Some viewed the production Volvo S60 not making a debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show as a worrying sign, but development continues. The S60 was caught undisguised recently and in addition a S60 mule was driven in highly-trafficked Copenhagen without the usual security surrounding a test vehicle.

The latter was done for this video, which demonstrates new technology on the S60. The XC60 debuted Volvo’s City Safety system, but the S60 will take it even further with Pedestrian Protection -- official name being Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection.

I applaud Volvo for their continued efforts on safety -- many lives have been saved as a result of past innovations.  It looks like they are ready to create new ones for the future.

Broken embargoes – Volvo releasing images to quell the excitement surrounding the new 9-5? Nope. MotorAuthorityhas commissioned a rendering though that is supposedly a preview of the car to come.

I’m not impressed – the S60 Concept’s looks don’t get watered down very well.  It somehow manages to look much less dynamic. I’ll be disappointed if the S60 looks like this. Some cars just don’t make the concept to production transition well, for Volvo’s sake lets hope that doesn’t prove to be the case with the S60.

Of course, this is just a rendering and not an official image. The XC60, the S60′s crossover counterpart, is very stylish and everything it has needed to be. I’m confident Volvo will follow that up with a sedan mode. It’s imperative that they do so as the new S60 needs to be a successful volume seller.

The S60 concept was quite stylish, with a coupe-like roofline similar to the XF and an aggressive profile. Of course, some elements won’t make it to production (like the suicide doors) but the overall look should be a good preview of the production car. We’ll see soon enough I guess!

Volvo has been trying to bring more variety to the marketplace with it’s new vehicles and the XC60 is a big part of that. With the XC60 being an already impressive crossover, this package should only add even more to it’s appeal (depending on pricetag).

I like it! It’s amazing what a little nips and tucks can to do really increase desirability. It looks lower then the standard XC60, huh? Well, it’s actually not. As part of the R-Design package, the black lower section between body and ground is painted to match the rest of car. This lowers visual ride height. The R-Design gets a sport suspension with stronger damping but ride height is unchanged.

Other exterior features added by the R-Design includes covering the grille, foglamp area, sill mouldings and door mirror housing in what Volvo calls a “silk metal” finish. Chrome tailpipes and skidplate round off the look.

In addition the R-Design also adds an unique color, “Passion Red” and a set of optional 20-inch “Cratus” wheels. Inside, the R-Design adds a lot of little (and some big) touches too that include sport seats, unique upholstery, R-Design gauges, aluminum pedals. No pricing or availability information has been made available yet. Looking good Volvo, really good! If I was getting the XC60, I’d want this package. Given that this package doesn’t offer any horsepower upgrades, I’d imagine someday Volvo will add a true R sports model. But in the meantime. this adds a needed dose of sportiness. What do you guys think?

Volvo really, really wants to establish a strong foothold in the luxury crossover SUV market. As I’ve said before, the segment is shaping up to be a big battleground between the luxury automakers.

Proof comes that they mean business with this price tag. At $32,395 the XC60 undercuts every competitor. Mercedes-Benz GLK, Cadillac SRX, Audi Q5, BMW X3; all of them. I wonder if they were waiting on Cadillac’s pricing of the SRX?

To be quite honest each one of the mentioned offerings are very appealing. I would take (and like) any one of them, so pricing could be even more of a consideration for buyers trying to decide between them.  

This pricing is for the new 3.2L base model, alongside the previous standard 3.0L T6 turbocharged engine. The 3.2L engine also does duty in the S80 as the standard powerplant.