Commissioned by Volvo Cars North America, this Volvo S60R by ELEVATE was first debuted at the SEMA Auto Show in 2003

For those of you who are not familiar with Elevate (The Volvo Performance Experts), don’t feel bad, it just means you don’t own a Volvo. But for those of us rocking newer model Swedish metal, we likely have a few Elevate parts under our hood… and a pile more on our build wish list.

Elevate Cars produces probably the highest quality parts that takes your ordinary Volvos and transforms them into performance vehicles, offering unique style options, all while retaining Volvo’s extraordinary standard for safety. Fin Tip: Volvo invented the V-type three-point safety belt in 1959, and did not patent, nor charge license fees. They gave the world modern seatbelts out of generosity. Learn more here.

Aside from serving the Volvo community, which is extremely under-served by mainstream parts manufacturers, Elevate Cars has been a pioneer in the production of performance parts, as well as teaming with global companies such as Volvo to further highlight probably the best car brand out there…. (Volvo).

Volvo S60R Engine bay

Volvo’s S60R – An Overview

Volvo’s S60 was a compact executive car that was originally offered in the year 2000. This replaced the S70 and was on the P2 platform. It was related to the V70 (the wagon version), and the sporty version… The S60R. Currently the car is in its third generation. The S60 referred to in this article, and one of the most popular is the first generation (2000-2009). Volvo was aiming to compete with BMW and their 3 series.

It wasn’t until 2004 when Volvo released the “R” edition. Some of the notable features, and the reason many still seek these cars today include a Haldex all-wheel-drive system. Haldex, also a Swedish company, started it’s first generation of intelligent AWD in 1998. While you may not have heard the name Haldex, you have probably heard BorgWarner, who acquired Haldex’s Traction Systems Division in 2011. The R design ran production through 2007. Side note. The popular Volvo C30 came only front wheel drive, but like anything, the Volvo community finds a way. ImportSauce author Michael C. Hallock explains converting a Volvo C30 to AWD, using all factory parts.

Also launching in the S60R was a 300ish horsepower inline 5 cylinder engine mated to the popular M66 transmission. It was available in an automatic, but it would be a waste of characters to discuss that here.

Aside from the standard S60, the S60R came with Brembo front and rear 4 piston brakes, and the ever popular “Pegasus” 18 inch rims. Add in some blue faced “R” gauges and standard HID headlights (almost 20 years ago). Mix in some available body kit options, Four-C suspension and some awesome interior options and you have a pretty unique and capable factory sports compact.

Volvo S60R Lowered

What Makes an S60R Better? How About the Full Elevate Parts Line-up and A Lot of Custom Work!

Back in 200xxxx, Don, founder of Elevate was contacted by Volvo Cars North America with an exciting request………….. more about this story

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Tear it Down – Build It Up

It always seems like this level of build come with a deadline, and this S60R was no different. There was no time to waste and sourcing a chassis and mapping the build began immediately. Keep in mind that while the S60 had been around a few years, the S60R was still new. It wasn’t like Don could go out to the warehouse and simply grab a pile of parts and install them. Many of the parts on this car were designed and produced specifically for this car.

The original S60R chassis was sourced from XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX and it wasn’t exactly custom commission material. The first issue was to decide on a color, which ultimately landed with “Laser Blue”

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The Build Gallery - Elevate's Blue Volvo S60R

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The Final Build Gets Instant Traction

Volvo Cars North America President and CEO Vic Doolan said it best,

“The S60 R, with its 300 horsepower engine and FOUR-C chassis, is the most powerful, technologically advanced production Volvo ever,”

…commented VCNA President and CEO Vic Doolan.

“With EVOLVE’s assistance, these two S60 Rs – developed especially for the SEMA show – take performance several big steps forward.”

Originally posted on the Volvo Cars Media Website Here.

here about how it got traction to appear in all these places.

Featured in the Ford/Volvo booth at SEMA 2003
Featured in the Volvo booth at Los Angeles Auto Show
Featured in the Volvo booth at New York Auto Show
Used by Volvo Cars North America at various corporate and public events as a display piece
Featured in over twenty publications worldwide, appearing on the cover of two magazines, and over sixty pages of press.

While the extent of this build is crazy, and most of our Volvo’s wont ever look or run this great, Elevate and their S60R paved the way for all us in the Volvo community to dream big. Even better, Elevate is always expanding is parts offerings for Volvos meaning that no matter what Volvo you drive, you have options to customize and modify. You can check out everything they offer here: https://www.elevatecars.com/store.html. And a final thread-jack, my favorite Volvo fan ride we have featured on the website currently… Philip Cheyne’s VIP, BAGGED 2005 Volvo S40.

Build Report
Exterior:
Color: Laser Blue
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Front Bumper
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Side Sills
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Rear Bumper
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Trunk Spoiler
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Tail Light Trim
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Grilles (Silver)
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Hood Grille
Darkened Tail Lights
Painted highlights in Silver and Laser Blue

Engine:
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Performance Software
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Air Management System (prototype)
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Sport Exhaust System (prototype)
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Upper Engine Mount Bushing
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Upper and Lower Coolant Hoses
Strut Tower Brace (prototype)

Wheels:
HRE 890R 19×8.5 front / 19×9.5 rear
Centers painted Dark Gray

Suspension:
Adjustable Coil-Over Suspension retaining 4C System
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Anti-Sway Bars

Tires:
Pirelli PZero Rosso 235/35-19 front, 275/30-19 rear

Brakes Front: 380mm Rotor with twin six piston calipers
Brakes Rear: 380mm Rotor with single six piston calipers
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines

Interior:
ELEVATE Volvo S60R Custom Leather Interior with Dark Blue/Silver Inserts
Foot Pedals (prototype)
Shifter (prototype)
Gray carpeting

The Blue S60R – Elevate Show Cars

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