Volvo’s performance offshoot, Polestar, is well into its performance hybrid offensive, having announced production dates for both its Model 3-rivalling 2 and 600bhp 1. Ties with its origins haven’t been completely severed, however, as Volvo is now offering fettled ‘Polestar Engineered’ variants of its hybrid range.
Available for electrified versions of the S60 mid-sized saloon, V60 estate and XC60 SUV, the Polestar tweaks add more power, aesthetic enhancements and performance-boosting components. These upgrades make the Polestar Engineered S60 T8 the fastest-accelerating production Volvo ever.
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Power from the brand’s T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain has been taken from 390bhp to just shy of 400 and 494lb ft of torque, figures that apply to all three models. The S60 will now sprint from standstill to 62mph in 4.4sec, the V60 in 4.6 and the XC60 SUV in a respectable 5.4 – all whilst achieving a pure-electric range of 27.3 miles.
Aside from a bump in power, Polestar’s boffins have also given the models uprated Brembo or Akebono brakes, complete with recognisably Polestar gold calipers. Öhlins adjustable shock absorbers and strut bars (lifted straight from the 600bhp Polestar 1), lightweight forged wheels (19-inch for S60 and V60, 21-inch for XC60), and a fettled automatic transmission for quicker shifts are also included.
Elsewhere, the models see the addition of various aesthetic enhancements to set them apart from their standard counterparts. A more aggressive black front grille surround, black chrome exhaust tips, gold accents and Polestar branding is added throughout. A handful of equipment, usually optional, also comes as standard on Polestar Engineered cars.
Matt Galvin, Volvo Car UK’s sales director, said: ‘These new Polestar Engineered cars perfectly illustrate Volvo’s approach to electrified performance. By combining a powerful plug-in hybrid set-up with the engineering expertise of Polestar, they offer scintillating performance with the ability to run in electric-only mode, thus creating no tailpipe emissions.’
Pricing for the Polestar Engineered S60, V60 and XC60 sits at £56,105, £57,205 and £64,545 respectively.
