Live thread: One week with a 2024 Volvo V60 Recharge

Know how we have comfort foods? With Volvo, I have comfort controls, especially for the mirrors. 

Duke said:

rothwem said:

Also, does it bug anyone else that the calipers are on the front of the rotors?  I don't know why that irks me, but for some reason, I see rotors front as a "cheap car" thing.  

There's no engineering advantage to putting the calipers at any particular spot around the rotor.  The placement can be made entirely for packaging and clearance reasons.

So, no, I don't correlate caliper placement with design quality.

 

Mass centralization! 

In reply to rothwem :

That’s better than mass hysteria. 

In reply to rothwem :

Under the most abstractly technical of technicalities, I suppose you're correct.

Let me know when the measurable effect of that exceeds rounding error.

I suspect caliper placement is a result of a rear steer rack. 

I'm good with mild hybrids. You get the energy harvesting of an electric and some extra boost when you need it. The battery doesn't need to be big. Both powertrains get used to their potential.

Plug-ins make less sense as the electric range goes up. The longer the electric range, the less the ICE gets used and the more expensive the battery pack is. It makes less and less sense as you're now investing in a big battery and an ICE that will see little use. 

As for the wagon, when my parents were shopping for their last car it had to be a wagon. SUVs are too much of a climb for Mom to get into. Dad would have loved a Volvo wagon but they were always just that much too expensive. So Mom's rolling in a bright red VW Sportwagen. 

In reply to Keith Tanner : 

I like the long range plug-in hybrids. Best of both worlds. The new Mercedes PHEV have the range of 10 yr old EVs. Not everyone can afford or have room for three cars, one for each use. EV for the week, ICE for the weekend road trips. Yes expensive, yes heavy.  Always a trade off.

Re: this Volvo, what happens if you never charge? Still get EV juice at times right?

"Volvo V60 Recharge Polestar Engineered"

What's it's full name? =P

I've got a cayenne plug in hybrid. It only gets 15 miles on electric- but that means school drop off for me. I'm getting 40mph on each tank. Even better- I don't worry about getting gas in the mornings. 

Newer ones get even more electric range!

To me, this is the best of both worlds. 

te72 said:

"Volvo V60 Recharge Polestar Engineered"

 

What's it's full name? =P

grover said:

 Even better- I don't worry about getting gas in the mornings. 

Exactly why I've been eyeing plug-ins. I love the idea of dropping the kid off or getting groceries without using any gas.

I have thought of selling our 2008 BMW 5 series touring and buying the Volvo.  I wish BMW would import a hybrid wagon but it looks like we will get an M5 touring, which will be out of my price range and not what I am looking for.  Will I miss the great steering, handling and that lovely inline six? How supportive and comfortable are the seats?  I am curious what mileage you get.  Selling a BMW for a Volvo; have I given up the will to live??   David  - I know that film shop on US 1.   I see that Volvo Daytona has 3 wagons in stock.   

I have found the Volvo’s seats to be perfect: plenty of bolster, plenty of support. No issues after an hour behind the wheel. Would gladly drive far in this one. 

I like the chassis manners, too, as it does feel sporty. Maybe not BMW M sporty but pretty darn sporty. It doesn’t feel heavy like an EV. 

Plenty of thrust. No issues with the eight-speed transmission: quick shifts and doesn’t seem to get confused. 

And, yup, my film’s there now. Hope to see scans Monday or Tuesday. 

In reply to Zink11 :

And will report back on mileage. 

Duke said:

rothwem said:

Also, does it bug anyone else that the calipers are on the front of the rotors?  I don't know why that irks me, but for some reason, I see rotors front as a "cheap car" thing.  

There's no [compelling] engineering advantage to putting the calipers at any particular spot around the rotor.  The placement can be made entirely for packaging and clearance reasons.

So, no, I don't correlate caliper placement with design quality.

 

There is a steering feel effect where having the calipers to the rear is a benefit.  It's important enough that Mazda and Hyundai (yes, Hyundai*) felt it worth the packaging issues to mount the calipers on the rear with a rear steering setup.

Probably makes less of a difference with the relatively light aluminum calipers.

* - how many reading this remember that advertising campaign?

Man, that's a good looking car.  And it looks like Volvo Overseas Delivery is back for 2024 and one of the perks used to be you could order your car in colors not available for normal US market cars (not sure if that will be available).

However, color pallet in Sweden isn't much better:

But man... that car looks good. 

Side note: Sweden also gets the V90 version of this car. 

But sadly doesn't get more color choices.

Does this one come with the trick Öhlins suspension?

I test drove the previous version with another long gibberish name V60 T8 Polestar somethingoranother.  It was amazing, I was ready to give up my Outback, but thankfully for my wallet, I didn't fit.  I think the battery pack or something was restricting seat height. It was beautiful, fast everywhere in the rev range, handled fantastic for a car that size.

I'd be curious on the 6'+ headroom on the new model, and if I was just too stupid to adjust those seats.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

Well, I stand corrected, I guess.

wait, so its a twincharged hybrid? 

sounds awesome. looks awesome.  sounds expensive AF to maintain out of warranty lol...

irish44j (Forum Supporter) said:

wait, so its a twincharged hybrid? 

sounds awesome. looks awesome.  sounds expensive AF to maintain out of warranty lol...

My dad has a recent non-hybrid S60. It's a wonderful car and if I needed a car I would buy one. Especially this one.

But not without a warrantee <shudder>...

I didn't get much time with this car, but I had it long enough for a quick trip around the block and, golly. The thing just oozes competence, and is somehow whisper quiet without feeling disconnected. It seems like the kind of car you could drive very fast, for very long periods of time, across a country where people wear turtlenecks unironically.

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