Step into the shoes of WTCC with S60 Polestar
Polestar, Volvo’s performance division, has found a way to spice things up for its tired and wrinkled S60 model.
Volvo S60 Polestar – which is different to Polestar Performance Parts – is available in South Africa as a limited run of just 45 units. For the 2017 model year, the Volvo S60 follows in the footsteps of the original 3.0-litre version, of which only 28 found homes on our shores.
The new 2.0-litre Drive-E turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine has been developed alongside a 1.6-litre version of the same engine which currently powers the Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 racing cars piloted by Thed Björk and Robert Dahlgren in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Furthermore, the Volvo S60 Polestar shares the chassis and engineering philosophy with the racing version.
Thed Björk elaborates: “While used in vastly different areas, these cars share more than just technology. The core philosophy is the same, developed by people with the same passion. It is about creating performance that can be used in all situations, no matter whether it’s about winning a championship or being able to enjoy a safe, functional and fun-to-drive car all year round.”
The Volvo S60 Polestar develops a whopping 270kW at 6000 rpm and 470 Nm of torque available between 3 100 and 5 000 rpm, giving it a 4.7 seconds sprint from 0-100km/h and top speed remains electronically limited to 250 km/h. All that power is accessible through a new 8-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox which sends power to all four wheels.
Coupled to launch control, which unleashes the car’s full potential with rapid acceleration and punchier gear changes, the new 2016 Volvo S60 Polestar easily exploits its new Drive-E power.
The performance and output gains have been achieved thanks to a bigger turbo, new conrods, new camshafts, a larger intake and a higher-capacity fuel pump, compared to the same engine in a standard S60 T6 AWD.
Naturally, an improvement in efficiency is most notable with the switch to a Drive-E powertrain. Average fuel economy on the combined cycle has been reduced to 7.8-litres/100km and carbon emissions have come down to 179g/km – a significant reduction of 22.5 per cent.
Polestar was able to shed some weight off the sedan without it being that obvious. Volvo S60 Polestar is now 24 kg lighter over the front axle and 20 kg lighter in total compared to the previous model. Other new features on the car include 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels, Polestar-calibrated electro-assisted power steering and racy slotted front brake discs, measuring 371mm in diameter.
Brake callipers are by Polestar/Brembo and feature six pistons up front and four at the rear. The big brands in motorsport continue to add pedigree to this S60 with adjustable suspension designed by Öhlins.
Naturall this Volvo also features a complete arsenal of safety equipment as standard, including six airbags, ABS, EBA, BAS, HAS, ESC and IntelliSafe, which besides City Safety (AEB) includes the likes of Lane Departure Warning, Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Alert, Road Sign Information and a Driver Alert system.
Henrik Fries, Vice President R&D at Polestar, concludes: “All changes made to the car are about improving drivability and efficiency. The base of the new engine carries motorsport technology with solutions like the combination of turbo and supercharger, lightweight materials and more. This works hand-in-hand with our core philosophy and has enabled us to evolve the Volvo S60 Polestar.”
The new Volvo S60 Polestar retails in South Africa for a recommended R749 500 which continues to include a 5-year/ 100 000 km full vehicle warranty, a 5-year/ 100 000 km full maintenance plan, laminated glass and Tracker Connect. The new car is now also available in four colours, including Rebel Blue, Bright Silver, Ice White and Onyx Black.
