Anyone who’s ever owned a Ferrari knows that they’re Italian built super car is like bait to other would-be sports cars. The sound of the exhaust and the race bred pedigree brings other drivers to stop lights like moths to a flame. Corvette’s, Porsche’s, Lamborghini’s and imports galore all love taking pot-shots at any member of the prancing horse family. But Volvo’s? That’s a new one even for me. There are however some crazy Swede’s out there who have the ability to take their “boxy, but good” family cars to the next level, and when this happens… by God you’d better look out. The following video shows what happens when Ferrari’s new 458 goes up against a relatively stout Volvo Wagon.

Source: Youtube.com

Thumbs Up: The sexiest Volvo ever, with performance to match.

Thumbs Down: No six-speed manual, busy center stack controls.

Buy This Car If: You’re looking for an Audi A4 or BMW 335iX alternative.

I’ve never been a Volvo guy. Maybe it was their conservative, boxy-but-safe styling, or their Swedish sensibility, or their focus on safety above all else. Even the legendary Volvo turbo wagons failed to impress me; sure, they were the fastest station wagons you could buy, but that was like saying the Big Mac is the most sophisticated culinary masterpiece on the McDonald’s menu. Volvos, at least in my eyes, were the cars you bought when you really wanted something else, but needed a safe family sedan or station wagon.

That was until I drove the 2012 S60 T6 R-Design, which has utterly changed my view of Volvo. I loved the car, and would go so far as to say that I’ve even consider buying one if my transportation needs and budget differed from their present state. The styling is drop-dead gorgeous, and in my eyes the S60 T6 R-Design is among the best looking cars on the market today. Yes, I said “cars,” and not “Volvos.” There simply isn’t a bad line on the car, nor does it have a ugly angle. Some would say the front end is a bit busy, but I think it works well on the car and serves to make the S60 T6 stand out from the rest of the luxury and sport sedan herd.

There are plenty of cars calling themselves “four door coupes” these days, but the Volvo manages to carry off the look without calling it out in their marketing. The sloping roofline and decreasing greenhouse, coupled with the large rear window, give the car a near sports-coupe appearance, and Volvo uses subtle hints (like the silver mirrors and titanium colored rear diffuser) to remind you that the S60 T6 R-Design isn’t your dad’s Volvo.

That’s not to say it’s perfect, and there are two glaring flaws in an otherwise superb sport sedan. First, the controls on the center stack are small and busy, making them a challenge to figure out and to use, especially on the road. There seems to be neither rhyme nor reason to their layout, and you’re never quite sure if you’re adjusting the temperature, changing the zoom on the nav system or turning up the audio volume. You get used to them over time, but don’t expect to jump in an S60 and figure out the nav / infotainment system on the fly.

The second flaw is the transmission. There’s nothing really wrong with the six-speed “Geartronic” auto transmission, but it’s out of place in a car with sporting intentions. There are no paddle shifters (although the gear selector can be used to sequentially select gears) and gear changes aren’t exactly sport-sedan quick. In an S60 T5, the gearbox would be just fine, but it does detract from an otherwise superb sport sedan. I know the market for manual transmissions is small (and declining), but with the right six-speed manual the Volvo S60 T6 R-Design could be completely transformed.

That’s not likely to happen, and the current Geartronic transmission is good enough to satisfy the vast majority of shoppers. The interior delivers what customers have come to expect from Volvo, including outlandishly comfortable front seats, with deep side bolsters for spirited driving, Contrasting stitching and sculpted seat panels make the front seats as beautiful to look at as the rest of the car.

That aesthetic theme is carried over onto the rear seats as well, which also get sculpted panels and contrasting stitching. To ensure that the driver has unobstructed rear visibility, the rear passenger headrests have a “power folding” feature that’s activated from a button on the center stack. That little touch gives you an idea of the amount of thought behind the Volvo S60’s interior design.

