Buyers in Europe will soon be able to snap up both the sedan and the wagon with a redesigned front fascia and a smattering of go-faster suspension parts, including lower, stiffer springs; sportier bushings; and hot 18-inch wheels. It all sounds pretty good to us -- even though Volvo won’t be adding any power to the equation. Unfortunately, here in the States, the S60 faces some pretty stout competition from other midsize luxury performance sedans. The V60, meanwhile, isn’t even slated for sale in America.

The king of the four-door performance pile is, of course, the BMW M3, but it’s unlikely that buyers would ever line up the muscle-bound German against the more demure Swede. Instead, we’re thinking that Volvo will see more competition from the likes of Lexus and Infiniti, two companies that have recently upped their performance game in a big way. Both automakers now have devoted performance wings with F Sport and IPL, respectively. So despite Volvo's stingy hand with 'R' products in the U.S., if you’re an American buyer looking for luxury with some venom, there are plenty of places to get it.