Volvo reveals V60 Polestar

UPDATE 29/11/2013: Volvo Car Australia has expressed interest in the new V60 Polestar and upgraded S60 Polestar but, given the MY14 S60 has just gone on sale in Australia and the Polestar cars won't be available in Europe until mid-2014, "it's too early to confirm anything specific for Australia at this stage". VCA has sold about 40 of the 50 S60 Polestar sedans it imported from June this year.

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Volvo has revealed new wagon and upgraded sedan versions of the S60 Polestar sports sedan that made its world debut in Australia in June.

Based on the upgraded 2014 model year S60 and V60 models released in October, the fresh S60/V60 Polestar twins have been confirmed for sale in Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, the US and UK (where only the wagon will be offered) by June 2014.

Volvo says further markets, final production numbers and pricing will be revealed next year, but makes no mention of Australia, where the first of 50 limited-edition S60 Polestar sedans were released in June, priced at $109,950 plus on-road costs.

Volvo Car Australia is yet to respond to questions about Australian availability of the new models and it remains unclear how many S60 Polestar sedans it has sold.

Both models are powered by the same 257kW/500Nm 3.0-litre T6 transverse petrol six with twin-scroll Borg Warner turbo, intercooler and 2.5-inch stainless steel exhaust system, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a Polestar-tuned Haldex all-wheel drive system.

Like the original S60 Polestar, both models – including the 1822kg V60 Polestar -- are claimed to hit 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds on their way to an electronically governed 250km/h top speed, making them the hottest Volvos ever.

Chassis upgrades include 80 per cent stiffer springs relative to the standard S60 R-Design, tailored high-performance Öhlins shock absorbers, 20x8.0-inch Polestar wheels with 245/35-section tyres, 371mm ventilated front brake discs with six-piston floating Brembo calipers and Polestar-fettled traction/stability control.

A Polestar sports body kit comprises a new front splitter with optimised airflow and a new rear spoiler and diffuser, while the interior features a Polestar-specific steering wheel, seats and other details.

”All in all we have taken a major step forward in all areas, from chassis and engine to interior and exterior details. Development work has been focused on the overall package in order to create a car that you want to use every day, both from a practical and emotional perspective,” said Henrik Fries, S/V60 Polestar Technical Project Manager.

Volvo says its new performance models mark the start of an extended Polestar production model range and benefit from ongoing development of the C30 and S60 Concept cars and Australia’s S60 Polestar, including thousands of test kilometres on autobahns, southern European test tracks and the frozen ground of northern Sweden.

“We have continued our work to create a true driver’s car which is not limited only to a few specific driving conditions, but enjoyable on everything from your favourite winding roads to taking the family for a long journey, no matter summer or winter,” said Robert Dahlgren, Polestar racing and test driver.

“And in my view we have gotten very close to our goals, something that of course is best experienced first-hand behind the wheel.”

Polestar CEO Christian Dahl said the S60/V60 Polestar twins were all-weather performance cars for driving enthusiasts.

“We are proud to present the S60 and V60 Polestar. A car developed for those who share our passion at Polestar: That driving really matters and that a true driver’s car should enable you to enjoy driving all year, on all roads and in all weather conditions. This is a driver’s car for real life.

“We are all very excited and proud over our launch of two new cars as yet another step towards a range of Polestar Engineered Volvo cars available for people like us around the world.

“To do it together with Volvo, one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, is greatly satisfying and we look forward to an exciting future.”

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