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Back in January this year, Volvo Car Malaysia launched the CKD variants of the V60 T4 and T5 for the local market. The V60 is basically a station wagon version of the S60 sedan with larger trunk space and versatility. With the V60 sportswagon, cargo space for shopping bags will never be an issue again! Shopping for furniture at IKEA? Not a problem.

Before hand, I am not a Volvo enthusiast but not until recently. Without the presence of V60 T3 in Malaysia, the Volvo V60 T4 is the entry range of the V60 line-up and follows by the T5.

Also, the Volvo V60 T5 has recently been awarded the “Best Performing Family Car” at the Allianz Asian Auto-VCA Industry Award 2012. But this doesn’t meaning the smaller T4 is not one of the “best”.

Though the V60 T4 is the entry range, but I felt that Volvo never neglect this model car with its standard safety features, performance and handling. The Volvo V60 T4 is packed with a 1.6-litre GTDi engine mated with a 6-speed PowerShift Dual-Clutch auto transmission. The 1.6-litre turbocharged powerplant output a maximum power of 180hp @ 5,700rpm with 240Nm of maximum torque from 1,600rpm to 5,000rpm. Technically, the PowerShift Dual-Clutch auto transmission is a wet clutch and it was designed with gearbox specialist Getrag under the GETRAG FORD Transmissions joint venture.

Based on the specification, the maximum speed is up to 220km/h and the T4 station wagon takes 0-100km/h below 9.2 seconds. Although the car is turbocharged with a small capacity engine, there are barely any turbo lags and the engine is quite responsive on the station wagon’s body. The combined cycle of fuel consumption takes 7.5 litres per 100 km for the V60 T4 and emitting 173g/km of CO2.

We are unable to test on the maximum speed on the road due to legal limitation in Malaysia, unless we put the car in Sepang racetrack. However, I found folks in YouTube managed driving up to 220km/h on the Autobahn in Germany. Hence, I presumed it is a valid claim.

The Volvo V60 T4 fitted standard with 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/50 R17 tyres. Besides the Volvo XC60, the other newer Volvo’s model comes with a tyre sealant kit instead of a spare tyre.

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The Volvo V60 T5 has been awarded the “Best Performing Family Car” at the Allianz Asian Auto-VCA Industry Award 2012 held recently at The Saujana Kuala Lumpur. A total of 19 awards were given out this year, with Volvo competing against five other nominees.

The annual awards, which began in 2008, feature a panel of judges from the Asian Auto motoring magazine. The award evaluates and recognises the merits of vehicles in various categories. Judging criteria is based on a combination of design, comfort, safety, fuel efficiency, handling, performance, functionality, environmental requirements, driver satisfaction, after sales service and technical superiority.

Peter Johnson, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Volvo Car Asia said, “This award is testament to our “designed around you” philosophy, which is centered around understanding people and giving them a luxury experience that is a little more human-oriented, while at the same time anchored firmly on our heritage of building safe and dependable cars.”

The safety systems on the Volvo V60 T5 includes Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake while featuring Volvo’s award winning technology; City Safety feature that can reduce or entirely avoid a rear end impact when driving up to 30km/h and the world’s first Pedestrian Detection technology; the only system in the world that detects human silhouettes and triggers the brakes automatically if an accident is about to occur.

The Volvo V60 T5 also features the unique Corner Traction Control by Torque Vectoring which makes it possible for the driver to accelerate at a much higher speed while turning. Volvo is the only car brand outside the supercar segment with this offering.

Launched in Malaysia in January 2012 (read more about the launch here - 2012 Volvo V60 Launched in Malaysia), the V60 T5 engine has been designed for high performance without compromising on fuel consumption. This is made possible by Volvo’s cleverly designed gear system called Powershift.

The Volvo V60 T5 is available in five colours; Electric Silver, Ember Black, Ice White, Flamenco Red and Seashell. It is available nationwide and is priced at RM269,000.00. The Volvo V60 is also available in T4 engine variant, which retails at RM230,000.00.

Today, Volvo Car Malaysia launches the all-new 2012 Volvo V60 in Malaysia. There are 2 variants and both are also locally assembled, namely the T4 and the T5, which are priced at RM230,000 (V60 T4) and RM269,000 (V60 T5), both prices on-the-road without insurance. The V60 is fundamentally a station wagon version of the S60 sedan with extra space and flexibility.

The all-new 2012 Volvo V60 features a Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDi) engine which represents Volvo’s very latest direct injection technology on both T4 and T5 variants. The GTDi was developed to offer really low fuel consumption without compromising on performance or driving pleasure.

The Volvo V60 T5 comes with a 2.0-litre petrol engine with GTDi that pumps out a solid 240 hp @ 5,500rpm and 320 Nm of torque (from 1800rpm to 5000rpm). The T5 is capable to clock 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 230km/h.

On the other hand, the new T4 is a 1.6-litre petrol engine with GTDi that having 180hp @ 5,700rpm and a massive torque of 240 Nm from 1,600rpm to 5,000rpm. An on-demand overboost function further increases torque to a massive 270 Nm.  The T4 is capable to clock 0-100km/h in 9.2 seconds and a top speed of 220km/h. 

In Malaysia, both T4 and T5 engine are mated with a dual-clutch 6-speed Powershift automatic transmission for better local driving experience and fuel efficient. To be precise, the fuel consumption for the T4 is 7.5 litres per 100km and the T5 is slightly more which consumes 8.3 litres per 100km in combined driving cycle of cities and highways.

“This puts the T4 among the most powerful 1.6-litre engines in Malaysia currently,” said Mr. Peter Johnson, Volvo Car’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Asia Region, adding that “small, high-performance GTDi engines combined with our fuel efficient dual-clutch Powershift transmission are our bid to get more energy and efficiency out of smaller engines.”

The V60 is not left out with its world leading technology such as the Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake takes Volvo’s safety dedication yet another step towards the vision of building cars that do not get involved in accidents. 

In the field of comfort, there are features such as the optional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which automatically maintains a set gap to the vehicle in front. What is new is that the Adaptive Cruise Control operates at speeds below 30 km/h, all the way down to standstill.

The all-new Volvo V60 is being launched with a range of exterior colours selected with immense care to emphasize the model’s inspiring lines. Among the 5 colours available are the Electric Silver, Ember Black, Ice White, Seashell and Flamenco Red. 

Photo Gallery: 2012 Volvo V60 Malaysia

Photo Gallery: Volvo V60 Official Photos