Performance Review: Volvo S60 2.5R - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volvo S60 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volvo S60 2.5R is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Volvo S60 has a 2521cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 5 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St5's includes the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo

The S60 shares its Petrol St5 engine configuration with the likes of the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo and the 2018 Audi TT RS 2.5 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the S60's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1520 kgs (3351 lbs) this makes the Volvo S60 2.5R in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Volvo S60 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 2521cc 20V St5 engine produces 296 bhp (220 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St5 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 5250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volvo S60 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1993 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S (219.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volvo S60.

The Volvo S60 has a Power to weight ratio of 194.7 bhp per ton and 194.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 S60 competing with the 1993 Porsche 968 3.0 Turbo S (219.7 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Lotus Elise 111R (219.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volvo S60 generating around 194.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X RS (219.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1972 Dodge Charger SE Hardtop 7.2L TorqueFlite (219.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the Volvo S60 2.5R as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs). This Volvo S60 2.5R is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the S60 and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265

When talking about the performance of the Volvo S60 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.58 secs @ 100.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 (13.52 secs), the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo Auto (13.53 secs), and the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35is (13.53 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Volvo S60 2.5R has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 S60 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Volvo S60 2.5R then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2003 S60 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volvo

Car Comparison