The plastic-clad hellraiser
Add a big Diesel engine to a small car, tweak it with a turbo, raise the suspension a wee bit, clad it in a bit of plastic and voila – a spunky softroader is born. Volvo, what have you done?
Volvo
Tested: Volvo XC60 D4
I recently had the pleasure of test-driving Volvo’s face-lifted XC60 with a new engine. Not being a huge fan of mummy-mobiles (as so many of these medium to large SUV types can be called), I was naturally skeptical about my latest ride. However, I can honestly state that my flag is still flying for Volvo – I found the XC60 every bit as enjoyable to drive as their V and S range (I’ve not had the pleasure of any of the C-types yet).
Tested: Volvo S60 D4
The party trick
Up to now, I’ve only ever tested the Volvo S60 with a petrol engine. Just like the rest of their range, Volvo’s medium-sized executive sedan is available with a choice between six engines, two gearboxes, front- or all-wheel-drive and four spec levels. This right here is the middle-child D4 turbo-diesel.
Tested: Volvo V60 T5
The bigger treat
No more than two decades ago, if you wanted to buy a family car you would choose between an estate (station wagon) or a Kombi (microbus). Thanks to the advent of SUV’s, cross-overs and niche cars, those days have long gone. I find this a real pity as I’ve just spent some time with Volvo’s excellent V60.
Comparison: Lexus ES250 vs. Volvo S60 T5
Comparative Test
Two non-German mid-size luxury sedans are evaluated by two of our journos. Each vehicle may receive a maximum of five (5 = excellent) and a minimum of one (1=terrible) stars per category from each tester. Both added their opinions below these ratings; tester two in italics.
Tested: Volvo S60 T5
The charming cliché
“Are you testing every Volvo on the market?” asks a friend when presented with my latest test car, a Volvo S60. The sarcastic undertone of his enquiry carried a sprinkling of truth though… with so many new Swedish models on the market I feel duty-bound to test as many as possible and report back to you.
Tested: Volvo V60 D4
To many people, the name Volvo conjures up images of solid, staid, somewhat pricey reliability and safety. The ubiquitous family estate car stuffed with irritable children, or the somewhat unimaginative but comfortable sedan being driven by a harried businessman. Few people would have associated words like dynamic, cutting edge design, innovation, funky, cool or chic with a Volvo. But that has all changed and Volvo’s new 60 series is an affirmation of this impressive change of association.
Geskiedenis: Oos-Afrika Safari
Elizabeth ll, Land Rovers en die Oos-Afrika Safari
Dit is vanjaar sestig jaar wat koningin Elizabeth ll as Britse vorstin regeer en ons het al heelwat oor hierdie mylpaal te hore en te siene gekry; vanaf BBC televisie tot stories in Die Huisgenoot met foto’s oor hierdie merkwaardige vrou en natuurlik ook die troonopvolgers met hulle huwelike, hoogtepunte en laagtepunte.
Tested: Volvo V40 T5 R-Design
The blue shriek
Today I bring you more inside news. The Volvo V40 and its many models is the car I’ve reviewed most in 2013. Happily, the V40 is one of my favourite cars right now and I’ll gladly review every single one. The topic of this review is the top-of-the-line, muscular T5 R-Design.
Launched: Volvo 60 Series [2013]
The crazy love
People. That’s who Volvo alleges their cars are made for. Until dogs or potted plants learn to drive, it may be a painfully obvious statement but, together with their hashphrase #MadeForYou, it does evoke warm fuzziness that this isn’t just another cold-hearted maker of mass transport.