Volvo V60 Polestar goes global..

Excited? You should be, for the production version of Volvo’s 508bhp S60 Polestar Concept will soon be available in both saloon and V60 formats – and not just in Australia, but in all four continents around the world from the middle of 2014.

“We are proud to present the S60 and V60 Polestar,” said Christian Dahl, CEO of Polestar. “It’s a car developed for those who share our passion at Polestar: That driving really matters and that a true driver’s car should enable you to enjoy driving all year, on all roads and in all weather conditions. This is a driver’s car for real life.”

While both S60 and V60 versions will be available in certain markets, in the UK we’ll be limited to the V60 Polestar.

“We are proud to continue the heritage of fast Volvo estates like the racing 850 BTCC, a tradition deeply rooted among Volvo enthusiasts,” continued Dahl.

The S60 and V60 Polestar are available in a choice of ‘four’ colours including Rebel Blue, Bright Silver, Black Saphire and Ice White. Visit the NextPolestar showcase for further details.

The upgraded V60 Polestar maintains Volvo’s standard service program and delivers the same safety, fuel and emission performance as other models in the Volvo range.

It’s based on the latest S/V60 model with its refreshed headlights and body trim, upgrades include; 80% stiffer springs relative to the standard S60 R-Design, bespoke high performance Öhlins shock absorbers and 20-inch Polestar wheels fitted with 245/35R20 tyres.

Brakes are upgraded with six-piston Brembo calipers and 371 millimetre ventilated front discs, which should be more than enough to arrest the performance of its six-cylinder turbo-charged T6 engine.

The engine breathes through a 2.5-inch stainless steel exhaust system, making for a throaty engine sound while a new twin-scroll turbo and intercooler deliver 345 bhp with 369 lb-ft (500Nm) of torque available at 2800 rpm.

Volvo quote 0 to 62 mph acceleration in 4.9 seconds, 0 to 124 mph in 17.7 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph making it 1.3 seconds quicker to 62mph than the now-discontinued 300 bhp V60 T6.

The V60 Polestar weighs 1822 kg or around 40 kg more than the standard V60 T6 AWD.

Transmissions is the same six-speed automatic gearbox which now features Volvo’s new paddle shift system, while a Polestar-developed Haldex four-wheel drive system delivers the grip but also plenty of rear-wheel, slides should you be in the mood to indulge it.

Visually the changes are subtle, including a new front splitter, new rear spoiler and diffuser and optimised airflow underneath the car – the result is more downforce and greater stability at speed.

The Polestar family photo.

“All in all we have taken a major step forward in all areas, from chassis and engine to interior and exterior details,” said Henrik Fries, Volvo’s technical project manager for S/V60 Polestar. “Development work has been focused on the overall package in order to create a car that you want to use every day, both from a practical and emotional perspective.”

The S60 and V60 Polestar will go on sale in Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA from mid-2014, with further markets announced later next year. Final production numbers and pricing are yet to be revealed, but the greater volume should lend itself to lower prices than the £64,000 (AUS $109,950) currently charged in Australia.