Volvo is hardly known for exciting automobiles, never mind ones that are meant to go fast. Though the Swedish automaker has been changing their models to be more hip and stylish over the recent years, the vast majority would still find the words “great looking Volvo race car” to be an oxymoron.

But that is exactly what the Volvo S60 TTA is – a great looking Volvo race car. Its mean low profile and perfectly executed widebody does the light blue paint justice. But more importantly, it just looks like a real race car despite obviously being a Volvo at the same time.

The S60 TTA will be competing in the Swedish Racing Elite League and features a carbon fiber body, vented hood, aerodynamically-tuned side skirts, and a race-typical rear spoiler. Four-piston calipers with 14.6-inch rotors up front and 14.2-inch rotors in the rear handle braking duties while the S60 TTA will race on 18-inch wheels.

Under the hood is a hybrid V6 powerplant with 420-hp mated to a six-speed sequential transmission. Two teams will be competing with the S60 TTA, Volvo Polestar Racing and Volvo Polestar Performance. The three drivers that are confirmed to pilot these magnificent race machines are Robert Dahlgren, Fredrik Ekblom, and Thed Björk.

Volvo is adding a six-speed dual-clutch automatic to their lineup of fuel-sipping DRIVe cars powered by a 1.6 liter diesel engine.

The change is significant because unlike previous automatic transmission offerings by Volvo, the dual-clutch auto boasts the same milage as the six-speed manual.

Their DRIVe line of cars, not sold North America, is offered S60, V60, V70 and S80 and uses a small displacement diesel. The fuel-conscious cars also feature a shutoff system that kills the engine at less than 3 miles-per-hour and a re-worked electrical system to reduce power draw. That all combines to deliver an average 62 miles-per-gallon.

Volvo and the Twilight Saga are inviting fans to join “Journey to the Wedding,” an online promotion created in conjunction to the upcoming release of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, in theaters November 18th. Participants of the “Journey to the Wedding” online game could win a trip to visit the locale of Edward and Bella’s honeymoon, Rio de Janeiro, as well as a night in the same luxurious house the movie’s hero and heroine enjoyed. More importantly, participants also get a chance to take home the Volvo S60 R-Design driven by Edward in the movie.

Edward’s Saville Grey metallic 325-hp Volvo S60 T6 R-Design is fitted with all wheel drive, an automatic transmission, active dual Xenon headlights, climate package, multimedia package, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), keyless drive, the same supple off-black leather interior that coddled Edward and Bella, stunning 18-inch diamond-cut Xion alloy wheels, and a sport chassis accented with a rear spoiler.

The question is, do you want this sweet Volvo badly enough to admit to the world that you’re Team Edward?

Visit http://www.journeytothewedding.com/ to play the interactive game. Volvo will announce the winner on November 28. Its online gallery will also feature photos and information on Edward’s Volvos, including the Volvo C30, Volvo XC60, and Volvo S60. Fans can also learn more at on Volvo’s Facebook page and Twitter account.

GALLERY: Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design

Hot on the heels of Volvo announcing their Performance Concept Prototype C30, Volvo Car Australia has pulled the wraps off their S60 Performance Project, a collaboration between Volvo, Heico and Polestar. Starting with an S60 T6 R Design, the Australian tuners has increased horsepower by 24-hp to 324-hp and torque has gone up close to 30 lb-ft of torque to 354 lb-ft.

No details were released on how the performance gain was achieved, but a the release did state a new exhaust system is on the Performance Project along with 19-inch wheels with Pirelli tires. Suspension is also upgraded on the sedan, lowering the vehicle by .6-inch with 15-percent stiffer springs with 20-percent stiffer bushings than the regular S60.

Volvo Car Australia is currently gauging interest in their S60 Performance Project and depending on demand, they may be building the S60 in limited numbers.

GALLERY: Volvo S60 Performance Project

Volvo has officially released a recall for 7,558 2012 S60 vehicles because of a potental problem with the fuel pump. The fuel pump issue may lead to engine hesitation and stalling even if the fuel gauge idicates up to a quarter tank of gas. This issue could potentially lead to a crash.

The software for the fuel pump unit may not be compatible with all fuel pumps and components. This may result in an insufficient transfer of fuel in the pump unit. The S60′s affected include cars made from November 18, 2010 through May 5 2011.

Volvo expects the safety recall to begin June 17. The dealer will upgrade the engine control module software for free.

If Volvo owners have any questions, they are asked to call 1-201-768-7300

For Volvo, being naughty has paid off: the new S60 sedan was voted International Sedan of the Year at the New York Auto Show.

“Receiving the International Sedan of the Year award demonstrates that the advanced technology, safety features, masterful Scandinavian design and award-winning engine resonate with industry experts,” said Jeff Pugliese, president of Volvo Canada.

The 12-person jury, comprised of automotive journalists, was the same committee that voted the Nissan Leaf International Car of the Year for 2011. The S60 may be new, but it was praised for its dependability.

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Volvo S60 T6 review

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Volvo S60 T5 review

There used to be a time when an “R” badge on a Volvo meant it was very special, a time when a former Formula-One racing team by the name TWR, tweaked a humble Volvo sedan and wagon into an autobahn missile.

More recently though, Volvo had ditched the idea of a true performance model and instead decided to turn its “R” division from racing to just cosmetics.

Now it seems Volvo is about to once again inject a bit more racing into its R-design products. For 2012, you’ll be able to order your S60 sedan or XC60 SUV with an R-Design package, and it will offer more than just a new pair of shiny rims and ground effects body work. No, this R-design package will come with some extra punch. Volvo has tweaked its T6 motor to now produce 325-hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. That is an improvement of 9% over the standard model. That might not sound like much, but any improvement in performance is always a welcome one.

With the added performance comes some added exterior styling thanks to ground effects, a new exhaust and a rear spoiler. Unique R-Design exclusive five-spoke 18-inch diamond cut wheels also set it apart from the regular version.

The interior also gets a boost of style with sports seats, a sport steering wheel, sport shift knob, sport pedals and some blue dials which first showed up on the last generation S60 R.

The S60 R-Design will have a starting price of $42,275 and the XC60 R-Design will start at $43,150. So if you’ve been waiting for a sporty Volvo, these might just do the trick.

Looking almost crossover-like, the Volvo S60 Concept is undeniably an embellished version of the S60 that will make it to production for 2010. Volvo is, after all, one of the most conservatively styled manufacturers on the planet.

Other than the obvious design cues, Volvo will introduce several significant updates with the S60 as well as one new industry leading safety feature.

That feature is called “Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake” and what it does is detect when a pedestrian steps out in front of the car. At first it will give the driver a warning and if the driver does not react in time, the vehicle will apply the brakes. At speeds 20 km/h (12.4 mph) and below the system will bring the car to a complete halt. At any other speed, the system will reduce the speed by 20 km/h, which, says Volvo, will reduce the impact force by 75 percent.

The S60 concept will be on display at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, and will showcase a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with direct injection technology. Output is an impressive 180hp.

The production version S60 will have direct injection although we expect there to be a larger powerplant for the North American market. The production S60 will also come with another first for Volvo, a dual-clutch gearbox.

Official press release after the jump:
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