Volvo prices new S60 Polestar

Volvo Cars Australia has released pricing for its upgraded MY17 S60 Polestar sedan and V60 Polestar wagon, as well as its new flagship sedan, the S60 T6 R-Design.

At $89,990 plus on-road costs, the S60 Polestar sports sedan costs $10,000 less than the model it replaces, while the wagon version is priced just $3000 higher at $92,990 plus ORCs.

The new price is also $20,000 lower than that of the original S60 Polestar launched in 2012, when just 50 were released at $109,990, before the price was cut by $10K in 2014.

However, as Volvo announced last April, both models downsize from a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six to a 2.0-litre 'twin-charged' turbo and supercharged four-cylinder, matched with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed Geartronic auto.

Despite the smaller displacement though, both Polestar models are more powerful, more efficient and quicker.

While the old Polestar models offered 257kW/500Nm, consumed 10.2L/100km and accelerated to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds, the new one offers 270kW/470Nm and is claimed to hit 100km/h in 4.7sec, making it Volvo's quickest production car ever.

The V60 Polestar wagon, which is also 20kg lighter than before, is just 0.1sec slower to 100km/h and both cars offer a 250km/h top speed. Teak torque is delivered over 3100-5100rpm and the engine redlines at 7000rpm.

No official Australian combined fuel consumption figure has been announced, but the new twin-charged four-pot Polestar engine is Euro 6 emissions-compliant and should be far more efficient than the turbo six it replaces.

Originally due on sale in Australia late last year and based on the current S60/V60 around since 2010,

As before, key changes outside the engine room include bespoke Ohlins suspension and Michelin-shod 20-inch wheels, a sports body kit and interior upgrades.

Meantime, VCA has announced a $100,900 plus ORCs price tag for its S90 T6 R-Design, which becomes its new flagship sedan.

Fitted with a host of sporty cosmetic extras, the R-Design is powered by the same 235kW/400Nm 2.0-litre twin-charged petrol engine, eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive system as the S90 T6 Inscription ($98,900 plus ORCs).

It tops an all-2.0-litre four-cylinder S90 range that includes the base T5 Momentum ($79,900), D4 Momentum ($82,400) and D5 Inscription ($96,900).

Volvo's three new sports models follows the release of Polestar factory performance kits for the V40, S60, V60 and XC60, which will be replaced by a second-generation model by the end of this year.