It’s getting hot down under.
During the 2012 LA Auto Show, Volvo released its high-performance S60 Polestar Concept that caught the attention of enthusiasts with its sky blue paint and boosted engine. Now the Swedes are getting a bit more serious with its high-performance models as they have officially announced the Volvo S60 Polestar production model that will be available exclusively to the Australian market as a test market in June of this year. The S60 Polestar may be available in other markets around the world, depending on how well it is received down under.
“We have built a car that we, as car enthusiasts, want to drive,” says Christian Dahl, Managing Director of Polestar. “This is a driver’s car, bringing out the very best of the already competent Volvo S60 chassis with our experience and technology from motorsport.
“We received a fantastic response to our Volvo C30 and S60 Polestar concept cars, so we are very happy to now introduce our first production car to the Australian market. This is an important step forward for Polestar, one that promises an exciting future.”
The Volvo S60 Polestar was developed along with Volvo Polestar Racing driver, Robert Dahlgren, and the Polestar company. They tapped into 17 years of motorsports experience and built upon the concept model to create an S60 model that was more engaging and performance-oriented while being a more than capable daily driver.
“The Volvo S60 Polestar is a car that we are truly proud of, our first step to a production car available to the customers,” said Robert Dahlgren, Volvo Polestar Racing driver.
“We have taken the best bits of the standard S60 T6 and our S60 Polestar Concept Car, creating a vehicle that puts a smile on your face when you drive it over your favourite twisty road. At the same time, it is more than capable of everyday driving, too.
“This is, in my eyes, a very good combination of the Volvo and Polestar core values: safety and performance.”
The 3.0-liter “T6” turbocharged inline-six was equipped with a new intercooler, racing exhaust with 2.5-inch flow pipes and 2.5-inch end pipes, a bigger Borg Warner turbocharger, and optimized software to churn out a healthy 350 bhp at 5,700 RPM and over 369 lb-ft. of torque from 2,800 to 4,750 RPM, while hitting a maximum speed of 6,500 RPM. This, along with the Polestar-tuned six-speed AWF21 automatic gearbox with launch control, helps the sports sedan reach 62 mph from rest in just 4.9 seconds and hit an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph. Even the all-wheel drive system was fine-tuned by Polestar, and now sends even more torque to the rear wheels.
But the Volvo S60 Polestar is more than just a fancy engine tune and coat of bright blue paint. The team gave the chassis new Öhlins two-way adjustable shock absorbers, stiffer springs, upgraded stabilizers, and other lightweight performance suspension bits paired up with Brembo and Jurid performance brake pads clamping down on larger ventilated discs. Unique Polestar wheels measuring 8.0 x 19 ET 51 are worn at the front and rear and come equipped with some 235/40R19, Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber.
The S60 Polestar will wear a new aerodynamic package developed in the Volvo Car Group’s wind tunnel, made in collaboration with the Volvo Research and Development team. The front bumper was fitted with a new splitter for better stability, while the rear sports a spoiler and diffuser combination to ensure greater amounts of downforce can be achieved. Inside, special Polestar bits and pieces help to differentiate the minimalistic designed interior such as various Polestar badges and limited edition plates.
The Volvo S60 Polestar will be delivered to customers in Australia starting June, 2013. If all goes well and the car is a success, we may see the Polestar variant in other markets across the world (please, please, please let one be the US).
Volvo S60 Polestar Specifications
Performance:
-0-100 km/h 4.9 sec
-Top speed 250 km/h – limited (155 mph)
Engine:
-6-cylinder inline T6 engine, 2953 cc
-257kw (350bhp) at 5700 RPM
-500+Nm (369 lb-ft.+) at 2800-4750 RPM
-Max 6500 RPM
-Polestar engine software
-New Borg Warner turbo
-New intercooler
-2.5″ stainless full-flow exhaust system with 3.5″ tail pipes.
Chassis:
-Polestar Öhlins, 2-way adjustable shock absorbers
-Upgraded springs
-60N/mm front, 65N/mm rear. (80% stiffer than stock)
-Upgraded stabilizers front and rear
-Upgraded rear tie blades
-Upgraded top mount in front and rear
-Upgraded toe link arms in rear
-Strut brace with carbon fiber enforcement
-235/40R19, Michelin Pilot Super Sport
-Bespoke Polestar rims, 8×19″ ET51
Weight:
-1684kg – same as standard S60 T6 R-Design
Drivetrain:
-AWF21 automatic gearbox
– Launch control
– Modified transmission software for faster shifts and launch control
– Modified AWD software for more rear torque
Brakes:
Front:
-336×29 mm ventilated discs
– Jurid 958 performance brake pad
Rear:
– 302×22 mm ventilated discs
– HP2000 Brembo performance brake pads
Aero:
-New Polestar front splitter corners
-New Polestar rear spoiler
-New Polestar diffuser
Interior/Exterior:
-Polestar door trims
-Polestar badge on front grille
-Polestar badge on boot
-Polestar gear shift knob
-Polestar badge on engine
-Polestar limited edition plate on door sills and steering wheel
-Black outside mirror covers
Volvo S60 Polestar Gallery
[Source: Volvo]
Should Volvo bring the S60 Polestar to other markets around the globe? If so, which markets?
