Swift Swede

Sometimes even the best of us like to be a little bad. So why should cars be any different?

That’s what the chassis experts at Volvo were thinking when they took a car synonymous with quality performance and mixed in some extra forbidden spice.

Following in the tracks of the all-new Volvo S60 and V60, the new Volvo S60 R-Design is even sportier, more dynamic and exciting enough to put some naughty delight in anyone’s commute.

The seductive secret lies in refining the chassis to ensure the car responds eagerly to the touch.

“Refining a chassis is a bit like being an athlete looking to break new records. Once you’ve beaten one record, you’re immediately focused on the next,” said Stefan Sällqvist, manager of vehicle dynamics at Volvo Cars. “The driving experience should be so connected and compact that it feels as though the car has been milled out of a single block of aluminium.”

To bring that philosophy to life in the all-new S60 and V60, Sällqvist and his team sharpened the steering, the agility and the solid overall impression. Then the chassis team turned their attention to the details, adding thrill upon thrill to an already stimulating ride.

“The challenge was to boost the dynamics without making the chassis feel raw,” Sällqvist said. “If the chassis is too firm, even smooth tarmac can feel bumpy. We wanted a distinct yet plush feel.”

They started by fitting a strut brace — a bar that ties together the suspension strut towers — under the bonnet. It’s a proven way to stiffen up the body structure and thus amp up the driving experience. “The car now has a more solid feel to it, which in turn helps make the steering feel even more responsive with a distinctive contact with the road,” Sällqvist said.

The front and rear springs have been shortened by 15 millimeters to give the car more attitude. And spring stiffness has been upped by 15% compared with the dynamic chassis in the S60. “This makes the car easier to control and reduces any tendency to lurch. This is an area that requires true fingertip sensitivity in order to find the right blend of dynamics and comfort,” Sällqvist said. “We’ve invested a whole lot of time and effort in finding the ideal balance.”

R-Design can be combined with a wide range of engines — including a high-performance turbo version with 304 horsepower.

It will have even reserved types uttering, “Nice chassis.”