New Volvo S60 Polestar Performance Concept

The highly anticipated Volvo S60 Polestar performance concept made its world premiere on Saturday on the sidelines of the Gothenburg City Race in Sweden.

The first thing you will need to know about the performance version of the S60 is that it is a one off model developed by Volvo Cars Official Motorsports and its racing and tuning partner Polestar for an as of yet unnamed client.

However, there's a ray of light for those that are gawking at this concept as the two brands stated that "a small series of Polestar modified S60s may be built pending market response". So in other words, if you like it, let the company know it. You can start by our comments section...

Now, to the juicier details of the S60 Polestar starting with the powertrain. While some sources believed that it may use the XC90's Yamaha-built V8, Polestar based the car on the S60 T6.

The regular model is motivated by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six delivering 300hp (304PS) to all-four wheels for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h (155mph).

The Swedes, however, made a whole lot of changes to the inline-six including modified cylinder head, combustion chambers, inlet manifold and air intake along with a larger Garret 3171 turbo, and as a result, the engine produces 508-horsepower at 6,500rpm and 575Nm (424 lb-ft) at 5,500rpm.

Polestar then lowered, widened and reinforced the chassis and also tuned the Haldex all-wheel drive system and Öhlins suspension and fitted the car with bigger Brembo brakes. Power is channeled to the wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The company quotes a 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of just 3.9 seconds and a top speed in excess of 300km/h (186+mph).

By comparison, the current Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG that is powered by a 451hp (457PS) 6.3-liter V8 hits 100km/h in 4.4 seconds and tops out at 250km/h (155mph - electronically limited).

On the outside, the S60's body was widened by 20mm on both ends and features a styling kit comprising flared wheel arches housing 19-inch rims in 265/30 R19 tires, a new front bumper with a splitter, side skirts, a discreet boot lid spoiler and a new rear bumper with a diffuser.

As for the interior, the performance S60 gets Polestar designed sport seats with increased support, Alcantara on all functional areas such as the steering wheel, gear knob, and seats plus a lowered center console lowered for improved gear-lever ergonomics.

Robert Dahlgren, Volvo Polestar racing driver, commented after taking the car for a spin:

 "To me the Volvo S60 is a very well sorted car from start. In our concept car we have developed chassis, engine and transmission just like we want it, and the result is a huge leap forward in terms of handling and performance. It is, by far, the most impressive street Volvo I’ve ever driven. But I must also say that the genuine Volvo feeling is still there."

    Technical specification
    Performance
        # 0-100 km/h 3.9s
        # Top speed more than 300km/h

    Engine
        # Volvo T6 inline six (B6304T4)
        # 508 hp @ 6500rpm
        # 575Nm @ 5500rpm
        # Max rpm: 7100
        # Modified cylinder head and combustion chambers
        # Modified inlet manifold and air intake
        # Special manufactured conrods
        # Garret 3171 turbo
        # Ferrita 3.5” stainless steel exhaust system

    Drive train

        # Reinforced M66C (close ratio) manual 6-speed gear box.
        # Haldex E-LSD in rear
        # Haldex Gen4 XWD

    Chassis
        # Tires 265/30R19
        # Rims Polestar 9,5X19”
        # Chassis lowered 30mm
        # Öhlins 3- way shock absorbers
        # Reinforced anti-roll bar front and rear
        # Track width increased 20 mm front and 40 mm rear
        # Polestar-tuned EHPAS steering
        # Stabilising X- members, front and rear.
        # Modified control-arms with uniballs front and rear.
        # Reinforced bushings in sub-frame and control-arms
        # Modified engine mounts

    Weight

        # Total weight 1640kg and optimized weight distribution

    Brakes

        # bFront Polestar-Brembo 6 piston calipers, 380 mm ventilated discs
        # Rear Polestar-Volvo calipers, 302 mm ventilated discs
        # Brake cooling air intakes from front

    Aerodynamics

        # Based on tests in Volvo’s wind-tunnel
        # Lowered front splitter and larger rear spoiler to reduce high speed lift
        # Carbon fiber diffusor
        # Body 20 mm widened front and rear

    Interior

        # Polestar designed seats with increased support. Alcantara on all functional areas steering wheel,      gear      knob, and seats to ensure maximum grip.
       #  Centre console lowered for optimised gear-lever ergonomics.