First production Volvo S60 Polestar shown off

Thu, 18 Apr 2013

With the Volvo S60 Polestar going on sale in Australia this June, Volvo has finally released images and specs for the production version of the performance sedan. While no official build number has been announced, one image of the car's steering wheel shows a serial number plaque that says "No. 000/100" indicating that production will likely be limited to just 100 units in Australia. The press release states that the Australia run of Polestar-tuned S60s is a "pilot project" and that other potential markets are "under investigation."

Although it looks very similar to the S60 Polestar Concept we first saw at the LA Auto Show last year, the production version of the car sports a few changes. Visually, the front and rear fascias have been slightly modified from the concept car, as have the matte-black wheels. Inside, we see a different steering wheel that adds the aforementioned build sequence plaque but loses the suede leather accents, and there is also a sportier looking shift lever with a chrome handle that features a Polestar logo.

As for performance figures, rather than the 508-horsepower of the S60 Polestar Concept, the production version will be limited to 350 hp and more than 368 pound-feet of torque, which is still an improvement of about 25 hp and at least 14 lb-ft over a 2013 S60 R-Design. Polestar also tuned the six-speed automatic transmission and Haldex all-wheel-drive system for optimal performance leading to a top speed of 155 miles per hour and a 0-62 mph time of 4.9 seconds. The production S60 Polestar will still get suspension, brake and aerodynamic upgrades.

For the full list of vehicle specs, scroll down for the official press release, and while pricing has yet to be announced, it will likely be far less than the $300,000 someone reportedly paid for the S60 Polestar Concept.

Introducing the world-first production version of the Volvo S60 Polestar

Developed from 17 years of motorsport experience, and sharing DNA with the 508bhp Volvo S60 Polestar Concept Car, the first road car from Polestar to be put into production is here - the Volvo S60 Polestar.

"We have built a car that we, as car enthusiasts, want to drive," says Christian Dahl, Managing Director of Polestar. "This is a driver's car, bringing out the very best of the already competent Volvo S60 chassis with our experience and technology from motorsport.

"We received a fantastic response to our Volvo C30 and S60 Polestar concept cars, so we are very happy to now introduce our first production car to the Australian market. This is an important step forward for Polestar, one that promises an exciting future."

Australia pilot market for limited edition project

A limited production run has been developed exclusively for the Australian market as a pilot project, with the first cars being delivered to customers in late June 2013. Introduction of the Volvo S60 Polestar to further markets is under investigation pending the response of the Australian introduction.

"The Australian market for performance cars is, and has always been, strong," says Matt Braid, Managing Director of Volvo Cars Australia. "We are delighted to be able to offer our customers the Volvo S60 Polestar, a car more than capable of getting into the thick of the action in this competitive segment of the market.

"The work done by Polestar on the S60 is impressive to say the least - they have transformed the already fun to drive Volvo S60 into a great handling driver's car."

Extensive chassis development - by racing drivers

Key to the development of the Volvo S60 Polestar was the extensive work done on the chassis over thousands of test kilometers in Europe - from the fast autobahns in Germany to the twisty roads of southern Spain, and the freezing cold of northern Sweden.

Volvo Polestar Racing driver Robert Dahlgren, a 33-year-old Swede with 10 years as a Volvo factory racing driver under his belt, has been an integral part of the development work.

"The Volvo S60 Polestar is a car that we are truly proud of, our first step to a production car available to the customers," said Robert Dahlgren, Volvo Polestar Racing driver.

"We have taken the best bits of the standard S60 T6 and our S60 Polestar Concept Car, creating a vehicle that puts a smile on your face when you drive it over your favourite twisty road. At the same time, it is more than capable of everyday driving, too.

"This is, in my eyes, a very good combination of the Volvo and Polestar core values: safety and performance."

Cutting-edge technology straight from the racetrack

Just as important as the men and women from Polestar who developed the car is the technology underneath it.

The Volvo S60 Polestar shares technology from the Polestar racing cars, like dampers from Öhlins, high capacity brakes, and the extensively developed, highly-tuned chassis.

A new aerodynamic package has also been developed, including a front splitter, rear wing and diffuser - all having been tweaked and modified in the Volvo Car Group wind tunnel in collaboration with the Volvo Research and Development team.

The six-cylinder turbo-charged Volvo T6 engine has been optimised by Polestar with a bigger turbo, new intercooler, revised engine mapping and racing exhaust to produce 350bhp or 257kW and 500+Nm.

The S60 Polestar accelerates from 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds, via a Polestar-tuned six-speed automatic gearbox - which also features a launch control system - and a Polestar-tuned Haldex 4WD system. The car is governed to a top speed of 250km/h.

Technical Specifications

Performance

0-100 km/h 4.9 sec
Top speed 250 km/h - limited

Engine

6-cylinder inline T6 engine, 2953 cc
257kw (350bhp) @ 5700 rpm
500+Nm @ 2800-4750rpm
Max 6500 RPM
Polestar engine software
New Borg Warner turbo
New intercooler
2.5" stainless full-flow exhaust system with 3.5" tail pipes.

Chassis

Polestar Öhlins, 2-way adjustable shock absorbers
Upgraded springs
60N/mm front, 65N/mm rear. (80% stiffer than stock)
Upgraded stabilizers front and rear
Upgraded rear tie blades
Upgraded top mount in front and rear
Upgraded toe link arms in rear
Strut brace with carbonfiber enforcement
235/40R19, Michelin Pilot Super Sport
Bespoke Polestar rims, 8x19" ET51

Weight

1684kg - same as standard S60 T6 R-Design

Drivetrain

AWF21 automatic gearbox
oLaunch control
Modified transmission software for faster shifts and launch control
Modified AWD software for more rear torque

Brakes

Front:
336x29 mm ventilated discs
Jurid 958 performance brake pad
Rear:
302x22 mm ventilated discs
HP2000 Brembo performance brake pads

Aero

New Polestar front splitter corners
New Polestar rear spoiler
New Polestar diffuser

Interior/Exterior

Polestar door trims
Polestar badge on front grille
Polestar badge on boot
Polestar gear shift knob
Polestar badge on engine
Polestar limited edition plate on door sills and steering wheel
Black outside mirror covers

By Jeffrey N. Ross