)
The second pics make the profile of the car and the overall car look great. I love its low stance.
The new Volvos seem to be over designed but this seems simple and I like simple and clean looking cars (JDM YO !) lol. Any who I love how they designed the rear glass with its straight look.
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Kent Pribbernow 11:09AM (9/09/2009)
I think I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese! I really thinks so!
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Paul 11:11AM (9/09/2009)
I admit to being a Volvo fanboy but i was wavering for a while.
This has me back in the fold.
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zamafir 11:15AM (9/09/2009)
yup, a lot better proportions than the c30 revision
Luis 11:11AM (9/09/2009)
Very nice. Volvo still makes good looking cars, too bad they don't sell well.
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retsel 8:38PM (9/09/2009)
Nice... 4 doors coupe... but the ass end of a Civic... :-)
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Red 11:22AM (9/09/2009)
I thought it was just me who thought that. It's not really a bad thing, but from that angle it looks a lot like one.
izorro 12:39PM (9/09/2009)
Agreed
Pete 11:20AM (9/09/2009)
Looks pretty good, but I can't stand the stupid "accents" that have arrived on all the new Volvos, they look terrible in silver and do nothing for overall appearance, think XC70. Plus, like Ford, their badges have grown way out of proportion. What happened to subtle design cues and branding?
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larry raines 11:27AM (9/09/2009)
now the famous Volvo beltline "shelf" dips in the middle. me no like.
the front end looks over designed, like they started out with an ok idea (angular elements) and kept filing away champhering every.....single....crease...and adding more and more - it is just too busy now.
I bet it will get a dinner plate sized logo now, just like the C30 "update".
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Serge 11:27AM (9/09/2009)
Looks sleek... definitely better than the version it replaces. I like it; however, it looks a bit too much like an Opel Insignia from the front 3/4 view..? Anyone else think so?
http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/363357,16554/2009-Opel-Insignia_photo.aspx
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Epyx 11:32AM (9/09/2009)
My first thought as well.
Taglane 6:38PM (9/09/2009)
Damn the Insignia is just too sexy.
But yeah I agree.
Rev Junkie 11:28AM (9/09/2009)
That's nice, but the article says the S60 is an example of "long in the tooth" cars. The prime example of this is not Volvo, but Ford's Panther platform. Now THAT'S old. Fred Flintstone's car was on the Panther Platform, and the first known ad for the Ford LTD Crown Victoria was found on a cave wall in France. The predecessor to the Panther platform was called the Sabertooth Tiger, that's how old those cars are!
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Epyx 11:31AM (9/09/2009)
I like it and think it looks great but it doesn't look like a Volvo anymore. Apply the appropriate badging and this could be a car from any supplier. Some may find that a move in the right direction but others may not. Much more generic looking than Volvo's of yore, yet much sexier and less hipster. However, all cars are starting to look similar so this is not limited to Volvo. Still sad when Jag, Volvo, and Saab dismiss iconic styling cues for a clean slate direction, but I understand the need to adapt and change. Who is next Porsche? I hope not.
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