[GrecianVolvo]

No hint on SPA XC90 weight ;0)

It will be lighter.

 

[XC60 RD]

It will be lighter.

Around 4400lbs (kerb) then. NICE! I'll take that all day everyday.
With proposed 400hp+ hybrid drive, should make things interesting ;0)

 

[reward2]

Thanks for the write up and the look to what is in the future for Volvo. I think this may be the future of engines and drivetrains of many car companies. It sounds like you are happy with the new 4 cylinder platform. Be that as it may, introducing a new drive line: engine, transmission, and few four wheel drive system all at once, I am glad we decided to buy a 2013 XC60 T6 with a proven track record. It looks as if we will have that vehicle for a while.

 

[sexy60]

I know this is an XC60 forum but I wanted to share my thoughts on the new Drive-e engine/transmission and S/S technology. I was able to drive the 2015 V60 T5 2.0L in a variety of conditions (hills, brisk acceleration, in-town and highway).

All I can say is wow. I never expected that level of refinement from a 4 cylinder super/turbo charged motor. I'm not going to say velvety smooth like a V8, but it definitely had a premium feel to it. The acceleration was more than adequate (coming from '06 S60R, '07 S80 V8 and '13 XC60 T6). Going from standstill to 45mph is quite brisk. The transition from supercharger to turbocharger is completely seamless and smooth. Next is the transmission, again velvety smooth and makes the 6 speed in my XC60 feel lethargic and archaic. Shifts were quick but not jerky.

Regarding the S/S technology, it is not intrusive at all. This is coming from someone who's driven a Prius for 3+ years. Toyota is the leader in hybrid technology, so their transition from EV to ICE to EV is second to none. The V60's S/S fires right up when you lift off the brake. I haven't tested BMW or MB's S/S technologies but coming from the Prius', this is on par but more impressive because it doesn't have the initial propulsion of the EV motor right off the bat like the Prius has.

Overall, I wasn't expecting much from this 2.0L turbocharged 4 cylinder but I was impressed. The 8 speed transmission probably had a lot to do with that as well. I'm sure the 302hp T5 motor is a lot more fun to drive, but in the V60 FWD, the 240hp T5 is more than adequate.

 

[377Z]

There will not be a Drive-E AWD offer in the U.S. during calendar year 2014. The XC90 will arrive around March of 2015 as a 2016 model. It will be the first Drive-E AWD model for the U.S. The legacy 5-cylinder T5 will continue as the AWD S/V60 offer.

Will the current XC90 soldier on for the 2015 model year (I hope)?

 

[GrecianVolvo]

I know this is an XC60 forum but I wanted to share my thoughts on the new Drive-e engine/transmission and S/S technology. I was able to drive the 2015 V60 T5 2.0L in a variety of conditions (hills, brisk acceleration, in-town and highway).

All I can say is wow. I never expected that level of refinement from a 4 cylinder super/turbo charged motor. I'm not going to say velvety smooth like a V8, but it definitely had a premium feel to it. The acceleration was more than adequate (coming from '06 S60R, '07 S80 V8 and '13 XC60 T6). Going from standstill to 45mph is quite brisk. The transition from supercharger to turbocharger is completely seamless and smooth. Next is the transmission, again velvety smooth and makes the 6 speed in my XC60 feel lethargic and archaic. Shifts were quick but not jerky.

Regarding the S/S technology, it is not intrusive at all. This is coming from someone who's driven a Prius for 3+ years. Toyota is the leader in hybrid technology, so their transition from EV to ICE to EV is second to none. The V60's S/S fires right up when you lift off the brake. I haven't tested BMW or MB's S/S technologies but coming from the Prius', this is on par but more impressive because it doesn't have the initial propulsion of the EV motor right off the bat like the Prius has.

Overall, I wasn't expecting much from this 2.0L turbocharged 4 cylinder but I was impressed. The 8 speed transmission probably had a lot to do with that as well. I'm sure the 302hp T5 motor is a lot more fun to drive, but in the V60 FWD, the 240hp T5 is more than adequate.

Thanks for the write up. It is, indeed, a very well put together powertrain.

FYI: you drove the T5, which is only turbocharged, and not the T6 which has the combination of supercharger and turbocharger.

 

[sexy60]

Thanks for the write up. It is, indeed, a very well put together powertrain.

FYI: you drove the T5, which is only turbocharged, and not the T6 which has the combination of supercharger and turbocharger.

Ah, thanks for the correction. Nonetheless, great integration of the 8 speed transmission and new engine. Too bad Volvo didn't have this 2 years ago. A few coworkers have since traded their aging S60, V70 and XC90s for other carmakers.

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Ah, thanks for the correction. Nonetheless, great integration of the 8 speed transmission and new engine. Too bad Volvo didn't have this 2 years ago. A few coworkers have since traded their aging S60, V70 and XC90s for other carmakers.

Yes, it is unfortunate that we have lost a lot of our owners. We just need to get them back with our product blitz!

 

[XC60 RD]

Yes, it is unfortunate that we have lost a lot of our owners. We just need to get them back with our product blitz!

WHEN......WHEN.....WHEN.......please tell corporate to SH....T already or get off the effffin pot!

 

[GrecianVolvo]

WHEN......WHEN.....WHEN.......please tell corporate to SH....T already or get off the effffin pot!

Easy now...

What do you think the team in Sweden has been doing for the past 3 years? There will be a lot of exciting products that are going to hit in the next few years...you already saw what these new engines can do...XC90 is next and then...

