The 2023 Volvo S60 sedan and V60 Cross Country wagon have been updated for the next model year, with first Australian arrivals due around July 2022.
The changes applied to create the revised S60, V60 and V60 Cross Country ranges – of which only the S60 and V60 ‘CC’ are coming to Australia – are relatively minor, limited to minor exterior detailing changes, new infotainment software and a new transmission for some European-market models.
Exterior changes are limited largely to mild revisions to the front bumper – with Swedish buyers able to pick from a chrome-detailed ‘Plus’ variant, or blacked-out ‘Ultimate’ grade, with a sportier shape – and a new rear bumper with concealed exhaust outlets.
There’s also a new 20-inch alloy wheel design for the Recharge plug-in hybrid variant – not sold in Australia – that’s effectively a six-spoke version of the wheel fitted to the 2023 XC40 and C40 Recharge electric cars.
Mirroring the updated XC40 and new C40 ranges, the updated S60 and V60 line-ups have ditched the Momentum, Inscription and R-Design styling packs previously available, opting for the aforementioned ‘Plus’ and ‘Ultimate’ model grades (as well as Polestar Engineered) overseas.
Inside, the S60 and V60 ranges gain the Android Automotive-based infotainment system debuted in the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric – and subsequently added to other Volvos – running on a carry-over 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen.
While this system gains Google functionality across app store, voice assistant and mapping services, it loses the Apple CarPlay functionality offered with the old in-house, all-Volvo infotainment software
There also appears to be a new look and feel for the digital instrument cluster software – mirroring the electric XC40 and C40 – plus a new wool blend upholstery option.
Australian S60 and V60 Cross Country models will retain the ‘B5 AWD’ powertrain available today, pairing a 183kW/350Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive.
Both vehicles are capable of claimed 6.5-second 0-100km/h sprint times, with fuel consumption claims rated at 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres for the S60 B5 AWD, or 7.4L/100km for the V60 Cross Country.
Less potent B3 and B4 mild-hybrids in Europe gain a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission – replacing the existing eight-speed torque-converter automatic – though these models aren’t bound for Australia.
The single-variant B5 AWD ranges available in Australia are significant departures from those offered at the launch of the current-generation cars in 2019, when three model grades and an optional T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain could be specified – before the axe fell upon them in 2020 and 2021.
The low-riding ‘standard’ V60 wagon was killed off in favour of the high-riding V60 Cross Country in mid-2021 – and there are no current plans for it to return.
The updated 2023 Volvo S60 sedan and V60 Cross Country wagon are due to reach Australia as Model Year 2023 vehicles, translating to first arrivals from July 2022 onwards.
Local pricing and specifications will be confirmed closer to launch.
Keyword: 2023 Volvo S60, V60 Cross Country updates revealed, due in Australia this July