Volvo V60 Polestar: Spotted
The big blue Volvo becomes even more appealing once the ravages of depreciation have set in
Both our international and UK tests praised the Polestar, but it remained a rare sight in the UK. Partly this will be because petrol estates are an even smaller niche than they used to be, but also because Volvo limited numbers so that only just over a hundred made it to the UK.
Despite that rarity, and despite Volvo probably ranking with the premium brands now, it hasn't been able to withstand the forces of depreciation. While expensive, accomplished cars are all the more appealing at a much lower price, the original V60 Polestar arguably has additional kudos as a secondhand buy because its replacement has lost two cylinders. Oh sure, the new four-cylinder turbo is just as fast and more efficient - plus it's paired to a much smarter automatic - but it won't ever sound as good as the old straight-six turbo. While pleasant from inside, it was passers-by that got the best bit of the V60's noise: there was turbo whoosh with smooth and sharp straight-six, at a volume far louder than anyone would have expected. It sounded great, actually.
Now while the V60 didn't revolutionise the fast estate market - the gearbox was a bit sluggish and it remained pretty heavy - it was a very likeable car. Approaching three years after its introduction, the earliest examples look very tempting: this Rebel Blue car is £28,500 after 25,000 miles, £22,000 less than its original RRP. Granted, it's hardly plummeted in value; however without the rather scary £50K pricetag attached to it, the Polestar looks rather more tempting.
This particular V60 holds a special place in PH hearts because it is the old long-term Polestar. Well, the first one at least, until Volvo took it because it was accumulating too many miles... We liked it that much! Make your own comments about how press treat test cars now. In reality it spent most of its time on the motorway, although it did venture out to Bedford just the once...
With just another 10,000 miles on it since it left PH, the Polestar has probably led a comfortable life being a dealer exec's ride or something similar. The generic dealer ad doesn't tell us much about the car, though you would assume it's been well cared for given its former life as a press wagon.
Put simply, the big blue Volvo looks like a rather nice place to spend your £28,500. Given demand won't exactly be high, any prospective buyer will surely be in a strong negotiating position too. Just don't forget it needs a lot of fuel!
There are other options though, as always. This Audi S4Black Edition (in red) is a year older than the Volvo but a similar mileage and £28K; this 335i Touring is the only one on PH and close to £20K by dint of its greater use; and for full bargain barge points, what about an Insignia VXR? This Sports Tourer was registered last year and has 4,000 miles - it's priced at £25,995.
For the rarity value and the fast Volvo cool factor, the Volvo would probably be our choice though. It won't be as dynamic as the BMW (or probably the Audi either) and the Vauxhall is better value, but that Polestar Volvo is a damn fine car. Let's see what they can conjure up next!
VOLVO V60 POLESTAR
Engine: 2,953cc 6-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 350@5,250rpm
Torque (lb ft): 369@3,000-4,750rpm
MPG: 27.7 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 237g/km
First registered: 2014
Recorded mileage: 25,000 miles
Price new: £49,775 (plus options)
Yours for: £28,500
See the original advert here.
Spent the last 12 months going through various options of what to replace my Audi with and these have a nagging appeal because they're rare and 99% of people was brush them off as just another Volvo, The kit these thing have as well is amazing, pretty much fully loaded as standard. I almost jumped at a 6 month old one with 8k on the clock for 32K, that's depreciation I'm glad I didn't have!...the wife is yet to be convinced lol
...have just realised this is the only photo I have of it, creeping in the background, which is odd as I usually get bombarded every time he washes a car.
The V60 Polestar always seemed to be one of those cars that was more than the sum of its parts, at least that is the impression I got from the majority of its press tests. Volvo should've been given more credit for sticking a stonking 3.0 turbo in something not much bigger than a Focus estate. It's a shame they've decided to scrap the engine in the latest version, an engine built by Ford in Bridgend, Wales. Should've just stuck with the gearbox update in my view.
Would I have one if I had that money burning a hole in my pocket? You betcha!
I agree entirely!
Have liked the polestar, been keeping an eye on the prices. As mentioned above 28.5k still seems a bit much for a Volvo which I'd probably find difficult to move on.
15 plate black 17500 miles £29890
15 plate white 13459 miles £33000 (seems high to me)
16 plate black 6000 miles 34000
prices still a bit high for me - but as the newish one is out now / soon should see these dip a bit.
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