Instruments feature deep blue faces trimmed in silver, with LCD information displays in their centers. Volvo calls them “watch dial” instruments, and they do indeed look like the face of an expensive chronograph. They’re easy to read and add a unique style to the R-Design’s interior.

Complaints about the center stack controls aside, the dash does a good job of blending colors, textures and shapes. The bulk of the dash is covered in a coarse-grained, soft-touch vinyl that’s unlike anything else I’ve seen on the market. The steering wheel is perfectly sized and shaped, and earns a place on my “top ten steering wheels of all time” list. Overall, the interior has an upscale feel to it, and it’s distinctly different than luxury car interiors from Infiniti, BMW or Audi.

Under the S60 T6’s shapely hood lies a turbocharged inline six engine, which sends 325 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque to all four wheels. That’s enough to get you to sixty from a standstill in under six seconds, and the power is remarkably linear across the engine’s range. Off-idle acceleration can be a bit abrupt until you’re used to modulating the accelerator, but it won’t take the average driver long to get used to. Fuel economy depends on how enthusiastically you use the throttle; the EPA says you can expect 18 mpg city and 26 mpg on the highway, and I saw an indicated 19.3 in mostly-city driving.

Another nice feature of the S60 T6 R-Design is the adjustable steering feel, which lets drivers choose how heavy they want the steering to be. Even on the firmest setting, the steering never felt too heavy, and it never felt artificial, like you were driving a computer simulation of what steering effort should feel like. Despite the car’s AWD layout, the front wheels still manage to communicate quite well to the driver, and the overall feel of the S60 T6 is impressive. The suspension is firm without being harsh, and there’s very little body roll in corners. Even though the S60 T6 R-Design comes with all season tires, turn-in was immediate with manageable understeer when pushed hard. If you were to mount up a set of more performance-oriented tires, the S60 T6 R-Design would provide reasonable entertainment value on the the occasional track day or high-performance driving event.

If safety is a concern, rest assured that the S60 T6 R-Design stay’s true to Volvo’s roots. In addition to things like a high-strength steel safety cage, the car gets a full complement of airbags, traction control, stability control (with a “Sport Mode,” that allows a bit more wheel slip) and Volvo’s “City Safety” system, which will automatically brake the car at speeds below 19 miles per hour to reduce the chance of an impact.

Volvo bills the S60 as the “naughty Volvo,” and I’d discourage you from buying into that hype. As the fastest of the S60 offerings, I’d call the S60 T6 R-Design the “overachieving Volvo,” since it’s one of the few models in the product catalog capable of drawing in new buyers to Volvo showrooms. Better still, it’s got the performance potential to live up the car’s styling, and neither ride nor handling will disappoint the vast majority of those shopping for an AWD sport sedan. The S60 T6 R-Design isn’t perfect, but I’d put it near the top of my “most impressive cars of the year” list.

Volvo provided the press fleet tester for my review. My 2012 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design had a base sticker price of $43,375, including a destination charge of $875. Options on my tester included the $2,700 Multimedia Package (premium audio system, rear park assist camera, voice controlled navigation system) and the $800 Climate Package (heated front seats, heated windshield washer nozzles, headlight washers, rain-sensing wipers, interior air quality system) for a total sticker price of $46,875. For comparison, a similarly equipped BMW 335iX would sell for $56,600, while a comparable Audi A4 2.0T Prestige would list at $48,675.

Remember when Volvo’s were safe, boxy cars that teachers and vegetarians drove? They were nice enough I suppose, but always lacked that bit of “flair” needed to take them to the next level. Over the years the company has tried to shed their “They’re boxy, but they’re good” image, but truth be told, they still haven’t gotten it quite right. Some folks, like Gunnar Larsson however, have looked past the initial dullness and have instead interjected some much needed personality into these Swedish boredom boats. Gunner’s ride started out as a mundane 1987 Volvo 740 Sedan, however after mulling it over a bit he decided to add some much needed power by way of a small block Chevy clad with a 6/71-blower. It’s not politically correct and is about as environmentally friendly as an atom bomb, but once you see this sucker go I think you’ll agree that Mr. Larsson has created one bad ass box.

