Volvo updates six models

Mid-life refresh for almost the entire Volvo range announced in one go.

In an ambitious move Volvo has updated not one, not two but six models in one go. The facelifted S60, V60, XC60, V70, XC70 and S80 models will be officially unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show but CompleteCar.ie has been granted exclusive access to the models before then.

On average each model has received 4,000 updates - not that you are likely to notice much of them though. The facelifts draw inspiration from the style introduced by the V40 to give a family look across the range.

The front end of all models has been tweaked to give a bolder look including larger grilles with chrome tipped horizontal bars employed to visually widen the cars. All models now sport LED DRLs, moved from their position on the nose (in the case of the previous S60) down to the lower grille. LEDs have also been employed in the head- and taillights.

The S60 and V60 receive newly designed bumpers front and rear to heighten their stance as the 'sporty' Swede while the flagship S80 has had its washer nozzles (both for the windscreen and headlights) mounted flush to give a cleaner appearance.

Corner Traction Control - a torque vectoring system - is now fitted as standard to the XC60 while the S60 will now be offered with the optional Lower Sport Chassis on all models - having previously been reserved for R-Design cars.

Cabins have been updated across the range with Scottish hide (apparently better than that Welsh stuff) being used for leather interiors and the Adaptive Digital Display from the V40 now featuring on all cars. Models equipped with an automatic transmission are now available with steering wheel mounted paddle shifts for the first time while 19-inch wheels are available on all models bar the V60 Plug-In Hybrid that has to make do with 18s.

These changes come on top of recent powertrain improvements that have seen the most efficient S60 D2 achieving emissions of just 106g/km.

The only models not to receive updates were the one-year old V40 and the aging XC90, which will likely be the first car to use Volvo's new SPA modular platform.

Published on: February 20, 2013