Bitche Original When the gentle sea breeze blows over Gothenburg, you can feel the magic of this land. Perhaps the locals have long been accustomed to it, but for nearly a century, Hasselblad and Volvo have always firmly carried the glory and splendor of this city. For some people, Hasselblad is no longer used to record the years, but serves as a bond of human emotions in quiet time; while for others, Volvo plays such a role.
The protagonist of this issue: Volvo S60 2023 B5 Zhiya Sports Edition
The charm of "glittering silver"
The paint color called "Flash Silver Grey" makes me 50% more fond of this S60, and the other 50% is due to the absence of chrome trim strips. Although it is not the first time it has appeared on the S60, it is said without hesitation that no other color can express Volvo's frigidity as viscerally as it does. I thought this was what I felt, but I found that many people had already agreed this way.
In this world that is constantly involved with sports, the S60's indifferent appearance in the face of noise is even more attractive. I actually don’t care too much whether it is equipped with a sports-looking package, although that would seem to run counter to its sensible temperament, but maybe it is also a desirable choice to change the taste to embrace the world.
The legend about "Thor's Hammer" has become a thing of the past. Since the XC90, for nearly 8 years, this LED daytime running light has become the unique and iconic symbol of all Volvo models. It doesn't look like anything special, but it is unforgettable.
The elegant short front overhang design is not just exclusive to rear-wheel drive cars, it is also the magic of this S60. In this age that is accustomed to lengthening, it still retains its original purity, but sometimes, this purity is always inseparable from the helplessness of rear passengers.
There are not many brands that can perfectly integrate style and design elements, and Volvo is one of them. Thanks to the size and positioning of the model, the S60 is better at grasping the details of the rear than the S90.
Rational good partner
The tone of the interior is mainly brought about by rationality, with relatively few emotional places, and there is also some tough atmosphere. Compared with the current mainstream behavior that caters to the market, Volvo designers still adhere to their understanding of "family members", and getting along comfortably may be the first priority.
The regular shape of the steering wheel is not easy to arouse something called "driving passion", but it is a pity that the grip is not bad, and there is naturally no need for things like shift paddles.
The cold metal trim found its place in the ideas of the Nordics, and it also helped this S60 explore the direction of modern urban civilization. It has to be said that in terms of proficiency in handling the cabin atmosphere, the performance of luxury brands is indeed more convincing.
After the built-in native Google Android system, the car system looks much better, and its functionality has also been improved. The Amap that comes standard on all series has become a great boon to owners of 23 S60 models, and Volvo’s old friend Apple CarPlay is still on the list.
Oris Crystal comes from Sweden and was founded in 1898. Volvo is not stingy about using it. It can be seen on every model of its models. Engineers added a light bulb at the bottom of the shift lever to make it look more crystal clear.
In order to make the journey no longer monotonous, 14 Harman Kardon speakers are distributed around the cabin. In addition, Volvo also provides Bowers & Wilkins audio options, allowing those car owners to pay for more discerning ears.
Nappa leather has not become the dominant seat. The use of environmentally friendly fabrics effectively reminds people that this is a Volvo. The towering side wings and leg rests try their best to ensure that the driver will not slide easily, and the little thoughts revealed by the Swedes from time to time also playfully remind people that this is a Volvo.
Reliable transportation tool
After the addition of the 48V mild hybrid system, the power logo of the fuel version S60 has also been changed from the prefix "T" to the prefix "B", but the changes to the vehicle go beyond this. The tester told me that the vehicle can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds. Compared with the "T" model, this is indeed a great improvement. In addition, the noise when the vehicle starts is also much smaller. To be honest, many cars do not start and stop so quietly.
The double-wishbone front suspension that flaunts performance is rare on front-wheel drive cars. In addition, the aluminum alloy material also appears to be quite high-end, and the ambition of the S60 is exposed in this way. The suspension performance is competent and worthy of the price of this car, and compared with the slightly lagging gearbox and tires, it can be called an "top student".
The fuel version of the 23 S60 models has been replaced with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, but what is more interesting is that only the B5 Zhiya sports version still uses the 8AT gearbox, which is the one in my hand. The gearbox upshifts actively and performs normally. The intrusion at low speeds seems inappropriate, but it cannot be ruled out that it is because I am more sensitive.
Michelin's e·PRIMACY tires have their merits. They can bring a quieter cabin, more comfortable shock absorption, and perhaps lower fuel consumption to the S60, but that's where it ends. Although the vehicle's brakesThe foot feel is good, but after all, grip is not the strong point of this set of tires. In addition, the 1.7t vehicle weight is undoubtedly a big burden, which makes it difficult for the 100-0km/h braking performance to fall within 41m.
Attachment: acceleration and braking curves
0-100km/h acceleration
Time 7.12s
100-0km/h braking
Distance 41.03m
Write it at the end
I don’t really like to figure out a car’s personality, because sometimes cars, like people, are elusive. In the days when Volvo was still called the Regal, its appearance was as easy to remember as it is now. When I was young, I had no idea what its owner looked like, and to this day, I still don’t know what kind of person would buy a Volvo.
Therefore, I tried hard to immerse myself in the life of an S60 owner, even though it was only a short period of three days. I found that I was happy to drive it just about anywhere, cruising quietly without fear of sudden provocation, which wasn't a bad feeling, but it wasn't exactly missable either.
Then one day, a silver-gray S60 drove past my eyes. It looked quite uncontested.
Volvo ranks 84th in the car popularity list. Follow Bitauto App for more information.