Recently, I attended the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Held every May, this show features a vast array of meticulously maintained classic British, European and Japanese cars, exemplary examples of their more modern kin, as well as a beautiful collection of kit cars.  As far as sheer variety in makes, models and years, hands down, this show can’t be beat.

This has become something of an annual treat for me as I can think of few better ways to spend a weekend than by gazing at a gleaming sea of jaw-droppingly stunning automobiles, many of which I guarantee you won’t find at other shows. Plus, participation is open to anyone with an import or a kit car – all you have to do is register, make your car pretty and show up. It’s a great opportunity to display your cherished ride and meet other aficionados of your favorite marques.

I used to come down to show my Saab and hang out with the Saab contingent that makes it out every year. But even though I have a Subaru now, it’s just so much fun that I continue to make the trip to Carlisle (my WRX was parked over by the lone DeLorean, if you happened to be there). Volvo, BMW and Audi clubs also traditionally have a large showing so the weekend is packed with the cars you love, cars you haven’t seen before, your friends from the forums, barbeques – it’s a good time for everyone.  So, if you’re not too far out from Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend heading out there next May to check out the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals. To tide you over, provided for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite cars of the weekend. Enjoy!

Lancia Scorpion

Matte black Volvo V70R

Opel GT and Opel Kadett Coupe

Volvo P1800S

Saab 9-3 Viggens

Ferrari 360 Modena and 328GTS

Citroën 2CV and Smart Roadster Coupe

Gorgeous Audi Quattro

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

Twin-charged Audi A1

Volvo S60Rs

Saab 99 Turbo

Badass Volvos: PV544 and 142

DKW Junior de Luxe - DKW/Dampf-Kraft-Wagen became one of the four companies that comprised the "Audi NSU Auto Union AG" (now known as Audi AG).

Triumph TR8 and TR6s

Saab 96 V4 convertible - must have been a custom job.

Bimmer Beauties

Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary Edition

Citroën H Van and DS

Audi A7

Honda Z600 / 600 Coupe

Saab Sonetts

Datsun SPL311 Roadster

Opel GT

Matt Farah’s back from the Ford Focus Rally, and this time he’s reviewing the new “naughty” Volvo S60 T6 AWD. Like any good car reviewer, Matt gives us the good news (turbocharged I5 engine replaced with twin-turbo V6, adjustable suspension, adjustable steering, planted feel of Volvo’s AWD) with the bad (no manual transmission, no paddle shifters, insufficient brakes and bizarrely excessive safety systems). In the end, Matt does give the car praise as a “driver’s car”, and presents it as a viable alternative to the BMW 335i and the Audi S4. It’s priced on par with those choices, so don’t expect the S60 to win buyers over on price alone.

I’ve never been a huge fan of Volvo, simply because their cars are a bit too left of center for my tastes. Their interiors are stark, and filled with a puzzling array of knobs and buttons. Their nav / infotainment systems seem to be added as an afterthought, and I’ve never driven one that impressed me with it’s power or handling. That said, I’ll keep an open mind on the new S60, which represents a ground up re-design. If Matt Farah liked it, chances are I will, too.

Ford Mustang in Hamburg, Germany.  Photo courtesy of Jan Riggert.

It’s February and we’re in the heart of Winter 2011.  For car enthusiasts, it’s very easy to dismiss this season as a time of dreary dormancy.  When the grey skies and the bleak landscapes make even the cherished weekend drive unwelcome.  When the air is too agonizingly frigid to endure with the roof tucked away and the windows down.  When you long to pitch your keys after frantically scraping your windshield in the quiet hours before dawn and your thoughts incessantly turn to the salt feasting on your vehicle.  Sitting behind the wheel, your breath visible, you find that even your car starts begrudgingly, chugging to life with the reluctance of a teenager waking on a weekend morning.  In winter, the sleek, silvery hides of the cars we’ve fondly lusted over in the warmer months are locked away, sheltered from the elements, and the bronzed, bikinied goddesses of the tuner meets are in hibernation.  Winter is a terrible time for car enthusiasts.

