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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

Volvo Malaysia just launched it’s new flagship model – the new Volvo S60 . The all-new Volvo S60 was given the theme of Naughty for it’s marketing campaign to emphasize on it’s driving dynamic and the sporty elements of the new generation of Volvo S60.

Available in 2 variant here in Malaysia, the fully imported Volvo S60 are here with 3.0L T6 All Wheel Drive variant and 2.0L T5. Both variant are with turbocharged engines, the T6 model ( 3.0L engine) produces a stunning 304hp with 440Nm of torque that will enable the car to sprint to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds. The great result of this is also due to the  Volvo’s 2nd generation of 6-speed Geartronic transmission. As for the 2.0L T5 variant, it produces 240hp with 320Nm of torque ( pretty impressive from a 2.0L turbocharged engine), and this wil take you from 0 to 100km/h in  7.5 seconds flat.

* I urged you to hit the play button above to see what Volvo S60 can do ,if you haven’t.

Despite the All wheel drive system with instant traction available in the Volvo S60 T6 ( 3.0L) variant. It is comes with 3 switchable configuration for the Four-C chassis. Comfort, Sport and Advance for superb driving dynamics. The Volvo S60 has improved the steering and stiffer suspension and lower than any previous model. Volvo S60 is also the first sedan in the market that implemented with Advanced Stability Control that functions as an anti-skid feature. Not to forget Volvo S60, new corner traction control which used Torque vectoring that functions as when during a corner, the inner wheels are brakes intermittently while at the same time more power is transfer to the outer wheel to reduce understeer to minimum. This was demonstrated during our ride in the video with the Volvo S60, doing a quick run along the guided cons of roundabout.

Volvo manage to implement the whole new bold design on the S60. Getting away from the more safe design with the previous version of S60, it seems like the New Volvo S60 exterior and interior has been detailed and studied. The new coupe-ish roof line align all the way to the rear tail lights, presenting a sleek roofline for the car. Volvo did a brave move to turn the S60 to be naughty yet retaining the safe and luxury look.  The spilt headlamps ( like the Merc E-class) and a slide of the lights as the eye lid gives the Volvo S60 a whole new personality. The Volvo S60 is also fitted  aluminium like kits and rear diffuser to enhance the sportiness.  Not to forget the boot lid. The Volvo S60 T6 model is fitted with 18″ wheels with 235/40R profile , while the 2.0L T5 model is fitted with 17″ wheels with 215/50R profile tyres.

The Volvo S60 has implement a safety feature call Pedestrian Detection, the system basically are able to detect if there’s people walk on to the driveway and automatically brakes the car to complete stop if the driver does not react on time . If the Volvo S60 travelling speed is more than 35km/h, the S60 will do it;s best to reduce speed to minimal. Watch the Video Above for the demonstration. This is the world’s first production car to have this feature in place.

Along side with the Pedestrian Detection , Volvo’s City Safety also comes in place where by if the car infront of you is stop or slow down suddenly, the Volvo S60 is able to reduce to speed automatically with it’s detection system or yet again to complete full stop.

There’s also another feature ironically useful for Malaysians – Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Queue Assist. Basically allows the driver to sets the gap between to any vehicle/object infront, always maintaining a distance that the driver desire. This is perfect for Malaysian traffic jam where driver just need to steer the steering and let the car do the queue.

If you notice, from the above set of photos, cameras and sensors are everywhere on the Volvo S60. Other high-tech safety features included are,

• Collision Warning with Auto Brake (CWAB) – warns and automatically brakes if the car risks hitting another vehicle from behind
• Driver Alert Control (DAC) – detects and alerts tired and distracted drivers
• Lane Departure Warning – alerts the driver if the car runs across the lane markers without the turn indicator being used
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) – detects vehicles in the offset rear blind spot on both sides

The new Volvo S60 interior is something that we can’t missed too, navigation and infotainment system is display in the 7″ colour LCD screen in the centre of the console. Integrated buttons of the screen wheel allows driver to control the infotainment system. The 7″ LCD also enables the driver to activate the cars front or side cameras. The car also features a push start button and keyless entry. The quality of the interior is solid and very well built much like other continental cars. Specially for the Volvo S60 T6 model, there’s also a premium sound system with class-D digital 5x130W amplifier, Dolby Digital in combination with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround produces by 12 speakers. Volvo S60 also provides ample space comfortably  for rear passenger and boot space

Our verdict to the all-new Volvo S60 – superb handling, quick, high-tech and safe. Volvo has done a huge improvement  on this S60. Definitely a worth package for someone that wants some fun with a 4-door up market sedan. For those who can afford it, the 3.0L T6 S60 goes for RM348000 while 2.0L T5 sells for RM288000 , do put the all-new Volvo S60 into your consideration list when you plan to buy a car within that range.

Lastly, check out the 2 naughty all-new Volvo S60 doing some great driving, driven by 2 professional drivers.

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The 2011 Volvo S60 hasn’t launch over in Malaysia yet, but we expect this model able to attract more potential owners with her sharp and sporty looks.

In the other hand, Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv already has plans for its first modified version of the new sedan. These renderings show an S60 with sharper, more aggressive design elements, including new wheels, a new front fascia, and a rear diffuser that takes quad tailpipes.

Over the actual modification, Heico plans to rework the suspension and exhaust, as well as boosting output to around 330 horsepower.

Photo Gallery: Heico Sportiv Volvo S60