RE: Volvo V60 Polestar | PH Auction Block
RE: Volvo V60 Polestar | PH Auction Block
Thursday 28th August

Volvo V60 Polestar | PH Auction Block

A handsome, rare, capable fast estate with a big straight six up front - and not a BMW badge in sight 


The Volvo V60 Polestar was a real bolt from the Rebel Blue when it arrived a decade and a bit ago. There had been a pair of sensational Polestar concepts prior to a production model; the five-cylinder, 400hp C30 and awesome manual S60, but it was clear they were too far-fetched for showrooms. It seemed that Polestar just enjoyed showing off what could happen, if only they were set free. 

Then came the V60. If not as extreme as the concepts (not much would be), it was most certainly a proper performance overhaul, complete with more oomph from the T6 engine thanks to a new turbo, expensive Ohlins dampers, and chunky six-piston Brembo calipers on big discs. For a production run of 750 cars, just 125 of which came to the UK, the Polestarification was a significant rework. Over here, the 350hp, sub-five-second-to-62mph V60 cost £50k. 

It was decent, too, the dampers introducing a level of precision to the ride and handling absent from the standard V60. The sound from the 3.0-litre was pretty fantastic as well, thanks to a larger exhaust introduced for a bit more power. And if not the most agile fast estate in the world, there wasn’t much faster point to point. All in a package as handsome and sturdily built as this. 

Something went right for Volvo, that’s for certain, as there were two generations of V60 Polestar. But the 2.0-litre follow-up, while more powerful, efficient and keener to drive, wasn’t nearly as charming as the 3.0-litre original. With both Volvos and Polestars a very different prospect these days (there’s nothing larger than the 2.0-litre in the former’s line-up), these first Polestars have become quite collectable. 

This one must be one of the best. It’s been with its second owner for seven and a half years, who has covered 32,000 miles in that time and serviced it exclusively at main agents. The signature blue paint has been protected by paint protection film, and the V60 is still actually under an extended Volvo warranty as well. All four Michelins wear the correct ‘VOL’ marking - that’s the kind of keeper we’re talking about.

Then we’re into the really good stuff. Because the seller wasn’t content with the standard power, so this Polestar is now 420hp strong thanks to ECU tuning, intake work, a chunkier intercooler, the fitment of a PH sticker and a custom stainless steel exhaust. So imagine how good it sounds now. Torque is now 500lb ft, near as makes no difference, or a useful amount more than the standard 369. A slightly old hat six-speed auto might not seem that much of a hindrance with so much pulling power. Still showing fewer than 50,000 miles while presenting as nearly new, it’s a real gem of a V60. They certainly don’t make them like they used to - we’re lucky Polestar finally got the chance to show the world what it could do.


See the full listing

 

Author
Discussion

Ben Lowden

Original Poster:

7,071 posts

194 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
Adore these, one of my favourite long term press cars we've had at PistonHeads. Seen this one at plenty of PH events too, so great to see it for sale on here biggrin

rossub

5,219 posts

207 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
I’m surprised the gearbox can take that kind of increase, assuming it’s the same as the one in the T6.

corcoran

642 posts

291 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
Every time I see one of these (in either 3litre or 2litre) I'm amazed how they're holding their value - and who's buyin' them.

fantheman80

2,093 posts

66 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
500lb/ft??! Are we sure its that high?

Lovely motor though. Oh Polestar look what they did to you....from a 'If you know you know' little blue badge with lots of performance, to leccy storm trooper helmet cars

el romeral

1,686 posts

154 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
Nice car and strong on the curio / rarity side of things. Just a decent set of wheels away from being outstanding.

CarlosSainz100

642 posts

137 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
Isn't this also for sale on the classifieds?

Today I learnt that Volvo have their own tyres. These are great, proper understated in a if you know you know kind of way

chopper602

2,297 posts

240 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
£50k from new? When I enquired before buying mine, it swiftly lost £10k . . .

Krise

634 posts

227 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
I owned one for a few years, aside from the hideous fuel consumption 15mpg, I lived in central London at the time, it’s one of the best cars I have owned, super rare, aside from the owners club meet, I have only ever seen two on the roads in the wild, I sold it for what I paid for it, and probably would make money on it should I have kept it. If you get the chance, get one




corcoran

642 posts

291 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
Krise said:
I owned one for a few years, aside from the hideous fuel consumption 15mpg, I lived in central London at the time, it’s one of the best cars I have owned, super rare, aside from the owners club meet, I have only ever seen two on the roads in the wild, I sold it for what I paid for it, and probably would make money on it should I have kept it. If you get the chance, get one



I've hovered around this idea for a couple years but the tiny display and no obvious way to do Apple Car Play put me off.

RB Will

10,408 posts

257 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
Really like these, very nearly bought one back in 2020, had a test drive in a white one and liked it but car was in a bit of a state in general. Waited a few months for a good blue one to come up but no luck. Ended up with a new i30N instead.

nismo48

5,502 posts

224 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
el romeral said:
Nice car and strong on the curio / rarity side of things. Just a decent set of wheels away from being outstanding.
A decent looking thing and probably would show a clean pair of heels to a few other sporty estate's.

sideways man

1,534 posts

154 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
Big Volvo fan here, that would be a great upgrade from my current 5 cyl V40.

POIDH

1,987 posts

82 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
corcoran said:
I've hovered around this idea for a couple years but the tiny display and no obvious way to do Apple Car Play put me off.
£20 Brodit mount and £20 Qi2 magnetic charger and you are good to go. Mine was next to the steering wheel and easy to use on the phone screen.

WPA

12,300 posts

131 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
Lovely car, nice fast Wagen

MarkosGTV

96 posts

207 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
I like these, and have a soft spot for Volvos in general. But Volvo warranty together with a reasonable degree of modding – wouldn't be holding my breath with that one.

Black S2K

1,690 posts

266 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
WPA said:
Lovely car, nice fast Wagen
It's Vagn in Swedish!

fantheman80

2,093 posts

66 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
MarkosGTV said:
But Volvo warranty together with a reasonable degree of modding – wouldn't be holding my breath with that one.
Indeed. One plug in the ODB port would be swiftly followed by a phone call me thinks

AndySheff

6,776 posts

224 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
Black S2K said:
WPA said:
Lovely car, nice fast Wagen
It's Vagn in Swedish!
Hence the 'V' in V60 also = Vagn.
Likewise the S60 = Sedan.

If I was UK based I'd be watching this closely.

MDMA .

9,703 posts

118 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
I really like these. Surprised Volvo will still extend the warranty on it with the modifications listed (engine remap and exhaust).

NGK210

4,049 posts

162 months

Thursday 28th August
quotequote all
An ECU tune by whom, though?
Still available in the US, as a 400bhp AWD turbo petrol hybrid. Nice ‘n’ stealthy cool
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j64K6569K7U&t=52...