Volvo S60 Polestar to cost $110K

The hottest Volvo ever has been launched in Australia, priced at $109,950 plus on-road costs.

While that makes it cheaper than expected, the S60 Polestar is about $28,000 pricier than the milder Polestar-fettled S60 T6 previously sold here at around $82,000, and almost $35,000 more than the most expensive S60 currently available, the T6 R-Design ($75,490).

Just 50 examples of the limited-edition Australia-only sports sedan will be available from later this month and the only option will be a sunroof ($2650).

As we reported when we first drove the S60 Polestar in Sweden in April, the world’s first full road car from Volvo’s performance and motorsport partner, Polestar, was developed exclusively for the Australian market as a pilot project that could lead to other hot Volvo models both here and abroad.

Powered by a 3.0-litre transverse turbo-six outputting 257kW at 5700rpm and more than 500Nm of torque between 2800 and 4750rpm, Volvo claims the all-wheel drive S60 Polestar sprints to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds on its way to an electronically limited 250km/h top speed.

Volvo launched its wildest ever model today in Brisbane, where it also announced it will field two similar-looking V8-powered race cars in the 2014 Australian V8 Supercars Championship.

Motoring.com.au Editor-in-Chief Mike Sinclair’s invitation to the event was withdrawn after we broke news of the landmark V8 Supercar deal earlier this month.

Volvo claims the S60 Polestar, which doesn’t quite match the 373kW output of the S60 Polestar Concept shares technology with Polestar race cars currently competing in the Swedish Touring Car Championship and, previously, the World Touring Car Championship.

Other vital statistics include a Polestar-tuned six-speed automatic transmission with launch control and a Polestar-tuned Haldex AWD system. Engine upgrades include a bigger Borg Warner turbo, new intercooler, revised engine mapping and 2.5-inch stainless full-flow exhaust system with 3.5-inch outlets. Dry weight is 1684kg and combined fuel consumption is listed at 10.2L/100km.

Other specific chassis items include two-way adjustable Ohlins suspension dampers, a carbonfibre-reinforced strut brace, 80 per cent stiffer springs, new front and rear stabiliser bars, new rear tie blades, new rear toe link arms and 336x29mm ventilated front brake discs and 302x22mm ventilated rear rotors with Polestar callipers and performance pads.

Wheels are 8.0x19-inch ET51 Polestar graphite alloys with 235/40 R19 Bridgestone Potenza RE 050A tyres, and the hottest S60 will be available in just four paint colours: solid Rebel Blue, Passion Red and Ice White, and metallic Black Sapphire.

Other unique features include sports seats with heated black leather upholstery with power adjustment including memory, a Polestar-badged leather-wrapped steering wheel with limited-edition numbered plate, leather-clad gearshifter with Polestar badging, Polestar front door treadplates and performance sport pedals.

Polestar emblems also adorn the front grille, rear bootlid, spoiler and engine cover, while black door mirrors covers are fitted.

An extensive standard equipment list includes a 10-speaker premium Dolby Pro Logic II Surround sound system, seven-inch colour multi-media screen, Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity with audio streaming and Volvo Navigation System (VNS) with voice control.

Standard safety fare extends to Lane Departure Warning, Active High Beam Control, Forward Collision Warning and Road Sign Information, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake including Queue Assist with Pedestrian Detection, City Safety and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS).

Naturally, there’s also an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Ready Alert Brakes (RAB), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and emergency brake light, Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC), Advanced Stability Control (ASC), twin front airbags, Inflatable Curtain (IC) airbags, Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) and Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS).

Furthermore, the S60 Polestar comes with bi-xenon Active Bending Lights (ABL) with washers, a reversing camera, front/rear parking sensors, rain sensor with tunnel detection, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, electric park brake with drive-away release, front/rear armrests with cup-holders and storage, remote central locking, keyless entry/starting and Volvo Guard Alarm with interior movement sensor.

Volvo Car Australia Managing Director Matt Braid said the S60 Polestar would thrust the once-staid Scandinavian brand into a new market segment in Australia, where demand for performance cars remains strong.

“The Australian market for performance cars is – and always been – strong,” he said. “We are delighted to be able to offer our customers the Volvo S60 Polestar, a car more than capable of getting into the thick of the action in this competitive segment of the market.

“The work done by Polestar on the S60 is impressive to say the least – they have transformed the already fun to drive Volvo S60 into a great handling driver’s car. Its point-to-point ability – in all weather – is second to none.”

Volvo says a new aerodynamic package including a front splitter, rear wing and diffuser was developed in the Volvo Car Group wind tunnel by the Volvo R&D team.

“We have built a car that we, as car enthusiasts, want to drive,” said Polestar Managing Director, Christian Dahl.

“This is a driver’s car, bringing out the very best of the already competent Volvo S60 chassis with our experience and technology from motorsport.

“We received a fantastic response to our Volvo C30 and S60 Polestar concept cars, so we’re happy to now introduce our first production car to the Australian market. This is an important step forward for Polestar, one that promises an exciting future.”

Volvo said the S60 Polestar’s chassis development program included thousands of kilometres in Europe -- from German autobahns to twisty backroads in southern Spain and the freezing cold of northern Sweden – and extensive testing by 33-year-old Volvo Polestar Racing veteran Robert Dahlgren.

“The Volvo S60 Polestar is a car that we are truly proud of, our first step to a ‘mainstream’ car available to customers,” he said.

“We have taken the best bits of the standard S60 T6 and our S60 Polestar Concept Car, and created a vehicle that puts a smile on your face every time you drive it over your favourite twisty road.

“At the same time, it is more than capable of everyday driving, too. It is, in my eyes, a very good combination of the Volvo and Polestar core values: safety and performance.”

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