Volvo teases potent S60 Polestar Engineered
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 15th Jun 2018
VOLVO has continued to tease the third-generation S60 ahead of its reveal on June 20, with the sedan confirmed to usher in a performance-focused Polestar Engineered flagship grade for all mid-size 60-series models, including the XC60 SUV and V60 wagon.
The new addition to the incoming S60 range is significant considering the Polestar sub-brand has been spun off by Volvo as a standalone electrified performance brand, but their affiliation – most notably seen on the current-generation S60/V60 Polestar – will carry on.
According to Volvo Cars president and chief executive officer Hakan Samuelsson, Polestar Engineered is just one of the first steps in the new relationship between Volvo and Polestar.
“Electric cars are our future,” he said. “Today starts a new era of Volvo electrified models enhanced by Polestar’s performance engineering prowess. This strategy is firmly grounded in our shared belief in an electric future for the car industry.”
Based on the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, Polestar Engineered features an uprated petrol-electric powertrain that produces a BMW M3-rivalling 309kW of power and 670Nm of torque, up 11kW and 30Nm. Conversely, the S60/V60 Polestar develops 270kW and 470Nm in its most potent form.
In order to achieve Polestar Engineered’s increased outputs, the Swedish car-maker has retuned the set-up’s Engine Control Unit (ECU) and eight-speed torque-convertor automatic transmission. Improved fuel consumption and emissions-neutral performance is also promised.
Polestar Engineered is visually distinguished by its Y-spoke alloy wheel design, gold-painted Brembo mono-bloc callipers, slotted discs, black-chrome exhaust pipes, gold seatbelts and Polestar badging.
The multi-link front and rear suspension adds adjustable Ohlins shock absorbers “with a dual-flow valve that allows stiffening in the springs and dampeners while retaining comfort”, according to Volvo. The designs of the strut bar and shock absorber are shared with the Polestar 1 sportscar.
Volvo Cars senior vice-president of research and development Henrik Green added that Polestar Engineered delivers on its performance brief.
“The new S60 T8 Polestar Engineered is an electrified car that does what you want it to,” he said. “All components have been fine-tuned to work together, delivering a responsive and exciting driver’s car.”
Given it is the first Volvo model to be manufactured in the United States, the S60 will be revealed at the inauguration of the marque’s plant in Charleston, South Carolina, while its mechanically related V60 counterpart broke cover at the Geneva motor show in March this year.
The S60 – including Polestar Engineered – will officially enter production in the third quarter this year, while Polestar Engineered versions of the XC60 and V60 will start being built in 2019.
As previously reported, the S60 will be the first Volvo model to not be developed with a diesel powerplant, marking the company’s first step towards phasing out internal-combustion engines.
However, the model’s future in Australia remains undecided, with Volvo Cars Australia managing director Nick Connor telling GoAuto last month that the suitability of the S60 and V60 continues to be reviewed due to the increasing popularity of SUVs, such as the XC60.
Sales of the S60 have taken a significant hit this year during its run-out, with 29 examples sold to the end of May, representing a 65.5 per cent decrease over the 84 deliveries made during the same period in 2017.
