Videos: 2011 Volvo S60 gets driven, animated and crashed
2011 Volvo S60 – Click above for high-res image gallery
The 2011 Volvo S60 is ready for its close-up at next month's Geneva Motor Show, but before the shindig in Switzerland kicks off, Volvo has released a slew of videos showing off the automaker's newest midsizer.
Aside from some quiet B-roll and a cheesy rock soundtrack, Volvo has demonstrations of its new Pedestrian Detection and Full Auto Brake system, which can identify a pedestrian that's 31 inches or taller through the use of a front-mounted radar unit and mirror cameras. If it detects an imminent collision, the system applies the brakes and brings the S60 to a halt. The animations after the jump get into the nitty gritty, along with a shakedown of the system in Paris from the camera's point-of-view and a crash test of the S60. More details coming from Geneva in less than a month.
Gallery: 2011 Volvo S60
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tungsten 9:09PM (2/09/2010)
I'm not a big fan of Volvo but this one looks impressive actually
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Willie 8:20PM (2/09/2010)
I love the looks of this car, especially the interior. I'll take one in red.
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theedude 8:58PM (2/09/2010)
Yes, I'm really loving the 300HP AWD also.
AutoCritical 8:32PM (2/09/2010)
In my opinion, the most exciting view is from the rear of the car - more so in the concept. There are bold lines that flow from the nameplate through to the rear lamp then down to the rear fascia, intersecting the line rear fascia that flows to the body side. I’ve never seen anything like it.
I did a comparison with the concept sketch, concept model and production version at http://bit.ly/5FghE4
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ambientFLIER 9:05PM (2/09/2010)
Wow...and not in a good way. The taillights are just weird, and that lower bumper piece looks like something that came off a subaru station wagon. And the front styling...YUCK.
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Jub 9:05PM (2/09/2010)
Looks absolutely superb.
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Tungsten 11:31PM (2/09/2010)
Is it just me or is the gear shifter is way too close to the center console?
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nighttime 11:48PM (2/09/2010)
I guess when it's in park.
Rick 9:41AM (2/10/2010)
Look at the Volt, it's shifter practically lives in the center console. I think it's just a space saver method.
NA2R 9:38PM (2/09/2010)
I know I will get voted down on this, but...
S60's side-profile is remarkably similar to the Insignia
For a second there I thought GM bought Volvo
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Jesse 9:46PM (2/09/2010)
That dashboard is hugely disappointing, especially considering the elegance of the S80, the originality of the S40 predecessors, and the concept S60. The cyclops center vent just off center from the CD slot is plain awkward. There is no reason that space could not have included two vents, instead of one surrounded by a bunch of black plastic just for the hazard light button.
Why is the dashboard black even with the creme interior? Both the S40 and S80 use a a taupe upper dash to compliment the creme/tan interior choices, so why the jarring contrast in the S60? Or if it going to be a big black mass, then break it up with some metal or wood trim and use black carpeting like the new 5-series.
The flowing bands of brushed aluminum are so thoughtfully executed on the doors and center console (taken right from the XC60). Yet none of this design language made it to the upper dash. It looks like a swath of black plastic with randomly cutout holes for vents, screens, and buttons.
I used to love Volvo interiors for their Scandinavian design restraint and interesting materials choices, but this is just a lame take on what Audi, BMW, Acura, and Cadillac do better. Oh, and how does one control the navigation? Is it a touch screen or just controlled from the steering wheel? In an age of iDrive and MMS, not having an easy interface that driver and passenger can use is inexcusable. Didn't Volvo learn from the criticism of the XC60's nav system last year?
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Tungsten 11:32PM (2/09/2010)
Its still decent, the only complaint I have is that the shifter may have been placed way too close to the controls.
Philthy 9:50PM (2/09/2010)
I'm probably not the first one to say this, but pedestrian avoidance is one of those things that shouldn't be computer assisted. People are stupid enough about driving slowly down suburban roads around parked cars that a kid could jump out from behind.
Telling them their car will do it for them will only make them lazier, and the car can only bring you to a stop before hitting someone if you're travelling slow enough in the first place.
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Luis 7:44AM (2/10/2010)
The first child's life it saves will make it worthwhile.
jmanlives 1:48PM (2/10/2010)
Does having a seat belt make you drive faster? Does stability control in your car make you take turns faster? Does a five star safety rating make you as feel that a Smart is as safe as a Tahoe?
Doubt it. This won't change the way the average person drives. End of story.
alex 9:57PM (2/09/2010)
love volvo!!!
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NYTechie 10:39PM (2/09/2010)
I love the outside, but the interior! I can't stand that awful single vent below the sat/nav screen and the one to the right of the screen as well--its such bad design and totally ruins the ingenuity of the floating console.
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steve 11:19PM (2/09/2010)
Aesthetically, the car looks awesome. My only quibble is that the back looks a lot like a Civic ...
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jmc8387 11:25PM (2/09/2010)
Overall I like it. Front and side profiles look nice. But I do see what your saying about the rear-end looking like a Civic. Thats a big turnoff in my book. My sister-in-law has a 2006 S60. I couldn't believe how small these cars actually are until I tried to sit in the back seat. Had to move the front seat way up b/c I couldn't get my leg in to sit down. Hopefully this new model has much more interior space.
o2k 11:58PM (2/09/2010)
in the first vid, who sings the song?
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