Volvo S60 Polestar MY13 2013 review

By international standards Volvo is a small carmaker. They crank out a few hundred thousand vehicles a year and most are snapped up by patriotic Swedes. Australia accounts for but a few thousand of these well-built, solid, safe and increasingly attractive cars.

Something is happening in the halls of head office in Gothenburg. They want to get funky and branch out into new territory with sporty cars as well as the usual fare of mainstream models.

It started when the local Volvo outfit tinkered with a V60 wagon a couple of years ago, hotrodding the carryall, giving it some sizzle and sass  big wheels and a louder voice. They liked it in Sweden and decided to run with a `factory' version of the car in sedan form built with the expertise of its racing partner called Polestar.

The result is the S60 T6 Polestar, the fastest, quickest and best handling road going Volvo ever. We drove the car in Sweden a few months ago in near production form and it was impressive. We have now driven the production version on home turf and it's the same deal impressive.

POLESTAR EDITION

Polestar delved deeply into the S60's specification, altering, tweaking and changing numerous components including the suspension which is by Ohlins, the brakes, turbo, engine control unit, aerodynamics, exhaust, and other details. There are a total of 76 chassis/dynamic changes and many more upgrades like the six speed auto transmission and the all wheel drive system.

But they didn't go overboard preferring to make a driver's car with a balance of comfort and sport that can be driven every day on all roads, in all weather and through all seasons.

They've made just 50 units initially to gauge interest and then perhaps go on from there. The car is equipped to the highest level S60 standard and includes plenty of luxury kit, but comes in at $109,950 -- the most expensive Volvo ever offered in Australia but also the most exclusive.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

The 3.0-litre six cylinder engine sits transverse in the engine bay and is fed through a Borg Warner twin scroll turbo. It cranks out a handy 257kW/500Nm output and stops the clocks in 4.9 seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint.

The only transmission available is a six speed, Japanese Aisin unit that misses out on paddle shift and has a manual change mode going the wrong way on the gate. You could live with it. The all wheel drive system has a rear axle bias for a more sporty feel and there's a launch control system for quick getaways.

Polestar builds this car with insight from the BMW M3 and Benz C63AMG with which it shares similar performance stats. But the Swede offers all wheel drive and a six pot turbo engine rather than rear wheel drive with a V8.

DRIVING

They made good with their promise of a drivers car for a wide range of applications as the S60 Polestar is a treat to drive fast on our terrible roads. The suspension is a revelation as it soaks up potholes without flinching thanks to a blow-off valve that activates on big impacts.

Engine performance is strong as you'd expect with 500Nm from 2800rpm. It's a car to be savoured on any drive route. But the interior is fairly bland -- lacking in pizzaz, if not features.

The exhaust note is over-muted and needs a bit more snap crackle and pop and the lack of paddle shift might be an issue for some drivers as the current set-up means you have to take your left hand off the wheel to change in manual mode. It looks muscular and purposeful from all angles and is practical too offering seats for five and a large boot.

VERDICT

Will buyers be prepared to go for the Volvo instead of coughing up another 15 grand for an M3 or 45 grand for a C63. They should at least have a look and a drive of the Volvo.

Volvo S60 T6 Polestar

Price: from $109,950
Engine: 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder turbo
Power: 257kW and 500Nm
Transmission: Six-speed auto, all-wheel-drive
Thirst: 10.2L/100km
0 to 100km/h: 4.9 seconds