Currently reading: Paris motor show 2010: Volvo S60/V60 R-Design
Volvo has revealed sporty R-Design variants of the new V60 and S60

Volvo has unveiled the R-Design versions of its V60 and S60 models at the Paris motor show.

The new variants feature a specially developed chassis and new styling cues, including a redesigned front valance, a new diffuser housing twin exhaust tailpipes and five-spoke 18in Diamond cut wheels.

See pics of Volvo S60 and V60 R-Design at the Paris motor show and the pre-show official images

Interior changes include special leather/textile upholstery available in off-black and ceramic light, or there's an all-black variant, both with contrasting stitching. There are sport seats and an R-Design steering wheel, gear selector, sports pedals and floor-mats.

To improve body stiffness, a strut brace has been fitted under the bonnet and monotube dampers have been fitted at the rear, which feature compression and return damping via the same valve.

Volvo says this new damper system “gives shorter, faster fluid flow, which in turn means the damper responds more quickly”.

The bushings with which the rear dampers are attached to the body are 20 per cent stiffer compared with the standard chassis in the S60 and V60. The front and rear springs have been shortened by 15mm and spring stiffness is 15 per cent higher.

The R-Design variants are available across the entire V60 and S60 range from the 2.0-litre D3 to the high-performance T6.

Andrew Papworth

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julianphillips 22 September 2010

Re: Hot Volvo S60 + V60 launched

Mine has a strut brace although I'm tempted to remove it!!

theonlydt 22 September 2010

Re: Hot Volvo S60 + V60 launched

bomb wrote:
This isn't really the launch of 'hot' versions of the S60 and V60 is it, Autocar? It's the launch of a new trim level. A trim level they've had for a few years now, too, their version of M Sport and S line etc.
The only thing is that generally their R-Design have been more about style (and rock hard suspension) than some of the changes made here - like the brace and monotube dampers.

bomb 22 September 2010

Re: Hot Volvo S60 + V60 launched

This isn't really the launch of 'hot' versions of the S60 and V60 is it, Autocar? It's the launch of a new trim level. A trim level they've had for a few years now, too, their version of M Sport and S line etc.