No S60R, just an S60 R-design? Don't you think that's splitting hairs a little too fine?
R-design suspension description:
"Lowered by 15 mm, the R-Design sport chassis is perceptibly and materially different. The anti-roll bars, the rear dampers (monotube concept), 15% stiffer springs, quicker steering, a front strut brace and more have been sports-tuned for more road hugging control."
Plus a 75hp bump in power and 90lb-ft bump in torque and numerous other options, like dual HID headlights, over the base model... It's a lot more than colored stitching and a hood scoop. I've never seen a hood scoop on a Volvo now that I think of it...
I wasn't trying to be an authority on the matter...I did google the new R-design, and all I was reading was that it had a powerful engine...no mention of the upgraded, adjustable suspension of old or any other tweaks. I don't think it has the adjustable bit, but it is upgraded. My apologies; I just didn't get enough info. Also Car and Driver sucks...I guess I already knew that; but skimming their writeup didn't give me the above info.
The first use of R-design was on the C30. And now that I think about it, I didn't even see a production model...I thought I did. It was sitting at Volvo NA HQ up in New Jersey. The instructors laughed about it, as did the techs that were there for training. I
distinctly remember a pasted-on hoodscoop that looked like it came from Autozone, but I can't find a pic of that, now, so I guess that wasn't the production car.
The main thing, though, was that they started using the 'R design' thing to basically say, 'hey, it's sportier
looking.' But there was no performance difference...just a regular T5 car. I thought they were probably continuing that trend...it's a nice surprise that they're not. I don't see why they don't just go back to calling it an 'S60R' proper, though.
More important- holy shit a lot of Volvo support here. I knew the new S60 was well-liked, but it seems like the overwhelming favorite. I wish I had gotten the chance to drive one...is it really that much sportier than the bigger cars that got released first? I mean, I drove the new gen XC/V70, and kind of assumed the S60 would be similar, as it was with the previous gen.
Conclusions:
Volvo more luxurious and powerful than BMW or G37. But I'd wager the latter two still spank it in the handling department.
Toyota/Honda offerings a bit lackluster.
Cheap Audis aren't very worthwhile.
ATS is a bit of a wildcard- who's actually gotten to drive one? I'm still not sure what kind of segment that things aimed at. 328i competitor (turbo 4 and a stiff ride)?
OP- come back, we're almost done picking out your car for you. :awe:
...or you could, you know, participate rather than listen to us window shop.