• Seven new cars announced ahead of Geneva
• Range includes super-efficient plug-in hybrid V60
• All set to arrive on these shores in June

A raft of revised cars has been announced by Volvo in the run-up to next month’s Geneva Motor Show. Seven models have been updated, including theS80 saloon, V70 estate, S60 saloon, V60 estate, XC60 4×4, XC70 jacked-up estate and a plug-in hybrid version of the V60. Volvo says that this is the most comprehensive facelift in the marque’s history.

All of the refreshed cars have been given a new family ‘face’, which Volvo says is more “elegant” and “sophisticated” than the pre-facelift cars. As is becoming the fashion, the badge (or “Ironmark” in Volvo-ese) takes a prominent place in the revised grille. The lower grille is full-width and aims to emphasis the width of the car, while the bodywork on all the new models features a mixture of sweeping surfaces and sharp character lines, with pronounced, muscular haunches. Also available will be 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels which, Volvo says, will keep the ride comfort of 18-inch items, while enhancing the looks of the cars.

The cabins remain very similar to those in the current models, with a mixture of clean lines and an elegant, well laid-out interior. However, all models will now come equipped with a new type of sports seat which keeps the driver in position during hard cornering but without the loss of any comfort. Also available will be a new infotainment system – called Sensus Connected Touch – which will connect to the web via either a smartphone’s 3- or 4G internet connection or by a dongle. This will allow users to listen to live streaming music or internet radio, and can be controlled in a variety of ways – by voice, steering wheel controls, from the centre console or by the infra-red touchscreen (which allows the user to operate it while wearing gloves). This system will also be available for retro-fitting for 2011 model-year cars onwards.

Across the range, all the engines will be more fuel-efficient and cleaner than in the outgoing models, with the cheapest to run being the new V60 Plug-in Hybrid. This produces up to 281bhp and returns up to 157mpg, when mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, as well as emitting just 48g/km of CO2. For the first time in a Volvo, drivers of cars fitted with automatic gearboxes will be able to change gear via paddles on the steering wheel.

Safety has always been a major part of Volvo’s appeal and the marque is aiming to have no-one killed in, or by, a new Volvo by 2020 – a target for which the company says it is “on track”. These new models will be equipped with its ‘Intellisafe’ system, which includes City Safety – a system which scans the road ahead and can stop the car autonomously if it detects a danger in the road ahead at speeds of up to 31 miles per hour.

Production of these new cars will begin in May this year, with first deliveries expected in June. Pricing is yet to be announced, but we expect that the revised cars will carry a small premium over the current models.