Volvo Cars has revealed the new S60 mid-size saloon at the company’s first US manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina.

The company says the combined car launch and factory opening reinforce Volvo Cars’ commitment to the US, an important market for the company and its new saloon. The new S60 is the first Volvo car made in the US.

“The new S60 is one of the most exciting Volvo cars we’ve ever made,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars. “It is a true driver’s car that gives us a strong position in the US and China saloon markets, creating more growth opportunities for Volvo Cars.”

The new S60 is the first Volvo car to be sold without a diesel offer, which the company says signals “the company’s industry-leading commitment to electrification and a long-term future beyond the traditional combustion engine”. In 2017, Volvo Cars was the first global car maker to announce its strategy that from 2019 all new models will be electrified.

Two turbocharged and supercharged plug-in hybrid petrol engines will be available in the new S60: Volvo’s T6 Twin Engine AWD plug-in hybrid that generates a combined 335 bhp, and the award-winning T8 Twin Engine AWD plug-in hybrid that delivers 395 bhp. Volvo’s T5 and T6 petrol engines will be available at launch in selected markets.

In a first for the segment, customers can access the new S60 via Volvo Cars’ new premium subscription service, Care by Volvo, which offers car access with no down payment via a monthly flat-fee subscription rather than ownership.

“The active chassis and drive modes deliver excellent control and an engaged performance that makes this a driver’s car,” said Henrik Green, Senior Vice President for Research and Development at Volvo Cars. “It also brings the acclaimed technology from our 90 series and other 60 series cars into this segment, making it one of the best sports saloons on the market.”

The new S60 shares Volvo Cars’ own Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, safety technology and infotainment system with the new V60 mid-size estate, launched earlier this year, as well as the top-of-the-line 90 series cars and XC60.

The City Safety with Autobrake technology assists the driver in avoiding potential collisions, and is the only system on the market to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. In a world first for the mid-size saloon segment, City Safety now also engages auto braking to mitigate oncoming collisions.

The optional Pilot Assist system – which supports the driver with steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 80mph – has been upgraded with improved cornering performance. The S60 also includes Run-off Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation and other steering-assistance systems. The optional Cross Traffic Alert with autobrake further enhances safety for people inside and outside the car.

Volvo Cars’ Sensus Connect infotainment system is fully compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4G, and keeps drivers connected at all times. The intuitive control is a tablet-style touchscreen interface that combines car functions, navigation, connected services and in-car entertainment apps.

Electrified versions of the new S60 also offer a performance handling upgrade called Polestar Engineered – developed by Volvo Cars’ electric performance arm, Polestar.

Polestar Engineered is available exclusively on the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid and is a complete offer that upgrades the car’s wheels, brakes, suspension and engine control unit, boosting the S60 T8’s combined output to 409 bhp.