Volvo S60 R Edition. Will leave even the T5 standing, but looks like an innocent Volvo (hiding 300bhp.) Basically to the Volvo range what the M3 is to the BMW range. There are easy to spot differences (if you debadged) but suprisingly just as many wouldn't, as they just see "Volvo Sedan."
Example:
tinyurl.com/ye3w5qh
Edited by Devolution on 12/12/2009 at 15:44
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Very slow in comparison with exotica - but a car that totally belied it's look was the Skoda Roomster 1.9pdi - it proved more than a match for most porridgy cars when driven with gusto.
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Any Audi RS including the early five-cylinder one, suitably debadged and dressed down. Similarly, needing to be cosmetically spoiled as far as possible but not too obviously fast, the Megane Sport 250 that HJ likes so much.
Quite a lot of modern cars are astonishingly nippy without it being very apparent. For real fish-like ability at slipping through today's congestion, the smaller the better really.
'OBESITY EPIDEMIC CHOKES ROADS'
Saw a Smart going very briskly indeed on the road a few days back, but I think they are a step too small personally. On the other hand an old petrol head buddy of mine has a small 1.6 litre Seat, another stubby little motor but car rather than pram, that goes extremely well when required. However these are just brisk cars. A Q car has to have near-supercar performance when stretched.
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Any hire car?
Not so much a car, but most local car part delivery vans?
Anyway, what are the rules for a Q car? My 4.3 V8 Lexus goes like a scalded cat if it needs to but looks like a big Toyota (same could be said of the VW Phaeton - large Passat looks but could be a mightly engine up front).
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we have a vauxhall nova , sat in the garage , looks nice with its alloys , lift the bonnet to find a well tuned 16v 2l , 16v engine and box
the car has unfortunatly had the exterior door handle removed and a fancy electronic door sys fitted ,,,not realy motable now,
the car handles well , with all the correct parts fitted and is very quick
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Lexus LS600 - fast and luxurious but looks like an overweight Avensis.
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Volvo S60 R edition
I will admit to being biased because I own one, but I would actually say all of the S60 range has a Q-car element. Even my lowly 2.0T base model does 0-60 in 8.4 seconds and 140 mph (Autocar figures) and that's by far the slowest of the petrol models. Nondescript 16" alloys, and not a vent, spoiler or skirt in sight. The T5 and R are genuinely fast cars (sub 7 seconds 0-60), yet apart from nicer wheels look exactly the same.
There isn't a slow S60, yet they look soooo understated.
I still haven't found anything to touch my friends old beige 1979 Escort mk2 1.1L with a 330 bhp Graham Goode tuned Cosworth YB and cut down Sapphire 4x4 drivetrain though. That really used to surprise people. Wheels aside, it was bog standard to the naked eye, right down to the 1.1L badge on the boot. He never had the performance accurately measured, but it would do 0-60 (on the speedo) in less than 5 seconds. That said, it stood him in at well over £15k by the time it was all done.
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>> Volvo S60 R edition I will admit to being biased because I own one but I would actually say all of the S60 range has a Q-car element.
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*Looks on enviously...* Yes, have to agree with you there - my current main car is a S60 2.0T and it's got more than enough underfoot, which I found quite pleasing as I was holding out for a T5 sport, but in the end common sense prevailed as not finding the colour/spec I wanted refused to pay Group 17 insurance for a half hearted choice, so settled for a decent, run in 2.0t at slightly better running costs. I'd still pick up an S60R perhaps in the future, more as a respectful enthusiast and admirer as opposed to being able to drive or take advantage of it any differently on the (UK) roads to my current choice.
Out of interest, DP, have you ever piloted any of the S80s? I get the impression that being aimed at the luxury saloon market that they are rather hefty and bloated? I did consider the early T6 or D5 as they could be had quite cheaply. I like the newer top V8 but with all the gadgets you could have it would take me an hour to get off the drive!
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My previous car, Vectra V6 3.2 Elite, went a bit, while still looking like a plonky repmobile. 153 top speed and 0 - 60 in 7 and a bit seconds. I don't miss it though...
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I don't miss it though...
Thirsty, troublesome or both smokie?
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Does what it says on the tin Smokie ?
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Had a T5 Volvo 850 estate when they were quite new. Of course prior to that Volvos had never been seen as "sporty" Great car. Probably wouldn't excite now as much as it did then but in the context of its era it was a seriously quick wardrobe shifter.
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For something a bit more current and which would probably only draw any attention to itself from petrolheads....Alfa 159 3.2 Q4
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You are avery bad man Humph - some neurons have reconnected in my head for something I mentioned last September.
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Know what you mean PU. I still keep looking at the sportwagons....
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yes V6 vectra could be had in very ordinary trim and some of them were great and a big surprise, and so many vectras about they just fade into the background
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Despite being fast, the Vectra wasn't a very good drive. It sometimes felt quite "busy" and fast cornering could be a bit scary, especially on a less than smooth road. You may recall it was written off due to spillage of creosote inside, and I replaced it with a Mondeo 2.5T (Titanium X with extras) which is a lovely car, very comfortable inside and a superb handler at all speeds.
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Out of interest DP have you ever piloted any of the S80s?
I was a passenger in a new shape D5 in the Netherlands a few months ago. Very nice car from the passenger seat with plenty of go (auto box seemed to suit the engine well), and lots of space. From the sheer size of it, I can't imagine it would exactly be a bundle of fun, but typical Volvo comfort, refinement and quality that oozed from every aspect of the car.
I don't find the S60 very sporty, apart from its lively performance. I love the car though. I recently returned from a week overseas on business, arrived back at Heathrow very tired (and sporting the end of an epic hangover) on Saturday afternoon, and it reminded me what a lovely, cossetting, undemanding car it is to drive. Settle into those fabulous seats, set the lounge system beating stereo to my favourite tunes, adjust the climate just-so, and waft home in total comfort and relaxation with that super smooth five pot warbling away in the distance.
This wasn't a car I fell in love with instantly, but one which I will have a hard time parting with now. It is great at what it does.
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I've spent many hours behind the wheel of "old" S80 and S60 and the new S80. All D5s, old ones 163bhp, the new one the 185bhp. All autos.
The new S80 is a revelation. So much more responsive and a lot more feedback through the bends, the Ford input shines through on the handling, whilst still retaining high levels of comfort. The old S60 and S80 are very much alike (i.e. not much fun at all, but decent comfort), with the S60 being that little bit keener due to the lighter kerb weight.
Although it should be said, the new S80 I drove was fitted with the "Four-C" damper control system, which the older cars weren't.
All IMHO.
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