Background to the Volvo S60R V70R

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Source: Volvo Car Corporation.

Launch
The Volvo S60 R and V70 R were launched in 2002 as the second-generation R range. They are modern high-performance cars with enhanced turbo power, intelligent four-wheel drive and an active chassis that adjusts the car’s characteristics at lightning speed to suit current driving conditions. The new R generation offers performance and driving pleasure of high calibre – without compromising on safety. On the contrary, the Volvo S60 R and V70 R are an almost improbable combination of inviting high-performance sports car and practical, safe family transport.

Design
Volvo S60 R: four-door sedan. Volvo V70 R: five-door estate car. The design of the R models is based on the standard versions of the Volvo S60 and V70. The bodywork has been complemented with a number of details to create a sportier stance and contribute to enhanced performance and reassuring roadgoing properties. Ground clearance has been lowered to boost the cars’ sporty nature.

The Volvo S60 R and V70 R have a more rounded front than the standard models, with a smaller, lower grille and a more effective spoiler. A rear spoiler and twin stainless steel exhaust tailpipes give added R-emphasis to the rear of the car. The five-spoke aluminium wheels are specially designed to match the large R-marked brake calipers of these special cars. Under the bonnet, the theme continues with blue and aluminium-coloured details unique to the R range and a prominent R logotype. The interior too has been designed to give the right R character, with unique leather upholstery, special leather trim and brushed aluminium details. The steering wheel and instruments are specific to the R models. The fixed interior trim panels are dark grey in all variants. The front seats are particularly deeply sculpted and feature extra side support.

Safety
Volvo Cars adopts a holistic view of safety that encompasses both Preventive and Protective safety. Preventive safety is closely linked to the car’s driving properties. The Volvo S60 R and V70 R are built to be able to be pushed to the limit without the driver risking losing control over the car. The body and chassis have been designed and dimensioned so the car behaves in a consistent and predictable way whatever the situation (see also under "Powertrain and Chassis"). Volvo Cars has developed various information systems designed to help the driver while on the move. One such system is IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System) which for instance delays incoming phone calls in complex traffic situations that require the driver’s undivided attention.

Protective safety is structured around a network consisting of exterior and interior safety systems that interact with one another to reduce the risk of occupant injury in a collision. The exterior systems have the task of distributing and absorbing incoming collision forces so that the passenger compartment remains as intact and undamaged as possible. The body is therefore built in the form of a metal cage where all the components interact with one another to ensure controlled deformation.

The interior safety systems aim to keep the passengers securely in place and also to reduce the risk of serious injury. In order to provide the most effective protection possible, Volvo Cars has developed a number of in-house systems, such as WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System), SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) and IC (Inflatable Curtain). All are fitted as standard in the Volvo S60 R and V70 R. What is more, all five seats are equipped with three-point inertia-reel seat belts, belt pre-tensioners and head restraints. The highest possible safety requires that all the car’s occupants always use their seat belts.

Powertrain and chassis
The powertrain in the Volvo S60 R and V70 R has been fine-honed to deliver high performance and instant response. The five-cylinder transversely installed engine has a somewhat larger displacement and a larger turbocharger compared with the turbo engine in the T5 models. What is more, the R-engine has twin intercoolers. It delivers 300 hp and offers a massive 400 Nm of torque (with a manual gearbox). The transmissions – six-speed manual and five-speed automatic – have been built to suit the high power output and the enthusiastic driving style that these cars invite. The powertrain offers exceptional performance – the Volvo S60 R accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds while the V70 R reaches the same speed in 5.9 seconds (with a manual gearbox).

The Volvo S60 R and V70 R have a lower chassis height compared with Volvo’s other AWD (All-Wheel Drive) models. This gives a lower centre of gravity and increased driving stability.

The chassis system – the Active Performance Chassis – is a high-tech masterpiece. It consists of electronically controlled All-Wheel Drive and an active chassis utilising Four-C technology. Four-C is a highly advanced electronically controlled damper system that calculates the body’s movements and adjusts damper firmness to suit the current driving conditions. Each damper responds individually, about 500 times a second.

What is more, at just the touch of a button, the driver can alter the car’s driving manners to suit conditions and personal taste. Three alternative chassis settings are programmed into the system: Comfort, Sport, and Advanced Sport. The latter gives the car driving properties of pure racing-car calibre. The car hugs the road surface like it’s glued to it – and always with maximum road grip. The active chassis and AWD system interact with Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) to provide optimum traction whatever the conditions, allied to extremely high driving safety.

The environment
The Volvo S60 R and V70 R are designed and equipped to impact as little as possible on the global environment and to offer a clean and healthy interior climate. A petrol engine with low internal friction, efficient combustion and advanced exhaust filtration technology results in low emissions.

The engine can be optionally specified with a catalytic radiator coating – PremAir®. This system converts harmful ground-level ozone into pure oxygen as the car drives. Its benefits are greatest in dense city traffic and in strong sunlight. Volvo’s IAQS (Interior Air Quality System) effectively reduces the amount of particles, pollen, gases and certain unpleasant odours in the air entering the cabin. All the textiles and leather upholsteries are certified according to ÖKO-TEX 100, an international standard that ensures that the interior trim is free from allergy-producing and hazardous substances.

Manufacturing
The Volvo S60 R and V70 R are made at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium.

Production in previous years:
2003 8,890 cars
2004 4,773 cars

Technical specifications
Drive Permanent four-wheel drive with electronically controlled hydraulic clutch - All-Wheel Drive with Instant Traction.
Chassis Front suspension with MacPherson spring struts. Independent Multilink rear axle.
Active chassis with Four-C - with three alternative chassis settings.
DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) is standard.

Dimensions mm:
Length 4637
Width 1813
Height 1431
Track, front/rear 1557/1557
Wheelbase 2715
Aerodynamic coefficient, Cd 0.29
Frontal area m2 2.19

Engine Petrol 
Configuration Displacement cc Power kW/hp Torque Nm
R I5 2521 220/300 400

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