[sidindica]

Since this was just a short 15 mins test drive, I'll just point the key highlights of the car, not going into the specs/ equipment and options available.

Just after finishing my meeting yesterday, taken a chance to drive the entry level volvo S 60 and it was more of experiancing the car rather than going deep into its features. Since I already drove the D5 at launch long time back, the D3 did come as a surprise package to me, esp. at the basic price of rs. 25.5 lakh, ex showroom chandigarh. Loading it with options will jack up the price, obviously.

Key specs:
1984 cc I-5 CRDI turbodiesel
163 hp@3500 rpm
400 Nm torque@1500-2750 rpm
6 speed tiptronic transmission

Highlights:

• positioned to compete with the 320D, A4 2.0 TDI, passat 2.0 TDI and C 220 CDI, the price seems pretty competitive. But put the brand into question and then tables may turn in favour of the teutons.

• The torque is ADDICTIVE. The gearbox works like a charm, only hesitent at 4th and 5th gears. Ratios seem well suited to this motor.

• Motor sounds gruffy at idle, but refinement improves when the car gathers speed.

• Extremely driveable at city, thanks to the turbo spooling as low as 1400-1600 rpms. Peak torque's 70 percent is available at this range.

• Potential strength of the car=above average fuel effiicency. Thrashing with AC still returned 15.9 kpl, with the best 17.8 kpl as per MID.

• Torque steer evident, but handles better than the nose heavy passat and A4. 17" wheels make the car glued to the road.

• Ride quality is surprisingly good. Flat and consistent over most of the tolerable surfaces. GC above average.

• Resale value suspect. Too few dealers and brand image issues, though known for safety. Base car well equipped with all the essential safety features.

• I quite liked the optimum amount of space and comfort inside. Though the fixed headrests sounds like stone age. Quality inside and out feels top notch.

For more details, it can be better to get in touch with your volvo dealer since I didnt bother to get into too much details considering the restricted time I had.

To sum up: As a product, I actually liked the car's talents and its overall combination of comfort, space, pace and grace makes it my favourite in the entry luxury value oriented diesel sedan segment.

Enjoy the rest of the pics

[shankar.balan]

Very nice. I wish Volvo would open a dealership here in Bangalore too! I would love to test drive an XC60.

[elantracrdi05]

Lovely pics Sidindica! I was tempted to try this car but the battle was lost before it started because of the (a) low no. of dealers (b) as you said suspect resale value and (c) BMW

Having said that, it is probably one of the more handsome lookers of our time. If anyone said Volvo makes boxy cars, this one alone is enough to shut the critics up. I simply love it!

[.anshuman]

Thanks for posting the drive experience Sid! You have missed out the best things about this car, the superb Interiors which scream Quality and the safety gadgetry. And dark side of this car- Poor ground clearance and Lack of a spare wheel(no it does not have Runflats, just Radial tires but no stepney).

Being a CBU it may not be as cheap in some states with OTR prices as the low Ex-Showroom price might make you believe. But it is very good deal in states like Haryana where all cars are taxed(Road tax) only based value not on basis of CBU or CKD.