Volvo’s firebrand S60 Polestar gets even better

VOLVO’S experiment to spice up its Australian line-up with limited-edition models has stepped up another notch, with the Swedish premium car-maker announcing an even more hardcore S60 Polestar priced the same as the current model.

Developed by Volvo’s motorsport partner Polestar, the new version of the warmed-over mid-size sedan priced at $109,950, adds features such as paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, beefier Brembo brakes featuring six-pot front calipers wrapped around 370mm floating discs, and high-performance pads front and rear, and a more premium-looking interior than the version it replaces.

On sale in April, the updated S60 Polestar was launched in Australia to coincide with Volvo’s debut in the V8 Supercars championship in Adelaide last weekend, adding a fifth badge to compete with stalwarts Ford and Holden, and relative newcomers Nissan and Erebus Motorsport, which races under the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star.

“We’re pleased to introduce the next incarnation of the Volvo S60 Polestar,” Volvo Car Australia managing director Matt Braid said.

“The luxury sedan segment in Australia is defined by significant performance variants,” he said.

“Following on the from the successful limited-edition run last year in Australia, Volvo decided to introduce unique Polestar variants on the production line for a number of markets.

“As Polestar’s test market, if you like, we are delighted to be at the forefront of Polestar’s global development as a high-performance sub-brand.”

Under the bonnet, Polestar has fitted the “T6” six-cylinder turbocharged engine with a bigger turbo, new intercooler, revised engine mapping and a racing exhaust to produce 257kW and 500Nm compared with the more pedestrian S60’s 242kW and 480Nm.

The six-speed automatic gearbox provides quick-shift gear-changes via the new gearshift paddles. In conjunction with the launch control – and Polestar-optimised Haldex AWD system – the S60 Polestar will accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds, and on to a limited top speed of 250km/h.

Polestar’s chassis upgrades include modifications to increase rigidity of the chassis, with 80 percent stiffer springs relative to a standard S60 T6 R-Design, high-performance Ohlins shock absorbers and 19-inch Polestar graphite alloy wheels.

Meanwhile, seats featuring better bolstering and more widespread use of Alcantara trim provide a better connection between the driver and the car.

Volvo Cars Australia marketing and communications director Oliver Peagam said a “handful” of the original allocation of 50 cars that launched the Polestar sub-brand in Australia remained to be sold after its June 2013 launch.