Volvo S60

What is it?
Volvo S60

What's special about it?
The launch of the S60 at the Paris Auto Show is all part of Volvo's master plan. As stated by its "Volvo for Life" slogan, the Swedish automaker wants to provide you with a car for every stage of your existence. There's the "affordable" S40 and V40 for young singles and couples, the V70 Cross Country for the well-heeled, adventurous 40-year-olds, and the luxurious S80 for those who have reached a more sedate and elegant age. Now, with the new S60, says the automaker, there's a Volvo for affluent 30-somethings too. The marque wants you in its cars from college graduation to your final graduation.

In terms of size, the S60 falls between the S40 and the outgoing S70. Volvo says the new sedan is meant to evoke the spirit of the sporty C70 Coupe, except with four doors and five seats. In reality, it looks a lot like a scaled-down S80. Actually, it is built on the same platform as the S80, but is shorter than both those cars. Despite this, it has a wheelbase that is about 2 inches longer than the old S70 and a chassis that is, according to Volvo, twice as torsionally stiff. Both factors should provide for excellent ride and handling.

There are five engines available, all of them inline five-cylinder powerplants, ranging from a 2.4-liter, 168-horsepower base engine to a 2.3-liter high-pressure turbo that pumps out 247 horsepower. Buyers can also choose between a manual or automatic five-speed transmission. Of course, the S60 will be equipped with Volvo's legendary safety features, including dual front airbags and side-impact airbags as well as inflatable curtains for rear passengers - all of which should help ensure you survive to buy your next Volvo.

Why should you care?
The S60 will go on sale in the U.S. this October or November, priced between the S40 and S80. The introduction of the S60 provides a Volvo that many buyers may have been waiting for, but thought didn't previously exist: that is, a midsized, near-luxury, safety-conscious sedan that offers an alternative to BMW's 3 Series, the Mercedes C-Class and other brands in that segment.
-- Neil Dunlop