Currently reading: Next S60 for Detroit debut
Volvo will preview luxury saloon at Detroit show

Volvo has confirmed that the next S60 will be previewed by a concept at January’s Detroit Motor Show. The production car will go on sale in 2010.

The concept appears to confirm that Volvo is pressing ahead with the S60, which was postponed earlier this year after Volvo carried out a major rethink of its future model range. The current S60 has been on sale since 2000 and is already the oldest car in its segment.

Inside the concept, Volvo has used three pieces of Swedish crystal glass to form a centre console that extends from the dash to the rear seats, through the middle of the car.

Volvo design boss Steve Mattin said that the firm was looking at using crystal glass as a decorative material inside its cars.

“It does open up opportunities to use crystal on a smaller scale in the future,” he said. “We'll have to see how our customers respond.”Expect the production S60 to use the concept interior’s shapes and forms, especially the instrument pod and the central screen. Other details, such as grouping the start/stop controls near the gear selector are also likely to make production.

To be built at Volvo’s Ghent plant in Belgium (where the XC60 is made), the new S60 will give Volvo a rival for the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4. There will also be an estate version of this car for the first time, positioned between the V50 and V70.

Dan Stevens

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