Updated for the 2017 model year, the Swedish car maker has revealed its latest version of the Volvo S60 Polestar, which is now available in South Africa in a limited run of just 45 units.
The s60 follows in the footsteps of the original 3.0-litre version, of which only 28 were imported into South Africa. The new S60 Polestar acts as a halo model in the Volvo range.
Engineered by Polestar, Volvo Cars’ performance arm, the new S60 Polestar shares even more of its DNA with the company’s racing cars. The new 2.0-litre Drive-E turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine has been developed alongside a 1.6-litre version of the same engine, which currently powers the Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 racing cars, which are piloted by Thed Björk and Robert Dahlgren in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Furthermore, the S60 polestar also shares its base chassis and engineering philosophy with the racing version.
Thed Björk elaborates: “While used in vastly different areas, these cars share more than just technology. The core philosophy is the same, developed by people with the same passion. It is about creating performance that can be used in all situations, no matter whether it’s about winning a championship or being able to enjoy a safe, functional and fun-to-drive car all year round.”
With 270 kW at 6 000 rpm and 470 Nm of torque available between 3 100 and 5 000 rpm, the Volvo S60 Polestar’s performance has been improved and remains impressive – 0-100 km/h is now achieved in just 4.7 seconds and top speed remains electronically limited to 250 km/h. A vast increase in responsiveness has been achieved by the fitment of a new 8-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox, which has been performance-optimised. A Haldex all-wheel drive system manages power output to all four wheels.
Extra responsiveness can be easily unleashed, along with more volume from the sonorous twin-exit exhausts, by selecting the Sport driving mode. Coupled to launch control, which unleashes the car’s full potential with rapid acceleration and punchier gear changes, the new S60 Polestar easily exploits its new Drive-E power.
The performance and output gains have been achieved thanks to a bigger turbo, new conrods, new camshafts, a larger intake and a higher-capacity fuel pump, compared to the same engine in a standard S60 T6 AWD.
Naturally, an improvement in efficiency is most notable with the switch to a Drive-E powertrain. Average fuel economy on the combined cycle has been reduced to 7.8-litres per 100 km, and carbon emissions have come down to 179 g/km – a significant reduction of 22.5%.
On top of this new performance-optimised equipment, Polestar has also reduced the car’s weight. The Volvo S60 Polestar is now 24 kg lighter over the front axle and 20 kg lighter in total compared to the previous model. Other new features on the car include new 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels, Polestar-calibrated electro-assisted power steering and new slotted front brake discs, measuring 371 mm in diameter.
Brake callipers are by Polestar/Brembo and feature six pistons up front and four at the rear, and the suspension continues to feature adjustable Öhlins dampers for the track enthusiast who really wants to get into finer detail with their car.
“This car is properly quick,” says Niels Möller, chief operating officer at Polestar. “But it’s more than that. It combines Polestar’s 20 years of racing pedigree with Volvo’s inherent pragmatism and engineering heritage. This is a very fast car that you can use every day of the year.”
Most impressive, however, is that the new S60 Polestar, as with the original version, is available with all available options fitted as standard.
Naturally, this Volvo also features a complete arsenal of safety equipment as standard, including six airbags, ABS, EBA, BAS, HAS, ESC and IntelliSafe, which besides City Safety (AEB) includes the likes of Lane Departure Warning, Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Alert, Road Sign Information and a Driver Alert system.
Henrik Fries, vice-president R&D at Polestar, concludes: “All changes made to the car are about improving drivability and efficiency. The base of the new engine carries motorsport technology with solutions such as the combination of turbo and supercharger, lightweight materials and more. This works hand-in-hand with our core philosophy and has enabled us to evolve the Volvo S60 Polestar.”
The new Volvo S60 Polestar retails in South Africa for a recommended R749 500, which continues to include a 5-year/100 000 km full vehicle warranty, a 5-year/100 000 km full maintenance plan, laminated glass and Tracker Connect. The new car is now also available in four colours, including Rebel Blue, Bright Silver, Ice White and Onyx Black.
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