Forget any preconceived notions about Volvo only building safe, tame vehicles: this version of the S60 sedan can top 186 mph. The car in question is a concept car produced by Polestar, which promised last week that it would unveil a modified version of the Volvo S60.
Longstanding Volvo partner Polestar teased the car on Facebook, and the concept made its debut this weekend in Gothenburg, Sweden. Almost every part of the regular Volvo S60 sedan has been upgraded, beginning with the engine. The turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine benefits from larger turbochargers, a new intake manifold, stronger connecting rods, and a new exhaust. Peak outputs are now 508 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque. The S60 Polestar uses a specially upgraded six-speed manual transmission, and a reinforced Haldex all-wheel-drive system.
Polestar says the tweaked S60 will rocket to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds — and on to a top speed of 186 mph. The hottest factory Volvo S60, the 2012 R-Design model, produces 325 hp and 354 lb-ft. Volvo says it will reach 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and manage a comparatively tame 130 mph.
Commensurate chassis upgrades begin with stronger anti-sway bars, a width front and rear track, stiffer engine mounts and bushings, 19-inch Polestar wheels with performance tires, and Öhlins shock absorbers. Polestar also lowered the car’s ride height by 1.18 inches and reprogrammed the electric power steering. To counter the new-found accelerative force, the S60 Polestar benefits from larger brakes: 15.0-inch discs with Brembo calipers in front, 11.9 inch discs with Polestar calipers in the back.
As was revealed by the Facebook teaser photo, the S60 Polestar wears striking electric-blue paint, along with a wind-tunnel tested body kit, carbon-fiber diffuser, and fender flares that widen the car by 0.8 inch. The interior has Polestar-designed bucket seats, and Alcantara covering for the shifter, steering wheel, and seats.
“It is, by far, the most impressive street Volvo I’ve ever driven,” Polestar race driver Robert Dahlgren said in a statement. “But I must also say that the genuine Volvo feeling is still there.”
The car shown off in Sweden was a one-off commissioned by a Polestar customer. If there’s sufficient market interest, the company might consider building more copies on a limited basis. Sadly, that means this hotted-up model probably won’t be coming to showrooms in the U.S.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
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