2011 Model Volvo S60 T5 Used Buy Guide
This is still a sleek looking Volvo sedan that has not aged much. This was Volvo’s new pride and joy when it was launched as a fully imported unit for a princely RM348k for the T6 and RM288k for the T5.
A few months later, Volvo reduced the selling prices to RM220k and RM255k because they were local assembling these cars in Shah Alam.
It had Volvo’s signature new look up front with a rear tail that looks like a scaled down XC60 SUV. The side view carried a sports coupe look and this alone has it ‘looking fresh’ in our used car market today.
This swede at launch sat in a very competitive segment where the Germans and some Japanese were nudging each other for market share.
This was the segment dominated by the C-Class, Passat CC, Audi A4 and 3-Series. There was of course the Alfa 159, Ford Mondeo, Infiniti M250 and the Lexus IS250, but their individual sales volumes were smallish in comparison.
The interior of the Volvo S60 was a five-seater car offering comfortable space for all its occupants (3 rear passengers had to be less than 5 feet 6 inches and NOT nasi bandar lovers.
Comfort features for the executive owner started with keyless entry, electric leather seats, in-dash navigation, high performance DVD multimedia system with a 4x40W amplifier and a Bluetooth hands free system. Volvo also adds an IAQS (Interior Air Quality System) to ensure good quality air circulated in the cabin of the S60.
The T5 S60 engine was shared with the XC60 SUV and the soon to arrive hot hatch V40. Drive dynamics and performance impressed us at the time with its power and handling from just a 2-litre turbo unit. The 240 bhp engine offered maximum torque of 320 Nm from just 1800 rpm all the way up to 5500 rpm.
This provided excellent lugging ability throughout the speed range. The torque curve was relatively gentle, resulting in a particularly comfortable driving experience and this worked in combination with Volvo’s automatic six-speed Powershift gearbox that has steering mounted shift handles for a sporty drive feel.
Straight line speed was very impressive and this S60 will reach 200km/h very quickly and has the ability to put some more powerful sedans to shame in its mid range trust. Volvo chassis experts chiseled out the driving experience in the new Volvo S60 with the same passion and uncompromising approach that characterised the development of the all-new XC60 SUV.
Using a dynamic chassis system which works with a flick of a switch on the dash allows the drover to choose between city traffic drive and a country road storming exercise that will have an enthusiasts driver smiling from ear to ear. Yes, this S60 is a sports sedan and has all the attributes of its German competitors. The result is an authentic sports sedan with driving properties that do the sporty lines full justice.
This Volvo S60 also features City Safety as standard. With City Safety, the car automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops or if he or she is driving too fast towards a stationary object. The system can lessen or even entirely avoid low-speed rear-end impacts at speeds up to 30 km/h. The other long list of safety features that were sold with the XC60 SUV like BLIS, ACC, DCIC, ADL and IDIS are also carried into this sedan giving it class best safety.
With all the necessary and more safety features, space for the small family in absolute comfort and an exciting drive dynamics, this could well be a good used car to look at today.
Prices start from a very low RM15k to just RM40k for the last generation model with E-Drive included. Replacement parts are not cheap …… like other European brands, but they last and if you are looking at long term ownership, its worth to invest in new preventive maintenance parts.
Plenty of USED units in our used car market and many one owner cars on sale. Today we have plenty of competent Volvo mechanics and best of all, this is NOT a hybrid or PHEV Volvo which are the units to avoid used.
2011 Volvo S60 T5 Specifications
Engine: 4-cylinders 16V Turbo
Power: 240bhp @ 5500rpm
Torque: 320Nm @ 1800-5000rpm
Capacity: 1999cc
Transmission: 6-speed Powershift semi-auto
Top Speed: 230km/h
0-100km/h: 7.5sces
NEW Selling Price: From RM220,000.00
