Preview: 2010 Volvo S60

2010 Volvo S60

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• What is it? A stylish four-door with a Swedish twist
• The basics: Coupe-like styling and efficient powertrains
• On sale: In the second half of next year, with a public showing and more details at the Geneva Motor Show
• Price: $32,000-plus (est.)

Volvo is busy preparing its entry to the mid-size sedan market in the shape of the upcoming 2010 S60, which will feature radical new styling picked up by the automaker’s concept of the same name that was revealed at this year’s Detroit Auto Show.

Today we have the first images of the new sedan, which is set to make its world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show next March.

2010 Volvo S60

Enlarge Photo

At first glance, the new S60 features definite coupe-like proportions, accompanied by strong shoulders, which together give it a look that is very similar to the design of the Jaguar XF. There are, however, plenty of unique elements such as the traditional Volvo grille and sculptured headlamps.

No details about the car’s powertrain have been revealed but expect one of the options to be a new 1.6-liter gasoline unit with turbocharging and direct-injection technologies. Previewed in concept form, the tiny mill develops a peak output of 180 horsepower and a fuel economy rating of 47 mpg.

It wouldn’t be a Volvo without some kind of advanced safety feature and the S60 won’t disappoint. One of the new features will be Volvo’s Pedestrian Detection technology--a safety feature that can detect pedestrians in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver does not react in time.

Production of the sporty sedan model will start early next summer at Volvo’s plant in Ghent, Belgium. No word on any U.S. release date but more details should be released closer to next March’s Geneva event.

[Volvo]