2012 New Volvo S60 Polestar Review

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."

Thanks to Carlos A. for the tip!

2012 New Volvo S60 Polestar Review

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

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2013 Volvo XC90 Review

A fully color-coordinated exterior makes the XC90 look sleeker and lower to the ground. Design elements include new body color front and rear bumpers, sill moldings and wheel arches. Enhancing the visual magnetism are new standard LED daytime running lights and taillights. The XC90 3.2 also receives a new silver front bumper bar, chrome taillight trim, silk matte exterior rearview mirrors, air intake décor trim and 18-inch “Thalia” alloy wheels. Twilight Bronze metallic and Flaminco Red metallic are new color choices.

Meanwhile, the XC90 R-Design also benefits from a fully color-coordinated exterior plus LED daytime running lights and taillights. New 19-inch “Ixion” alloy wheels amplify its sporting appeal. The R-Design continues to feature sport-tuned suspension and steering for an enhanced driving character, plus a unique R-Design grille, leather seating surfaces with embossed R-Design logo on the front seats, an R-Design steering wheel, watch dial instruments and floor mats.

2013 Volvo XC90

The XC90′s advanced 3.2-liter in-line six-cylinder engine is a naturally aspirated powerplant that delivers 240 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. It achieves performance and economy thanks to Variable Cam Timing (VCT) and Cam Profile Switching (CPS). With CPS, the intake valves can be lifted to different heights depending on engine revs and load – a lower lift for economical driving and a higher one for more power.
A six-speed “Geartronic” automatic transmission is standard. All-wheel drive with Instant Traction is optional on all XC90s. This traction enhancing system employs computer-controlled Haldex AWD that instantaneously delivers up to 50 percent more torque to the rear axle only when needed, such as during takeoff.

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