MR_Y
Well-known member
So,
This past weekend, my dragon wagon (Volvo V60 Cross Country D4 AWD Polestar) has an interesting TLGP over a few traffic lights on a deserted stretch of road in Brakpan (between Carnival and Springs) . Afternoon, sunny around 28 degrees.
Since my previous car was a 320d LCI, I was excited to see how this TLGP would pan out.
This 320d LCI had an M Sport kit, but I couldn't tell if it had the "Sport" Auto box (with paddles) or just the normal auto box.
Some specs first...
320d
2.0 4 cylinder single turbo
140kw/400Nm
Tare 1405 kg
Power/weight = 99.64w/kg
Gearbox 8 speed - ZF
RWD system
V60 CC D4 AWD Polestar
2.4 5 cylinder bi-turbo
162kw/440Nm
Tare 1763 kg
Power/weight = 91.88w/kg
Gearbox 6 speed - Aisin
Haldex AWD system
Immediately, the extra weight and the older gearbox (no launch control nor paddles) put the V60 CC at a disadvantage.
So, at the first traffic lights, the V60 is slotted into S mode on the gearbox and we pull away. The 320d pulls quickly off the line, as was expected. As we approach the next set of lights, they turn from red to green, so no need to stop. I slot the box into manual and downshift. It seems that my 2 turbos finally wake up and things get interesting quickly. The V60 starts pulling closer to the 320d and then the Volvo edges ahead. Then we stop at the next set of lights - they are red. When green, the slow gearbox and turbo lag hit me again - the 320d pulls ahead. Once we build up speed and I downshift, the gap closes.
This plays out again over the next few lights until we hoot and wave goodbye.
What I learned:
- As expected, the V60 is not a traffic light sprinter, but rather a long distance athlete. The power/torque need some time to come in and push the car ahead.
- The 320d, especially given its lower weight and that beautiful ZF box, is the quicker car when sprinting (as expected), but loses its edge to the V60 at higher speeds (as is expected). However, on a dry and curvy road, the 320d will outhandle and beat the V60, when the ZF gearbox would hold an even greater advantage.
Still for a family wagon, I am still happy with the V60 over the 320d - especially when navigating gravel roads at speed...
This past weekend, my dragon wagon (Volvo V60 Cross Country D4 AWD Polestar) has an interesting TLGP over a few traffic lights on a deserted stretch of road in Brakpan (between Carnival and Springs) . Afternoon, sunny around 28 degrees.
Since my previous car was a 320d LCI, I was excited to see how this TLGP would pan out.
This 320d LCI had an M Sport kit, but I couldn't tell if it had the "Sport" Auto box (with paddles) or just the normal auto box.
Some specs first...
320d
2.0 4 cylinder single turbo
140kw/400Nm
Tare 1405 kg
Power/weight = 99.64w/kg
Gearbox 8 speed - ZF
RWD system
V60 CC D4 AWD Polestar
2.4 5 cylinder bi-turbo
162kw/440Nm
Tare 1763 kg
Power/weight = 91.88w/kg
Gearbox 6 speed - Aisin
Haldex AWD system
Immediately, the extra weight and the older gearbox (no launch control nor paddles) put the V60 CC at a disadvantage.
So, at the first traffic lights, the V60 is slotted into S mode on the gearbox and we pull away. The 320d pulls quickly off the line, as was expected. As we approach the next set of lights, they turn from red to green, so no need to stop. I slot the box into manual and downshift. It seems that my 2 turbos finally wake up and things get interesting quickly. The V60 starts pulling closer to the 320d and then the Volvo edges ahead. Then we stop at the next set of lights - they are red. When green, the slow gearbox and turbo lag hit me again - the 320d pulls ahead. Once we build up speed and I downshift, the gap closes.
This plays out again over the next few lights until we hoot and wave goodbye.
What I learned:
- As expected, the V60 is not a traffic light sprinter, but rather a long distance athlete. The power/torque need some time to come in and push the car ahead.
- The 320d, especially given its lower weight and that beautiful ZF box, is the quicker car when sprinting (as expected), but loses its edge to the V60 at higher speeds (as is expected). However, on a dry and curvy road, the 320d will outhandle and beat the V60, when the ZF gearbox would hold an even greater advantage.
Still for a family wagon, I am still happy with the V60 over the 320d - especially when navigating gravel roads at speed...
