Monday 18th June 2012

Volvo S60 Polestar: official details

M3-rivalling S60 unveiled in Sweden

---

Following much speculation and some grainy spy shots, official pictures have now emerged of a Volvo S60 Polestar Performance Concept.

Reportedly created for 'one special client', the Polestar S60 appears to be unashamedly directed at the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG. Nowhere is this more evident than under the bonnet.

Sadly (perhaps), the rumour that a performance-oriented S60 would feature the XC90's 4.4-litre V8 has proven false, but Polestar and Volvo have instead attached a Garrett turbo to the existing T6 powerplant. It must be one gigantic turbo, though, as it has boosted the cooking T6's power and torque figures by a huge 208hp and 99lb ft. The resulting outputs are a frankly ludicrous 508hp and 424 lb ft.

These are enough, says Polestar, for the S60 to run from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 'more than' 300km/h (186mph). Interestingly, drive is provided through a six-speed manual gearbox, a nice concession to the enthusiast in a world of performance autos.

As with the previous C30-based Polestar Performance Concept, the modifications to create this S60 are far more extensive than just bolting a turbo on. The body itself sits 30mm lower and the tracks have been increased by 20mm at the front and 40mm at the rear, whilst the Haldex four-wheel drive system has also been revised. Suspension changes come courtesy of Ohlins, and comprises three-way adjustable springs and dampers. The front brakes have been upgraded to a massive 380mm, the rotors gripped by six-pot Brembo calipers. And on top of all this, the S60 PCC is also around 90kg lighter than the US-spec car it's based upon.

The official word from Polestar is that a saloon like the PCC could make series production depending on market response. So, if you like it, get badgering your Volvo dealer now!

[khushy]

Volvo "M3 Rival" . . . please LOL!!!

khushy

[Robmarriott]

That's never making production with that power. I don't believe it for a second.

[ewenm]

Looks interesting, good luck to Volvo/Polestar overcoming the badge-hurdle to sell cars in the M/AMG/RS market.

[thewheelman]

I like it, & 0-60 in 3.9 seconds! Very brave to release a car & aim for an icon such as the M3. Good luck to 'em.

[DanDC5]

Going on just looks I'd take that over anything German.

[Speed_Demon]

Looks good and with a big ol' turbo? Sounds like fun to me

[mylesmcd]

looks good! Different colour and it would be epic!


Price anyone??

[anonymous-user]

thewheelman said:

I like it, & 0-60 in 3.9 seconds! Very brave to release a car & aim for an icon such as the M3. Good luck to 'em.

Only the Caddy comes close on performance figures!

[ian_touring]

A modern-day turbobrick, maybe it will generate some demand, given how durable the old (2.3 fours?) are.

[Triumph Man]

ian_touring said:

A modern-day turbobrick, maybe it will generate some demand, given how durable the old (2.3 fours?) are.

fives

[Robmarriott]

Triumph Man said:

fives

The redblock fours might as well have been made from granite too...

[P4ROT]

Love that colour scheme- nice to see there's still a few skunkworks around with the balls to make a business case for a performance car (without mentioning the words 'green' or 'economy' in the press release).

[Baryonyx]

That is absolutely fantastic. Manual gearbox too, does it get any better?

[Triumph Man]

I want that Volvo! When dad had the original S60, I was a little bit of a fanboy (sorry!), then they started going a bit 'poncy'. This, however, is brilliant!

[FamilyDub]

I think there could be a market (albeit limited) for the C30 and this version.

How bad must the turbo lag be, though?

[Krikkit]

Want. Lovely looking thing now it's been tickled to look a bit more aggressive.

[flatline84]

Gearknob looks as if it has gone through several digestive systems - possibly more than once.

[Triumph Man]

flatline84 said:

Gearknob looks as if it has gone through several digestive systems - possibly more than once.

It looks like it's come from my grandad's old 1987 Toyota Camry...

[anonymous-user]

khushy said:

Volvo "M3 Rival" . . . please LOL!!!

khushy

I wouldn't write Volve off that quickly. Remember what people thought when they entered an estate version of a T5 into touring cars ?

[anonymous-user]

If they are using the T6 engine I hope they've massively reworked it, they're not exactly renowned for being tough like the T5 and earlier engines were.

I'd buy one. In five years when it's depreciated into a performance car bargain, obviously.