AIMS: Volvo tests water with hot S60

Word first surfaced back in April that Volvo had an extra-special S60 ready to roll. That was when the company's American arm revealed a 2012 model year version of the S60 T6 R Design with upgraded power and torque.

At the time, as motoring.com.au reported, Volvo Australia disavowed all knowledge of the performance model. Now, however, the company has presented the S60 Performance Project on its stand at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne.

The importer is gauging public reaction to the car before deciding whether to introduce it to the local range in limited numbers. Favourable response from the public will likely be decided by the car's added 18kW of power and 40Nm of torque, taking the total to 242kW and 480Nm. Volvo's in-house tuner, Polestar, tweaked the engine management system software for as much as 22 per cent gain in power and torque at different points in the rev range.

Heico Sportiv supplied the 19-inch alloy wheels — fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tyres — and an exhaust system to match the engine. Ride height is 15mm lower than the standard car's and the springs and suspension bushes are stiffer.

Inside, the S60 Performance Project features upgraded sports seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel in a three-spoke design, dials with blue surrounds and aluminium-ridged sports pedals.

"The S60 T6 already boasts excellent performance credentials and the S60 Performance Project takes that even further. With the extra power, torque and unique wheels and exhaust system the S60 Performance Project really is a very special edition S60,'' said Volvo Car Australia Managing Director Matt Braid.

While the S60 Performance Project was the star of the Volvo stand, it was not the only point of interest, with the company displaying the V60 plug-in diesel hybrid that made its world debut at the Geneva motor show back in February. And the company also arranged for its crashed C30 EV to be present in Melbourne, demonstrating the zero-emission car's inherent safety.