2013 Volvo S60 GT6 K-PAX Racing
Volvo Marin, Corte Madera, California

Driving Impressions
2013 Volvo S60 GT6 K-PAX Racing, 'Racing Edition Package'
Volvo Marin in Corte Madera, California


Volvo Marin
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Earlier All Car Central was invited by our friend Paige Casamento of "Volvo Marin" in Corte Madera, California to drive the 2013 Volvo C30 GT with a K-PAX Racing, 'Racing Edition Package'. At that time we were told the front wheel drive only C30 was being replace by the all wheel drive Volvo S60 in the K-PAX 'Racing Edition Package's". The AWD was said to be the ideal set up, as the power from the increased engine out-put was a bit too much for just the front wheels to handle properly.

This time Paige set us up with the all wheel drive Volvo K-Pax S60 T6. The K-PAX 'Racing Edition Package's" are optional upgrades added to any Volvo of choice and the S60 we were testing was a very nice starting point.

2013 Volvo S60 K-PAX Racing, 'Racing Edition Package'

Volvo Marin

The base S60 GT6 is a 4 dr Coupe AWD Turbo Charged, 6 Cyl, DOHC engine with 325 HP and 350 ft lb of torque. The 'Racing Edition Package' moves that up. The one tested had an auto transmission with consol mounted shifter, with 'Sport' option. The layout of the controls are well designed and placed, easy to reach with not too much distraction. The now almost mandatory 'video screen' is quite small.

Volvo Marin






The base S60 also comes with long list of standard features and optional choices. The one, which really caught my eye, was the steering 'in-put' adjustment. As I moved off the lot onto the street, I started complaining to my guide, sales manager, Kevin Case, that the steering was too heavy for my tastes and unpleasant to steer even now on the freeway.

Volvo Marin

Kevin directed me into a parking lot and started working a dial/button on the center consol. The screen brought up a menu, not unlike my camera. After scrolling through several layers of selections, Kevin found the 'Steering Input' and selected 'medium'. "Try that," he said. "Still to heavy" I said. Re-engaging the menu 'light' was selected. "Just right" I said. Within a few seconds we had just redesigned the steering input/reaction timing on this car. Amazing! Normally, in a shop that would take loads of work employing engineers and technicians. Kevin just used one finger.

The S60 also has rear camera, side-blind-spot indicators, and brake applied frontal accident avoidance. I was alert and didn't test the later, but found the side-blind-spot indicators both useful and annoying as they kept flashing on and off as cars passed us on the freeway.

Volvo Marin

I will not claim to be well versed in turbo charged cars, but the ones I have driven lets the driver know they are there. Either the turbo is not ready to do its job and the response is not there or it sends a message that it is now working, by supplying a satisfying rush of acceleration. Volvo seems to have discovered something that is not widely used. Seamless input. I have to keep going back over my notes to reassure myself that I was driving turbo charged cars, they were that seamless.

Volvo Marin



The Volvo S60 4 dr coupe is a very impressive car and with the K-Pax Racing Package it becomes a well-mannered performance car with all the right touches to make driving more that just getting there.

Volvo Marin Volvo Marin

Thanks to Marketing Director Paige Casamento for making this day possible.
Frank Cunningham


Volvo Marin

Clean lines all-around

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click here 2013 Volvo S60 GT6  K-PAX Racing

BBS wheels and Pirelli P-Zero performance tires are just part of the up-grades

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2013 Volvo S60 GT6  K-PAX Racing

One could call this a 4 door Sport Coupe

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2013 Volvo S60 GT6  K-PAX Racing

The End


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