CAR WARRIORS: 2014 VOLVO S60 SEDAN

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

2014 VOLVO S60 SEDAN

The Volvo S60’s exterior has changed considerably, which takes a disappointing turn toward the mainstream. When the current-generation S60 debuted, the shape flowing body and rolling, fly like eagle stlye look. Volvo has undone much of that, especially up front. Gone all metal heavy , sculpted headlights and separate running-light slashes; in their place are a pair of Chicklet-shaped, achingly horizontal headlights look like panther eyes a widened grille stuffed with an enlarged Volvo badge. The tweaks do add up to a front end that appears lower and wider, but the outgoing car’s imaginative styling has been dulled significantly.

Volvo did not alter the S60 rear much, although all models now come with integrated dual exhaust outlets. The taillights now get LED accents, too. Inside, there is a new headliner, plus new “silk metal” trim around the air vents and some secondary controls. The car’s roster of interior colors and wood trim has been updated, and front sport seats now are available. Speaking of sportiness, the S60 R-Design’s lowered sport suspension now is optional on non-R-Design S60s, as are paddle shifters.

The big news for the S60’s interior is technology—it has it. Well, more of it, anyway. First up, the infrared-based touch-screen infotainment setup Volvo previewed at the 2013 Consumer Electronics show is making its production appearance this year. Dubbed Sensus, the setup adapts Volvo’s existing seven-inch dashboard display to respond to touch inputs using infrared beams; break the beams and the system calculates where your “touch” was intended. We tried this system as retrofitted to a 2013 XC60 crossover at CES and found it to work well, and because inputs don’t rely on capacitive touch like normal touch screens, users can wear gloves. A USB 3G/4G card or occupants’ mobile phones provide the system with internet connectivity, which can be used to surf the web (when the car is parked) and access internet radio, Google maps and search, and weather info. Sensus also features a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot so multiple passengers can browse the internet.

Another leap forward in the tech department comes courtesy of a newly available digital gauge cluster. Volvo’s Adaptive Digital Display replaces the S60’s analog gauges with a reconfigurable TFT screen with three driver-selectable themes: Elegance, Eco, and Performance. Elegance provides the look of a traditional gauge cluster; Eco brings an eco meter and fuel-consumption info set against a green background; and Performance places a big tachometer front and center, with speed displayed digitally in its center, and a power meter set against a red background.

Since you can’t discuss any new Volvo product without discussing safety, here’s the 411 on the S60’s stuff designed to keep its occupants from needing to call 911. New for 2014 is Active High Beam Control, which allows drivers to keep the S60’s brights on at all times. When the system senses approaching traffic, it selectively shades the beam to avoid blinding other road users. Audi’s impending LED-based setup (previewed at this year’s CES show), which selectively darkens individual LEDs to shade out oncoming traffic or pedestrians, is similar, but Volvo’s setup employs mechanical shading.

Volvo also is touting a Cornering Light feature, which throws more light in the direction the wheels are turned at low speeds to help drivers traverse dark gateways or alley entrances. While certainly useful, the tech is hardly an innovation—corner lamps that illuminate whenever turn signals are engaged were a staple of 1970s-era American luxury cars. Otherwise, Volvo’s full suite of advanced safety tech returns to the 2014 S60, including City Safety auto-braking, Pedestrian Detection, blind-spot monitoring, and cross-traffic alert.

The S60’s range of turbocharged inline five- and six-cylinder engines and choice of front- or all-wheel drive apparently are untouched. And in case wagon lovers out there were curious, the Europe-only V60—the S60’s awesomely shaped five-door sibling—also gets the new front-end treatment. Volvo isn’t yet showing off a refreshed S60 R-Design, but the S60 variant we can’t wait to see is a production iteration of the totally insane, M5-challenging, 508-hp S60 Polestar concept. Please build it, Volvo, even if it gets the 2014 S60’s less-interesting face.

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KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

2014 VOLVO S60 SEDAN

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