Volvo has extended its UK line-up with the first Polestar Engineered variants going on sale. The Volvo S60 saloon, Volvo V60 estate and Volvo XC60 SUV are the first recipients of the performance division's upgrades.
Available to order now, with customer deliveries starting before the end of 2019, the S60 (£56,105) V60 (£57,205) and XC60 (£64,545) Polestar Engineered models are designed as ‘halo’ variants of their respective ranges, thanks to a variety of new hardware and revisions aimed at improving the driving experience.
All three are based on the top-spec T8 plug-in hybrid models. The 2.0-litre petrol engine receives a 15bhp upgrade, and this combined with the electric motor means an overall system output of 399bhp.
That’s enough to make the S60 Polestar Engineered the fastest-accelerating Volvo yet, with a 0-62mph time of 4.4sec - a 0.2sec improvement on the standard S60 T8. It’s still capable of just over 27 miles of electric-only driving and a WLTP combined fuel economy figure of 104.5mpg. The V60's 0-62mph time is trimmed to 4.6sec, while the XC60 can complete the sprint in 5.4sec.
The Polestar Engineered revisions are more beneficial to the handling of the cars, however. All three come with new Öhlins adjustable shock absorbers and a strut bar that links the front suspension towers. Both items share their design, it’s claimed, with the 592bhp Polestar 1. A Brembo braking system is included on the S60 and V60 and an Akebono equivalent on the XC60.
All three models also get exterior styling tweaks to signify their status. Chief among these are lightweight forged black wheels (19in on the S60 and V60, 21in on the XC60) hiding gold-painted brake callipers. A gloss black grille surround and black chrome exhaust pipe complete the exterior, while the interior features gold seatbelts and a stitched instrument panel.
The Polestar Engineered models are based on the R-Design Plus trim level. Further equipment on top includes a heated steering wheel wheel, a Harman Kardon sound system and aluminium treadplates at the front.
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Congratulations on the spam
Congratulations on the spam filter Autocar, but how about a minute time limit for posting, to stop unintentional double posts? Thank you.
Those Ohlins shocks
Are only adjustable from under the bonnet or boot? Would love to see how this works on practice. Can you back them off to a greater or lesser degree? Or are they adaptive and its a starting point? Amazing the xc is a full second slower to 60. A very interesting if expensive car compared to standard versions.
jer wrote:
Will you will stop before the corner set the shocks to soft on the inside line and stiff on the outside line for maximum roll resistance and traction? Perhaps they are a marketing gimmick for a road car?
jer wrote:
Will you will stop before the corner set the shocks to soft on the inside line and stiff on the outside line for maximum roll resistance and traction? Perhaps they are a marketing gimmick for a road car?
Pah!
Who needs a Supercar now?, when main stream car brands can produce saloons like this the only advantage supercars have is better handling,and, unless you drive like a loon, cars like Volvo handle safely enough if driven within its limits.