First Drive: 2012 Volvo S60 T5 FWD

by Stuart Fowle, Photos by the Author

Jun 10, 2011 - 12:45:55 PM

We’ve given the 2011 Volvo S60 its fair share of ink since we first drove it in Portugal in June of last year and each time, we’ve come away so happy we’ve decided to test one for a full year. But until now, we’d only driven the hot T6 AWD model. That’s the one that gets our hearts racing, but it isn’t the car that’s going to be flowing the quickest out of dealerships. No, that’ll be the base T5 model with front-wheel drive; especially while Volvo’s advertising $299 a month lease deals. Maybe it's time we start talking about that one.

The T5 under the S60’s hood isn’t quite the same one that we’ve loved for years now. It’s still a 2.5-liter inline five, but it uses a new aluminum block and new reinforced connecting rods, pistons, and piston rings to produce 250 horsepower — the most for any T5 except the last-generation S60R — and 266 lb-ft of torque. There’s a catch to that figure though, because in gears two through six, an overboost feature kicks torque up to 295 lb-ft in ten-second spurts. Thanks to that, it’ll hit 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, quicker than much of the base model competition and only a second slower than the more potent S60 T6. At the same time, the S60 T5 hits the all-important 30 mpg mark for highway driving, though city economy is just 20 mpg.

On-paper specs are one thing though, and driving performance is another. And our past experiences with front-drive T5 models have us concerned about those dreaded two words: torque steer. We’re pleasantly surprised to find that the S60 suffers very little from that problem despite the heavy helping of torque available at as low as 1800 rpm. Wheelspin is a bigger issue, but only because we’re used to a Haldex making the S60’s launches a foot-straight-to-the-floor affair. A touch of finesse allows the T5 to take off with no tire noise, only the bubbly sounds of the turbo-five doing its thing. We suspect that despite a weight gain, an all-wheel drive T5 coming next year will sneak closer to the T6’s 0-60 mph time.



Once underway, the T5 is a hoot to drive. According to Volvo, dropping one cylinder and two drive wheels cuts the S60’s weight from 3812 pounds down to an impressive 3548 pounds, a shocking number considering the brand’s emphasis on stout safety structures. Turn-in feels more lively in the lighter S60, and it is more fun to toss through flowing corners. We say “flowing” because when the corners get tighter or the surface gets wet, as it did for us on our drive around Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, this front-driver isn’t as talented at powering out of corners. Again, a bit of finesse is required. But as far as power goes, the T5 doesn’t lose much on its big brother.
Outside of the powertrain, the standard T5 does give up a few features on the T6 model. The car’s dynamic chassis, which uses stiffer bushings and standard 18-inch wheels in place of 17s, becomes an option, while standard leather is instead offered as part of a $1900 premium package. Our staff opinions of Volvo’s T-Tec material differ, but our test car has the premium package so we can’t pass judgment about its execution in the S60.

Beyond a few tiny things like a compass in the mirror, the standard equipment lists of the two S60s are almost identical, as are the packages and stand-alone options. Add the leather with a premium pack and 18-inch wheels with the dynamic pack, and a T5 can be almost indiscernible from the more expensive twin for a total price as low as $34,650. It’s pretty respectable, the way Volvo doesn’t go out of its way to lure buyers into the more expensive model. We will, however, remain upset that the amazing premium audio system has to be paired up with navigation. Why can’t that be an $800 stand-alone?

The S60 T6 AWD remains the best choice for anyone looking for a Volvo that thrills, but for the majority of buyers that will likely opt for the base engine and front-wheel drive, we’re happy to report the T5 won’t disappoint. It’s still a solid performer and better yet, one heck of a deal.