Volvo S60 Review
Published: 20th January 2005
Volvo S60 R
How It Drove - Ride/Handling
Volvo's philosophy behind the S60 R is to take advantage of the laws of physics and turn them into unadulterated fun and they have certainly achieved this.
The R model's chassis has a lowered suspension which improves aerodynamics and stability at speed. The body is based on the standard production model but is more rigid in torsion equalling a car that can be pushed to the limit without compromising driver pleasure.
It was the first series-produced car in the world equipped with Active Performance Chassis featuring FOUR-C Technology (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept). In simplistic terms this is an advanced electronically-controlled shock absorber system which continuously checks the movements and reactions of the car and automatically adapts the stiffness of the shock absorbers to the road surface.
This system can also be varied whilst on the move at the touch of a button and you have three different modes: Comfort, Sport and Advanced Sport. Comfort mode enables the car to absorb uneven road surfaces and offer a comfortable ride. In Sport mode the shock absorbers are set stiffer to reduce roll during harder cornering. In Advanced Sport mode the chassis is optimised for maximum road grip. This setting is only recommended on smooth tarmac and it didn't take long to find out why. The car behaves like a pure race car it literally makes your teeth chatter whilst driving and your love handles wobble. Sport is the default setting, when you switch off the engine and restart Sport is automatically selected. We tended to leave the vehicle in Sport mode as it offered the best all round driving experience.
Dynamic Cornering Control (DCC) a control function within the FOUR-C system interprets the rotation speed of the steering wheel and the speed and roll rate of the car it then calculates the optimal damping making the car more rigid and the steering more responsive. This system works more strongly in Sport and Advanced Sport modes. Active Yaw Control is part of the DCC system and minimises oversteer and understeer.
Speed-dependent steering is standard and works in conjunction with the FOUR-C Technology varying the assistance in each setting. Maximum assistance offered in Comfort mode and minimum in Advanced Sport mode providing the driver with increased feeling for the road.
The S60 R's AWD (All-Wheel Drive) system has been combined with the Four-C Technology and an electronically controlled coupling distributes the power in such as way that it is utilised optimally and offers the best acceleration on all surfaces.
Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) is standard on the S60 R. Sensors detect the rotation speed of each wheel, the steering angle and the directional behaviour of the car is registered. When the system detects the car may be losing control power is reduced and the brakes are applied to individual wheels to retain control.
On the whole the S60 R's ride is composed and it feels reassuringly stable at high speeds. The speed dependent steering is responsive although when pushed hard on more demanding 'B' roads it did let the overall ride down being a bit on the light side and lacking in feedback.
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