The V60 R-Design is a slightly sportier Volvo

Good news, schportiness fans. You can now buy Volvo’s quite excellent V60 with the R-Design pack, which adds stiffer suspension, a sporty bodykit and much equipment to Sweden’s 3 Series rival. But no power. Boo.

Available with all existing drivetrains – from the 150bhp D3 to the 250bhp T5 – R-Design V60s start from £35,410. Alas, those engines haven’t been touched, but at least Volvo promises the revised suspension (12mm-lower ride height, thicker anti-roll bars and stiffer spring rates) makes for an “even more engaging driving experience” than standard. Sounds promising.

Meanwhile, there are new alloys, bumpers and trim, and inside you get part-leather ‘sports’-seats, a ‘sports’ steering wheel and so-on. Added equipment includes front and rear parking sensors, plus a full complement of deeply intelligent active safety systems. Upgrade to R-Design Pro for a little over £2k and you get a head-up display, adaptive headlights and keyless entry, among other things.

Deliveries of what are expected to be Britain’s best-selling V60s beginslater this year, though you can waltz right into your local Volvo dealer and order one now. Would you, over a BMW 3 Series M Sport, Mercedes C-Class AMG-line or Audi A4 S-line?