Heading to U.S. showrooms shortly, the Polestar-prepped 2017 Volvo S60 Sedan and V60 Wagon models benefit from a slick dual-pronged performance bump, gaining more output from their new supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter/4-cylinder engines while shedding unnecessary mass in ways that assist acceleration and balance. The changes come with news that Polestar, which serves as Volvo’s international motorsport partner, will expand its global scope from 13 to 47 countries and increase annual production from 750 to 1,500 units. There’s no word yet on how many are destined for America.
More muscle
The Polestar upgrades on Volvo’s new Drive-E engine include a bigger turbo, revised connecting rods, re-profiled camshafts, a larger air intake and a higher-capacity fuel pump. Those revamps raise the pony count to 367 compared to the 302 horses of its standard T6 counterpart and move peak torque from 295 to 347 lb-ft. Backed by a paddle-shift 8-speed automatic transmission and a BorgWarner AWD system – both suitably massaged by Polestar – this more potent motivator can take these hotter S60/V60 variants from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and on to an electronically capped top speed of 155 mph.
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The transition from the 345-horsepower/3.0-liter inline-6 turbo engine used in the previous-generation 60-Series Polestar Volvos to the more compact Drive-E four also netted a significant reduction in curb weight that trimmed 53 pounds off the front axle and cut 44 pounds overall. In addition to boasting a full Polestar chassis retune, this pair of Swedish speedsters also benefit from recalibrated electro-assisted power steering and larger slotted brake rotors on the Brembo brakes. Rounding out the remake are 20-inch lightweight alloys wrapped in sticky Z-rated 245/35 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
Available in Rebel Blue, Black Sapphire, Ice White and Bright Silver, the top-shelf editions of the Volvo S60 and and its wagon twin feature aero-optimizing Polestar-designed front splitters, rear spoilers and lower diffusers. The cabin treatment, rendered largely in charcoal Alcantara and Nubuck, also boasts unique Polestar graphic touches on the deeply bolstered sport seats, sport steering wheel, shifter knob, door panels, rubber-studded aluminum pedals/footrest and carpets plus a carbon fiber center stack. Pricing for the 2017 Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar models is still being finalized, as it their official on-sale date.
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