2002 Volvo S60 AWD; Car guys take heart: Volvo gets funky (sort of).(Volvo Cars of North America's new president/CEO)(Brief Article)

The Swedes are starting to loosen up, according to Dan Werbin, a well-traveled Swede and new president/CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. ``Swedes are learning that it's okay to have fun,'' he says half-jokingly.

As proof, Volvo has the S60 AWD sedan.

On curvy backroads in Maine, Volvo launched this newest model. We launched it too, on a morning and afternoon drive in the countryside. It provided a fun, spirited ride (and bailed us out of one little situation).

This is the first Volvo with electronically controlled all-wheel drive (the awd version costs $1,750 over the S60's $36,500 sticker). In normal conditions the S60 AWD is a front-driver, for efficient fuel economy and traction. If the front wheels lose grip, the rear ones instantly kick in, via a wet multiplate clutch. Developed with Swedish company Haldex, this awd system integrates with ABS and stability and traction control. (Starting with December production, it will be available with dynamic stability traction control.) The system constantly monitors and compares the speeds of all four wheels. If a drive wheel loses grip, the system brakes the spinning wheel until it regains grip. The dynamic stability and traction control use braking, too, but also cut engine power if the driver keeps his foot on the gas.

With this system eliminating the torque steer in aggressive driving, fast starts and cornering become much more pleasurable-and safer.

We sped into a gravelly corner that rose over a slight ridge and felt the wheels slip. Instantly the new system kicked in and we were back on line. It corrected so quickly we never even experienced that triggering of adrenaline when you suddenly realize you've exceeded the laws of physics. Then we thought of what Werbin said earlier about the S60 AWD: ``It's not to take you off-road, but to keep you on it.''

Volvo says there are times when the system will detect and correct slippage before the driver ever realizes it. Like the other ...