Following a mysterious teaser earlier this month, we now know what Polestar was preparing for today: the world debut of the Volvo V60 and S60 Polestar production cars. Based on the pre-facelift S60 Polestar for Australia, with which they share the powertrain, the new Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar also sport the latest restyling of Volvo’s mid-size sedan and wagon.
Obviously, the big news is the V60 Polestar, which Volvo considers a successor to the racing 850 BTCC. The wagon retains the styling cues of the standard V60, but adds muscular features like the aggressive bumpers with splitter at the front, 20-inch Polestar wheels, rear spoiler and diffuser. The same aerodynamic package is seen on the S60 Polestar as well, with the exception of the rear spoiler, which is obviously placed on the boot and not on the roof.
The interior sports an understated theme, bringing new details, materials and Polestar colors on the steering wheel, seats and more.
The new S60 and V60 Polestar are powered by the six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine that produces 345hp (350PS) at 5,700 rpm and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque from 2,800 rpm. The unit is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox featuring a new paddle shift system that sends power to all four wheels through the Polestar developed Haldex four-wheel drive system.
Performance comes as a natural consequence of the above-mentioned figures, with 0 to 100 km/h taking 4.9 seconds for both models and top speed being limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Volvo says the gearbox, four-wheel drive system and traction control system have been recalibrated to provide “an active driving experience and maximum grip in all situations.”
Other upgrades include 80 percent stiffer springs compared to the S60/V60 R-Design, high-performance Öhlins shock absorbers, 371-mm (14.6-in) ventilated front brake discs and six-piston Brembo calipers, among others.
The two high-performance models will go on sale on four continents starting next year, in countries including Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA. Further markets and final production numbers will be revealed next year. Deliveries start in June 2014.
By Dan Mihalascu