 

[XC60 RD]

Easy now...

What do you think the team in Sweden has been doing for the past 3 years? There will be a lot of exciting products that are going to hit in the next few years...you already saw what these new engines can do...XC90 is next and then...

Sorry got carried away. The proof is in the pudding, hope you're right ;0)

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Sorry got carried away. The proof is in the pudding, hope you're right ;0)

The pudding has already been made. It is just chilling in the fridge, before it's served.

 

[volvobuff]

The pudding has already been made. It is just chilling in the fridge, before it's served.

More than likely it is just sitting outdoors on a lot. It is pretty cold in Sweden this time of year...

 

[GrecianVolvo]

More than likely it is just sitting outdoors on a lot. It is pretty cold in Sweden this time of year...

I just notice your ordered car! Very nice combination of color and features. Given where you live, I am surprised you did not go with the full Climate package. Even here in California, I really like the heated steering wheel but what I like the most is the heated windshield; it works wonderfully in defogging it.

 

[XC60 RD]

The pudding has already been made. It is just chilling in the fridge, before it's served.

It's high time they serve it then ;0)

 

[JE Jr]

l but what I like the most is the heated windshield; it works wonderfully in defogging it.

I know that there are different opinions on that one. Im one of those that really don't like it...
I really can't stand the decreased visibility it makes in dark and wet weather with a halo-effect around each light source.

Although, I have friends going in the same car as me that didn't even notice at all until I told them. I think this is an option that must be tried in car before ordering it.

 

[GrecianVolvo]

I know that there are different opinions on that one. Im one of those that really don't like it...
I really can't stand the decreased visibility it makes in dark and wet weather with a halo-effect around each light source.

Although, I have friends going in the same car as me that didn't even notice at all until I told them. I think this is an option that must be tried in car before ordering it.

I agree with your latter paragraph and appreciate your point in the former.

When I first got my current company car, I did not notice until at night when cars were coming from the opposite lane. Even then, I did not center my line of vision toward "halo" effect and I got used to it within a day or two. I do not see it as decreased visibility, just a little different. It is one of those things that can either bother you during the rest of your car ownership or something you just get used to it.

I agree that it is something that one should test before plunking down the money and purchase it.

 

[Stomp]

I agree with your latter paragraph and appreciate your point in the former.

When I first got my current company car, I did not notice until at night when cars were coming from the opposite lane. Even then, I did not center my line of vision toward "halo" effect and I got used to it within a day or two. I do not see it as decreased visibility, just a little different. It is one of those things that can either bother you during the rest of your car ownership or something you just get used to it.

I agree that it is something that one should test before plunking down the money and purchase it.

Grecian - where in SoCal are you? Do you work for a dealership or corporate? I'm in the OC area and hope to do Euro delivery on the XC90 plug-in when available. You've been a great resource to this board and have earned my business if its possible to work through you. A guy down the street from me has 3 Volvos in his driveway and I always assume it's somebody on here...

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Grecian - where in SoCal are you? Do you work for a dealership or corporate? I'm in the OC area and hope to do Euro delivery on the XC90 plug-in when available. You've been a great resource to this board and have earned my business if its possible to work through you. A guy down the street from me has 3 Volvos in his driveway and I always assume it's somebody on here...

Hi. I am VCNA's Area Manager for part of LA, OC, SD and HI.

PM me and I will be glad to direct you to the right person. I will give you my direct email address and we can stay in touch until you are ready.

 

[volvobuff]

I just notice your ordered car! Very nice combination of color and features. Given where you live, I am surprised you did not go with the full Climate package. Even here in California, I really like the heated steering wheel but what I like the most is the heated windshield; it works wonderfully in defogging it.

I would certainly have preferred to have gone with the full Climate Package, the Urbane Wood trim, and the 18" Sport Package as well, but with all the other packages and options, I was already well over the MRM and the payments were escalating appreciably higher than I would have preferred, so I had to prune my wish list by roughly $3.5K. However, since both of our Volvos are garaged in winter, the full Climate Package isn't quite as necessary for us as it would have been if the cars sat outdoors in winter weather. A third and final factor is that I feel the full Climate Package is highly overpriced, especially in relationship to e.g. the Tech Package, which is a bargain by comparison. It would have been nice to have the heated steering wheel, however. In any event, we live in a microclimate where, thanks to the Gulf Stream, the winters are not quite as severe as the rest of New England. That is why we can get by with FWD, rather than the AWD that is desirable elsewhere in these parts. Besides, I am looking to being a Drive-E early adopter.

On a related issue, once I got the lease factors last week, I did some detailed statistical analysis on current VCNA leases vs. my last five leases with US Bank. Taking into account fluctuating interest rates, resale prices, and other cost factors, I determined that VCFS leases are neither more nor less advantageous for the customer than those from US Bank on a purely financial basis, contrary to what you stated a few months ago. There may be some other advantages, such as easier qualification or more flexibility. Certain more customers are now opting to lease rather than buy. My dealer confirmed that the take rate on leases is up from 10% to about 40% during the past year.

One interesting new wrinkle is that VCFS allows the customer to amortize the Lease Inception Fee (and accompanying sales tax) by rolling it into the Cap Cost if desired. This can be a useful feature, but customers should be aware that they will thereby also be paying interest on the Inception Fee. In my case, it increased the total lease payments by about $30 over the 36 months life of the lease, or increased monthly payments by $.84. As with so many other aspects of buying or leasing a car, there is no free lunch. Not even Swedish meatballs.