Production Polestar models are finally coming to the U.S.!
Performance hasn’t exactly been a hallmark for Volvo for quite some time. It’s R-models from the 90s and early 2000s were good performers, but they were nixed and we’ve been left with simplistic, Swedish luxury since. Now under new ownership, Volvo is getting back into the performance game with Polestar, the official Volvo factory racing team.
The partnership began as a way to race the Volvo models and has since grown to include a number of concepts for production models over the past few years. Now, we can finally start to enjoy the partnership between the two brands on the roadways with the new Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar models that will be available in Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the USA, and other markets in June of 2014.
”We are proud to present the S60 and V60 Polestar. A car developed for those who share our passion at Polestar: That driving really matters and that a true driver’s car should enable you to enjoy driving all year, on all roads and in all weather conditions. This is a driver’s car for real life,” said Christian Dahl, CEO of Polestar. “With the introduction of the V60 model, we are proud to continue the heritage of fast Volvo estates like the racing 850 BTCC, a tradition deeply rooted among Volvo enthusiasts.”
”Our motorsport co-operation with Polestar has been going on for almost two decades and it is rewarding to see how Polestar can use their experiences from motorsport to engineer such an exciting and competent car,” said Derek Crabb, Motorsport Director at Volvo Car Group (Volvo Cars).
The current-generation of Volvo S60 and V60 models are the first to benefit from the motorsports team, after various concepts for the C30, S60 Concept, and S60 Australia models were unveiled earlier.
Performance is the name of the game with the Polestar S60 and V60 models. The chassis has been made more rigid for better handling through the use of 80-percent stiffer springs than the S60 R-Design models and custom-designed Öhlins shock absorbers with Polestar wheels that measure 8.0 x 20 ET53 with 245/35R20 tires. Behind those wheels sit new Polestar/Brembo six-piston calipers with 371 x 32 mm discs up front and 302 x 22 mm discs at the rear.
The focus for Polestar on their new Volvo S60 and V60 models is the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine. A new twin-scroll Borg Warner turbocharger feeds more boost into each cylinder and works alongside a new intercooler and 2.5-inch stainless steel exhaust system with dual 3.5-inch tailpipes. This boosts output up to a sweet 350 horsepower at 5,700 RPM and 369 lb-ft. of torque from 2,800 to 4,750 RPM. This, coupled with the six-speed AWF21 automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Polestar calibration with Polestar-tuned Haldex all-wheel drive system, enables the two Polestar models to reach 62 mph in 4.9 seconds, 124 mph in 17.7 seconds, and an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.
Inside, Polestar upgraded a number of aspects to make the cockpit more driver-focused. The steering wheel, seats, and other components were upgraded with new Polestar colors, better support, and control for the driver.
The new Volvo S60 Polestar and Volvo V60 Polestar models will be available in June of 2014. Pricing will be announced closer to the release date of the models.
Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Specifications
Engine:
Displacement: 3.0 liters
Number of Cylinders: Inline-six
Aspiration: Turbocharged
Maximum Horsepower: 350 /257 kW at 5,700 RPM
Maximum Torque: 369 lb-ft. / 500 Nm from 2,800 to 4,750 RPM
Maximum Engine Speeds: 6,500 RPM
-Borg Warner twin-scroll turbocharger
-New intercooler
-Polestar 2.5-inch stainless steel full-flow exhaust with dual 3.5-inch tailpipes
Transmission:
Type: Six-speed AWF21 automatic with paddle shifters and Polestar calibration
Drive: All-wheel with Polestar Haldex calibration with more rear torque dynamic distribution
-Polestar calibrated stability control system
Performance:
Acceleration 0-62 mph: 4.9 seconds
Acceleration 0-124 mph: 17.7 seconds
Acceleration 50-75 mph: 4.7 seconds
Top Speed: 155 mph / 250 km/h (electronically-limited)
Wheels, Tires, Suspension, and Brakes:
Wheels: 8.0 x 20 ET53 Polestar bespoke wheels
Tires: 245/35 R20
Suspension: Polestar Öhlins shock absorber system
Brakes: Polestar/Brembo six-piston calipers with 371 x 32 mm discs (front) 302 x 22 discs (rear)
Weight:
S60 Polestar: 1752 kg / 3863 lbs.
V60 Polestar: 1822 kg / 4017 lbs
Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Gallery
Source: Volvo
Are the new S60 and V60 Polestar models the best driver’s cars from Volvo?