Or is it?

The following are some of my favorite winter photos from around the Web.  If you’re bemoaning the winter blues, take a look at these and get out and drive.  Winter is no reason to stay inside.

BMW 325ix in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Photo courtesy of Nelson Vargas.

VW MkV GTI in New York City.  Photo courtesy of Motoring Con Brio.

Mazda MX-5 in Japan. Photo courtesy of Dohan.

Mitsubishi Evolution IX in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo courtesy of Andrew @ Barros Photography.

Volvo PV544 in Finland. Photo courtesy of Anssi Koskinen.

Porsche 944 Turbo (951) in Wisconsin.  Photo courtesy of Neos Design.

Subaru Impreza WRX in Hungary.  Photo courtesy of Zoltán Kontra.

Have winter shots you’ve taken that you would like to share with RideLust?  Email me your winter photo, your name, location (if desired), and some details about your car, and I’ll post the photo on the site.

I’ve got sad news for you my friend; that crossover you bought – the vehicle that combines the practicality of an SUV with the driveability of a car – it’s actually been known for generations by a different name.

You own a station wagon.

I’ll wait for a minute while you clean up the mess you made when you spit your coffee all over your keyboard.

Yes, that hip new crossover you bought is a cleverly repackaged vehicle that has been around since the dawn of the internal combustion engine (err, not really – but it’s been around for a while).

The highly-paid advertising executives (Don Draper types) who create the marketing for cars are a pretty smart bunch. They foisted a 15-year period of SUV dominance on us in the name of safety and practicality, and when that well dried up, they repackaged a tried-and-true segment that had fallen on hard times and told the American public they had come up with something new.

Crossovers are everywhere these days: the Ford Edge, Chevy Equinox, Infiniti EX 35 and Volvo XC60 are just a few of dozens of crossovers populating dealer lots. They’re inescapable.

So don’t feel bad, happy owner of a new station wagon; you aren’t the only one who was duped into buying a station wagon. Plus,your secret is safe with me.

“If dual exhausts are good,” thought Vitaly, “then ten exhausts must be better.”

Source: That Will Buff Out

If you’re like me then one of your favorite pass times is chewing up miles on the road to nowhere. What I mean by that is, you love going out for a drive just because you enjoy the actual emotions that driving brings. For some it’s the action of rowing through the gears, for others it’s the feeling of the wind in their hair, and yet for others it’s simply a great departure from the rigors of everyday life. Owning a classic car is luxury that most people think is way out of their reach. Auctions such as Barrett-Jackson and Mecum have skewed the public’s perception that all classic cars are out of reach and that everything that was built before 1980 is worth in the triple digits. Well ladies and gentlemen, I’m here to tell you that that is simply not so, in fact there are loads of hot little sports cars and roadsters that you can pick up in excellent condition right now for the price of a new Ford Fiesta. Sounds crazy right… well it’s not. Below is a list of 10 amazing automobiles that can be had for below 20K. So, with that being said go take a look at the list and clean out your garage, because I have a feeling there may be a new little fun mobile in your future.

• 1969–1976 Porsche 914

A lot of Porsche enthusiasts don’t consider this car to be a real Porsche – I say bullshit. The 914 is a hot little mid-engine sports car that is an absolute hoot to drive. It’s quick, well balanced and with some light performance modifications can be made to run with some much more high dollar machines. You can pick these up starting at around $7,000.

• 1967–1970 Datsun 2000 Roadster

It was lightweight, had 150 hp thanks to its 2.0 L U20 inline-4 mill, and was destined to become a future classic. Good ones can be had for around 15-20k, the key is doing your homework and the 311s.org forum is a great place to start.

• 1959-2000 Mini Cooper Classic

You know them, you love them, but I bet you didn’t think you could afford them. Websites like MiniMania.com can guide you in the right direction. Since these cupcakes were made for almost half a century it’s important to get some guidance before making a purchase. Oh yea… you can get these for under 10k.

