Volvo fills in the detail on the S60

Volvo showed the first pictures of its forthcoming second-generation S60 before Christmas – now it's telling us more about what's under the new car's attractively-styled bodywork.

One notable point is the very wide range of engine and transmission options that will be on offer. Three engines will be available from the start – a three-litre petrol straight six and 2.4 litre and 2.0 litre five-cylinder diesels. The 2.0 litre diesel is smaller than previous five-cylinder Volvo engines, and to some extent goes against the trend for manufacturers to cut cylinders as they downsize engines. These choices will later be joined by 2.0 and 1.6 litre petrol engines, and there will be an eco-oriented DRIVe version fitted with a 1.6 litre diesel engine, capable of a claimed 65.7mpg on official combined cycle tests.

The three-litre petrol engine version has four-wheel drive paired with a conventional six-speed automatic transmission – what Volvo calls Geartronic. The smaller petrol engines will be available either with a six-speed manual or a DSG-style self-shifting gearbox (Powertronic in Volvo-speak); the DRIVe will only be available as a manual.

The S60 will also be available with all of the latest Volvo safety systems, such as Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake, and City Safety, which are designed to brake the car automatically in response to hazards, as well as technology designed to alert drivers to dangers such as the onset of fatigue and the presence of cars in blind spots.

The first S60s are expected to be delivered to customers in early summer this year.