Volvo has revealed details of its fastest ever production car, the Polestar V60 estate, first deliveries of which will begin in Q4 of 2016.
The Volvo V60 Polestar estate is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged lump, replacing the much less efficient (but amazing sounding) 3.0-litre straight-six. Power is 362bhp, up from its predecessor’s 350bhp, and torque is 470Nm.
Specifically, it’s an enhanced version of the Drive-E powertrain, which Volvo’s tuning arm Polestar has enhanced with a bigger turbo, new conrods, new camshafts, new larger air intake and a higher-capacity fuel pump.
Polestar has also added a BorgWamer four-wheel drive system and a Polestar-optimised eight-speed Geartronic automatic, replacing the maligned manual gearbox of old. All revisions give the V60 estate a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.
There have also been changes to the car that make it lighter, saving a total of 24 kilos over the front axle and 20 kilos overall compared with its predecessor. It is also said to have improved weight distribution so it should handle better, too.
Although more powerful and quicker, the benefit of a smaller engine and big turbo means it’s cheaper to run. Volvo claims up to 34.9mpg (significantly better than the old 27.7mpg) and 186g/km of CO2 emissions.
Other revisions include 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels, Polestar-calibrated electro-assisted power steering and front brake discs sized at 371mm.
Polestar chief operating officer, Niels Möller, said of the V60 and S60 Polestar models: “These cars are properly quick. But they are more than that.”
He added: “They combine Polestar’s 20-year racing pedigree with Volvo’s inherent pragmatism and engineering heritage. These are very quick cars that you can use every day of the year.”
Volvo will announce full UK specifications and a price ‘at a later date’, but said it will still sneak in under £50,000, meaning it will be around the price of the older model, which went from £49,785. Around 1,500 will be built so it’s going to be rare.
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