Volvo S60 Concept

Volvo S60 Concept
Volvo S60 Concept
Once the symbol of Volvo's move away from shoebox-themed design, the S60 has grown tired, running stylistically unchanged since its U.S. introduction in 2001, the year George W. Bush took office.

Now, as Barack Obama prepares to settle into the White House, Volvo offers a hint at what the next generation of its midsize sedan might look like.

CG Says...
Volvo had something great with the original S60, but a nine-year product cycle is death in this industry. With a new Mercedes E-Class on the way, and competition from cars like the Infiniti G37 (which didn't even exist when the S60 was introduced), reclaiming market share will be tough. Still, if a new S60 can match the 2001's astute blend of sexy styling and near-luxury value, shoppers might be swayed back into Volvo showrooms.
Looking for improved fuel economy, the S60 Concept uses a relatively tiny 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder plant in place of the current model's 2.4- and 2.5-liter plants.

Also featured is a pedestrian-detection system that automatically applies the brakes if someone is detected in the path of the car.

Look for a retail-ready, redesigned S60 sometime in 2010 as a 2011 model.

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