Sweden's largest automaker, grouped now beneath the corporate umbrella of Ford Motor Company, for 2006 adds equipment to cars in six alphanumeric classes. In Volvo nomenclature, S signifies a sedan, V denotes a five-door wagon and XC means all-wheel-drive (AWD) outdoor versatility vehicle.

Platforms use two-digit numbers to denote size in descending order from the Volvo SUV at 90 to mid-size 80 sedans, 70 series wagons and 60 series sedans plus compact-class 50 sports wagons and 40 sports sedans.

S60 sedans use the P2 platform of S80 and V70 yet measure inches less in wheelbase and body length. This year there are four models with S60 2.5T FWD, S60 2.5T AWD, S60 T5 FWD and racy S60 R AWD. 2.5T models come with Volvo's 2.5-liter light-pressure turbo for 208 hp through a five-speed automatic with optional Geartronic mode. T5 stocks a 2.4-liter high-pressure turbo rated at 257 hp with a six-speed manual or optional five-speed Geartronic automatic. And powerful S60 R has the 300-hp 2.5-liter turbo with twin inter-coolers plus new "Instant Traction" AWD and shifting by a close-ratio six-speed manual or optional new six-speed Geartronic automatic. For the R car, a new sport body package brings color-coordinated front and rear spoilers plus lower body side sills, while the premium package plants a premium audio kit in the dash with CD changer for six discs.

Volvo's compact-class cars - S40 for the four-door sports sedan and V50 for a five-door wagon - measure smaller than other Volvos but contain perform-ance and safety hardware that define larger models. The cabin in Volvo's compacts is airy with ample personal room and comfort gear aboard plus sport bucket seats.

Volvo outfits the compacts with two versions of an in-line-five engine. Entry point is the 2.4i with a naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter plant scored to 168 hp. Transmission is a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic with Geartronic shift mode. The T5 gets Volvo's 2.5-liter low-pressure turbo for 218 hp with five-speed Geartronic automatic or optional six-speed manual. T5 AWD models gain the new "Instant Traction" AWD system by Haldex. A sport package for 2006 brings 17-inch alloy wheels, a dynamic sport suspension, and (exclusively for 2.4i) aluminum trim in the cabin plus a leather gearshift knob. (...BACK)