• 1968–1976 BMW 2002

What you are looking at is the great grandfather to the BMW 3-Series. The 2002 is an enthusiasts car if there ever was one. Small, sporty, great handling and a blast to drive, the BMW 2002 has a true cult following. They’re deceptively roomy inside, have great handling manners and visibility and are accepted in just about every automotive circle. This one is high on my list!

• 1961–1973 Volvo P1800

The first time I saw this car I was shocked to find out that it was a Volvo. I mean just look at it, the thing is gorgeous and so far out of the boxy realm that Volvo’s styling is known for. These beauties are known to have some rust issues, so make sure to have them checked out thoroughly before you purchase one.

• 1958-1974 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

Just read this – it’ll fill you in on why I dig these little guys.

• 1969–1976 Triumph TR6

Sure the Lucas electrics in these thing stunk, but that was part of their charm right? The Triumph TR6 is simply a great looking little roadster that will take you 100′s of happy Sunday morning rides. Plus there are Triumph clubs all over the place so finding parts and great mechanics should be no problem whatsoever.

• 1971-1974 Alfa Romeo GTV

The Alfa Romeo GTV is probably one of the best looking classic Italian sport coupes out there. Its little 2-liter inline-4 mill cranked out about 130 hp and with front and rear disc brakes, the little Alfa had performance levels of cars that cost twice as much. Price range from around 15-20k for clean models.

• 1962–1980 MG MGB Roadster

It’s British, small and looked like a million bucks. Here in the United States MG Roadsters are pretty common as their cheap to purchase and to maintain. Like anything British though, check the electronics and make sure you have an honest mechanic handy.

• 1966-1982 Fiat Spider

The Fiat Spider is the Italian version of the car that sits above and because of it, all the same rules apply, except of course for the mechanics name. In fact if it doesn’t end in a vowel I’d suggest running in the other direction.

I know it’s an odd question, but it’s also a valid one. Simply put, what oddball car do you lust after? Everyone has some type of skeleton in the closet and car guys and gals are no different. These are automobiles that you are embarrassed to tell your buddies you’d like to own. Some cars like Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s and Bugatti’s are universally lusted after, but what about something like a 1960 Nash Metropolitan or a 1957 BMW Isetta 250, do these also tickle the pickle? Personally, I love the oddball stuff and while they may not be for everyone, some of these unconventional automobiles will always garner their fair share of followers. Here’s a quick list of 5 oddball rides that I wouldn’t mind seeing in my garage.

• 1971 Plymouth Fury

BIG! I love em’ BIG! During the late 1960′s and early 1970′s Chrysler made some of the biggest road going land yachts ever created and I love just about all of them. The ’71 Fury is a badass looking machine from every angle and just loves to chew up the miles. Plus that blacked out grill looks pretty sinister as well.

• 1972 Volvo P1800

Small, Swedish and sporty is what the P1800 is all about. Sure it wasn’t very fast, but it looked like it was moving at 100 mph when it was parked and few cars have the ability to do that. Plus with a little massaging and a few custom touches these guys can be made to look pretty trick.

• 1995 Porsche 928 GTS

The old 928 never garnered much respect from Porsche enthusiasts, but the fact of the matter is that this baby was one of the best GT cars ever created. It was comfortable, fast, looked good and handled great, but the fact that it wasn’t rear engine configured just pissed off the Porsche faithful.

• 1964 Volkswagen Type III Notchback

Yes I know they’re slow and yes I know they look like a tissue box on wheels, but there is no denying that there is something just plain cool about these things. The one pictured is set-up perfectly in my opinions, although I would probably add a roof rack. Otherwise, I’d be driving this thing all day long with no complaints.

• 1959 Chevrolet Biscayne

Honestly, if you don’t think this thing looks amazing then there is something wrong with you. With those batman style taillights and that bubble top roof, the ’59 Biscayne just screams that it’s up to no good. One day I will own one of these… one day.