Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

2011 Volvo S60 : uncompromising quality and sportiness elevated to new levels

|
Obtain the best financial rate for your car loan at Automobile En DirectTecnic
Khatir Soltani
Entirely new Infotainment system
The all-new S60 also gets a new Infotainment system where information from the audio unit, navigation system, mobile phone and other functions is presented on a five-inch or seven-inch colour screen in the upper part of the centre console. The screen has a high position to make it easy for the driver to keep their eyes on the road. All the functions can be controlled from the steering wheel or via controls located directly below the colour screen. In addition there is a separate remote control for the passenger.

"We have focused firmly on the development of an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) solution that is easy to handle and that does not distract the driver from the main task of driving. The idea behind the technology is that a high percentage of the users will be able to handle the basic functions without having to refer to the instruction manual," says Tomas Ahlborg, Project Director for the all-new S60.

Volvo Cars has conducted several test sessions to evaluate customer responses to various HMI alternatives.

(Photo: Volvo)

"We are one of the few manufacturers to give the driver access to all infotainment functions via controls in the steering wheel," says Ahlborg. "When it comes to the layout of the centre stack, most of the people in the tests felt that our solution with rotating controls close to the screen is better than a touch-screen for handling the audio system, navigation and phone with minimum possible distraction."

Integrated navigation with voice control is available as an option, as is the possibility of using Bluetooth to connect the driver's own mobile phone to the car's infotainment system.

One of the first cars with MultEQ from Audyssey Laboratories

The audio experience in the all-new S60 has been enhanced compared with previous models.

"Our most advanced system, Premium Sound, has a class-D digital 5x130W amplifier with circuits from Sweden's Anaview, Dolby Digital in combination with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround, the award-winning MultEQ from Audyssey Laboratories and 12 loudspeakers. All this creates an audio experience of absolute world class," says Ahlborg.

The Volvo S60 is one of the first car models in the world to use Audyssey Laboratories MultEQ technology, the standard for room equalization in the home and professional theatre markets. MultEQ removes distortion caused by the car cabin's acoustics enabling crisp, clear sound with improved soundstage for everyone in the car. Volvo Cars' audio experts conduct the tuning for all audio systems in-house.

Dolby Digital gives perfect concert quality
The all-new S60 offers Dolby Digital processing that enables the listener to experience compelling surround sound, ensuring excellent audio quality for any Dolby Digital soundtrack. This results in perfect concert quality sound when listening to live-recorded music. Of course the system also features Dolby Pro Logic II Surround that transforms ordinary stereo content into rich, full-range surround sound.

In order to further contribute to the best possible individual audio perception, Premium Sound has a special adjustment function. The audio experience can be optimised in three different ways - for the best possible enjoyment in the driver's seat, the two front seats or the rear seat. The system can play DVDs and CDs with music in MP3, AAC or WMA formats well as AVI and Video Div-X. The system also supports Bluetooth audio streaming (A2DP). AUX is standard for all audio levels and USB is standard from the High Performance level for hooking up other equipment, such as a portable MP3 player, iPods (from Generation 3), iPod Touch and iPhone. From the High Performance Multimedia level, USB is also supporting Video DivX,

Clean Zone Interior gives enhanced comfort
The Electronic Climate Control (ECC) system offers automatic control of both temperature and ventilation. The all-new S60 can be equipped with Interior Air Quality System (IAQS) which prevents particles and unpleasant odours from entering the cabin. To offer highly sensitive passengers even better climate comfort, the system has also been equipped with Clean Zone Interior, a system based on ECC and IAQS. When the car is unlocked using the remote control, the passenger compartment is automatically ventilated if the outdoor temperature exceeds 10 degrees Celsius.

Easily accessible storage space is an important part of interior comfort and convenience. The all-new S60 has a storage compartment behind the centre stack and another in the centre console armrest, while in the door pockets there is space for books, maps and soft-drink bottles and cans. Both the front and rear seat occupants have seat pockets within easy reach. The rear seat splits 40/60 and the trunk opening has been made 107 mm wider than in the previous-generation S60.

"The interior of the all-new S60 is all about innovative design in two areas: form and technology. The design is characterised by sporty freshness down to the smallest detail. The technological aspect includes all those smart solutions that contribute to a driving experience unlike that of any other Volvo - from collision avoidance safety and comfort systems to infotainment and audio excellence of absolute world class," says Ahlborg.




photo:Volvo Canada
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada