If there's one vehicle that's captured my attention in 2012, it is undoubtedly the Volvo S60 Polestar. While some enthusiasts may raise doubt about Volvo's concept and how good it could possibly be, I am crossing my fingers this actually makes it to the market.
Just not in one of those watered-down kinda ways. [Cough] Volvo C30 Polestar [Cough]
Word on the street is that the concept cost upwards of $300,000 USD and that it was a one-off for a customer. But it seems pretty clear to us that by bringing it to the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show that Volvo is trying to test the waters and gauge consumer perception.
Is there any other possibility that we're missing here?
Volvo isn't a brand like BMW or Mercedes-Benz that show concepts that are really production models. At this stage I would say that the S60 Polestar being a mass-produced reality has the same probability as calling heads on the flip of a coin.
Volvo's press release follows:
With the glamour and bright lights that symbolize the City of Angels, what better place for the global auto show debut of the Volvo S60 Polestar Concept than the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show? After all, the 508-horsepower beast, built by Volvo's official performance partner, Polestar, is arguably the most glamorous and lightning-quick Volvo concept car ever made."This is Polestar's interpretation of the Volvo S60," says Christian Dahl, founder and CEO of Polestar. "It's a car developed with our own preferences in mind -- although we know they are also shared by active drivers."
Make no mistake, it is an exotic in its own right -- but with refinement and precise handling. All of this technology results in a more intense, real-life Volvo driving experience.
"We approached this project by looking at the production Volvo S60 as a platform for a potential race car -- and the culmination of that data went into the design of the S60 Polestar Concept," explained Jan Andersson, chief engineer at Polestar.
The S60 Polestar Concept delivers the genuine Volvo driving experience with a high level of power and handling. The turbocharged, inline six-cylinder engine has been tuned to deliver a considerable increase in power and torque. The 508 horsepower and 424 lb.-ft. of torque seem to dwarf the numbers associated with the horsepower and torque found in the T6 engine of the production car: 300 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque.
The combination of a lowered, widened and reinforced chassis, a tuned Haldex all-wheel-drive system, and Öhlins suspension makes the car uniquely suitable for both high-performance driving and long-distance traveling.
According to Volvo Polestar racing driver Robert Dahlgren, "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."
Polestar has been Volvo's performance partner since 1996, offering tuning technology and parts enhancement to production-model vehicles. A Polestar-tuned S60 R-Design and XC60 R-Design currently are offered in the Volvo lineup, bumping their already stout performance from 300 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque to 325 and 354, respectively.
For 2013 they also come in head-turning Rebel Blue ... so they look similar to their cousin: the S60 Polestar Concept.
The Polestar performance upgrade can be purchased and installed in applicable new and used Volvos at any Volvo dealer. More information about Polestar and its expanding parts and technology offerings for Volvo production vehicles can be found at Polestar.com.
Brief Technical Overview: Polestar S60 Concept
- Volvo T6 inline six
- 0-100 kmh (62 mph) = 3.9 seconds
- Top speed more than 300 kmh (more than 186 mph)
- 508 hp @ 6500rpm
- 575Nm (424 lb.-feet) @ 5500rpm
- Max rpm: 7100
- Modified cylinder head and combustion chambers
- Modified inlet manifold and air intake
- Garret 3171 turbo
- Ferrita 3.5" stainless steel exhaust system
Volvo S60 Polestar Photo Gallery
