Volvo will introduce a limited-edition run of S60 T6 Polestar models next week – and the car will be a virtual replica of the Project S60 first seen at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne early this year.
With just 50 of the all-wheel drive S60 R-Design based cars to be built, the Polestar will differ from US versions in that it will be a model in its own right, not merely an engine modification.
The power of the transverse 3.0-litre inline turbo six-cylinder engine is pumped from 224kW to 242kW, while torque is increased by 40Nm to 480Nm, mainly via electronic tweaks. Unlike the US Polestar package, the Australian version also gains a modified exhaust system - which would be reasonably expected to further add to power and torque. Maybe conservatively, Volvo has quoted figures virtually identical to the US Polestar T6 performance package.
With the significant power increases, the Polestar S60 should be pretty swift: With the regular S60 T6 accelerating from zero to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds, it should comfortably undercut the six-second mark.
The Polestar S60 will feature much of the equipment seen on the show car, along with a revised, lower-riding suspension, meaty alloy wheels and upgraded R-Design interior.
Although our report dated November 10 this year signalled Volvo’s intentions to bring Polestar to Australia, indications at the time were that it would be a T5-based version, employing the performance package available in the US for numerous T5-equipped Volvos.
The fact is that Volvo Australia’s Polestar programme will feature only the T6 variant, with no T5 planned. Volvo Australia’s product planners decided Polestar would be best utilised here to add zest to the top-shelf R-Design S60 variant.
In the US, where the Polestar T6 software package has just become available, it can be installed aftermarket on selected T6-engined models, including current XC60 and XC70 SUVs, and the S60 sedan. Volvo in the US quotes an installed, engine-only price of US$1,495.
Volvo Australia will announce pricing and full details when the Polestar S60 is launched here early next week.
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