Wagon expands hot Volvo family

Volvo's most serious production car to date, the S60 Polestar sedan, has been joined by the new V60 Polestar wagon as part of an upgraded MY15 model range.

Like the first full-time Polestar production model, the MY14 S60 Polestar released in March, both models are based on top-shelf T6 AWD R-Design versions of the facelifted S/V60 mid-sizers released last October.

Pricing for the S60 Polestar is unchanged at $99,990 plus on-road costs (following a $10,000 price cut in May ), while the new V60 Polestar commands a $3000 premium at $102,990 plus ORCs.

Australia played a vital role as a test market for the hot Swedish twins, which started life as a limited-edition pilot project exclusively for this market in 2011.

The original batch of 25 MY13 S60 Polestars released here in June 2013 was followed by a further 25 and then 50 updated MY14 sedans earlier this year. All up, about 80 have been sold.

But with first MY15 deliveries not due here until January, Australia will be the last country to receive the 'third-generation' Polestar models, which were launched recently in the US, Canada, Japan, UK, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

"We are very proud of the contribution Volvo Car Australia has made to the development of Polestar over the last couple of years," said VCA Managing Director, Kevin McCann.

The V60 Polestar wagon is an all-new model for Volvo and the only Polestar model to be sold in two of the eight markets (UK and Switzerland).

VCA is unsure whether the wagon will be more popular than the sedan in Australia, where S60 sales are up 20 per cent year-on-year, but hopes the five-door Polestar will have a similar 'halo effect' on the mainstream V60 line-up.

"The reason for being here is Australia is a very competitive and demanding market, but we also love your culture, country and motorsport," said Polestar Managing Director Haans Baath during the local leg of his eight-nation whistle-stop launch program.

As we've reported, Volvo's next Polestar-tuned model will be either the XC60 crossover or V40 hatch.

"We're definitely here to stay," said Baath. "We have a long-term agreement that allows us to reinvest.

"Obviously, we're looking at other models and Volvo is going through change, so stand by for our next products. Some markets say they need a V40 [Polestar], others want an SUV."

While the MY14 S60 Polestar brought shift paddles and upgraded brakes, the MY15 S60 and V60 – which differs only slightly in terms of spring and damper rates due to its extra 68kg (1834kg) and different weight distribution – comes with subtle but extensive chassis and powertrain upgrades.

Chief among them is the move to larger 20-inch Polestar alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/35 ZR20 tyres, increasing grip and steering performance over the MY14 car's 19-inch rims with Bridgestone tyres.

This is complemented by revised suspension, braking, all-wheel drive, engine management and transmission systems, plus new rear bootlid (sedan) and roof (wagon) spoilers.

The unique Öhlins shock absorbers, which continue to feature the company's patented dual-flow valve and 20 clicks of manual compression/rebound damping adjustment, have been tuned to match the bigger wheels.

As before, Polestar suspension upgrades include 80 per cent stiffer springs ("the ride would be terrible without the Ohlins shocks," said Baath) and stiffer stabiliser bars, mounts and bushings.

A new brake master-cylinder and booster join the six-piston Brembo brake callipers and 371mm ventilated discs introduced last year, while a three-month program to recalibrate the anti-lock brake and stability control systems is claimed to have improved brake control and feedback.

Apart from enhanced throttle response, there are no changes to the transverse-mounted 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, which packs a twin-scroll Borg-Warner turbo to deliver the same 257kW at 5250rpm and 500Nm at 3000rpm.

Combined fuel consumption is 10.2L/100km (sedan) and 10.3L/100km (wagon) – the same as the standard T6 AWD R-Design models – and 0-100km/h acceleration is listed at 4.9 seconds for the S60 and five seconds flat for V60.

Carryover engine features include a 2.5-inch active exhaust system with 3.5-inch outlets that open up over 4000rpm in sports mode, reducing back pressure and producing a rortier exhaust note under acceleration.

Upgrades to the six-speed adaptive Geartronic automatic transmission are claimed to deliver faster gearshifts and greater control over gear selection, thanks in part to a new curve hold function preventing automatic shifting in corners.

A launch control system, paddle shifters, sport mode and full manual override remain part of the transmission package, while the latest Haldex AWD system continues with unique Polestar functionality including more rear-end bias at take-off and under lateral g-forces in ESC-off mode.

There are no changes inside, where on top of the standard R-Design package there's unique Nubuck and perforated leather trim for the Polestar seats and steering wheel, carbon and Polestar blue contrast details, and rubber-studded stainless steel pedals.

Both models are available in signature Rebel Blue, Electric Silver, Black Sapphire and Ice White, and the only options are a sunroof ($2650) and tinted rear/side glass ($850).

Like their MY14 predecessor, the latest Polestar twins come with a host of new features, including a Sensus Connect premium sound system, LED daytime running lights, Active High Beam, Active Bending Lights and Adaptive Digital Display.

Standard equipment includes satellite-navigation, reversing camera with sensors, Adaptive Cruise Control, City Safety, Full Auto Brake, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Information System, Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Keeping Aid, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, and Road Sign Information.

MY15 Volvo S/V60 Polestar pricing (plus ORCs):
S60 Polestar – $99,990
V60 Polestar – $102,990