The premium C/D segment is among the most competitive in today's automotive marketplace. From the class standard, the BMW 3 Series, to upstarts like the Cadillac CTS, this category represents volume sales possibilities for all luxury brands, Volvo included.

Long known for safe, reliable cars, Volvo wants to be taken seriously in the segment. To do so, the design brief for Thomas Ahlborg, project director for the 2011 Volvo S60, was exceptionally simple: Create Volvo's sportiest car ever. And, if the S60's current marketing campaign is to be believed, make it a bit naughty.

Did Ahlborg and his team succeed? A full day's drive on Oregon's spectacular back roads east of Port-land and a half-dozen laps at Oregon Raceway Park in Grass Valley let me answer the question. I can say without reservation that they did. With the possible exception of the legendary P1800 sports car, the new S60 is the sportiest Volvo ever. With a competitive starting price less than $38,000, it is certain to find favor among buyers seeking a distinctive--dare I say, Scandinavian--alternative to its higher-profile competitors hailing from Germany.

The suspension of the S60 plays an important part in its attempt to compete against the segment's sportiest rivals. The S60 will be offered with three chassis: Touring, Dynamic, and FOUR-C Active Chassis. In the United States, the S60 comes standard with the Dynamic chassis. The Touring is offered as a no-cost option, while the FOUR-C is offered as an extra-cost option.

With its improved steering, stiffer