Volvo Hints at Possible Return of R Lineup

With repeated reports about an impending Volvo sale for years, the brand has been on an uncertain path. Sales haven't been huge for most of the past few years due to an aging lineup and the S80 failing to take off in a big way. The past few months have seen sales increased posted.

Volvo seems to be finally getting its mojo back with new products like the XC60 Crossover and S60 sedan. Success right before sale seems to be a pattern with Ford's recent sale of both Jaguar and Aston Martin as well, but I digress.

The introduction of R-Design appearance packages for the C30, XC60, and potentially the S80 has highlighted the lack of true R performance variants in the Volvo lineup. I firmly believe there is a place for packages such as R-Design, offering customers the ability to get a sportier look and better handling on top of already impressive performance.

However, for a brand that really wants to compete with Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and the like, a dedicated performance lineup would help a lot. The last performance vehicle from Volvo was the S60R. It was phased out before the end of the current S60's model run.

It is fitting then that the R designation could be revived first on the new S60. According to SwedeSpeed, it will be less about hardcore performance compared with BMW's M range and instead closer to the level of Audi's S4. A BMW M3-challenging S60R would be nice, but I don't think anyone will be turning their nose up at affordable performance packages from Volvo.