Volvo Adds Polestar Performance Variants

Volvo Car Corp. is teaming up with its Polestar sub-brand to offer range-topping variants of some of the carmaker’s core products, with a focus on electrified models.

The first vehicle to get the “Polestar Engineered” treatment will be the 2019 S60 T8 plug-in hybrid sedan. The V60 wagon and XC60 crossover/SUV also are in line for Polestar upgrades. Limited quantities of the three models will be available through Volvo dealerships and as part of the carmaker’s new subscription leasing service.

For the S60 T8, Polestar will use software tweaks to bump combined output of the 2.0-liter engine and electric motor by about 4% to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque. As before, the 4-cylinder engine teams a supercharger with a turbocharger to maximize performance. Upgrade also is expected to improve fuel efficiency and refine gear shifting of the car’s 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Polestar Engineered models also get Brembo brakes, a revised suspension and lightweight wheels. The suspension features a multi-link setup up front and rear Ohlins shock absorbers with a dual-flow valve that adjusts stiffening as needed.

The mono-block brake calipers ensure greater rigidity and more precise functionality. The gold-tinted calipers are visible through the wheels.

Other upgrades include sport seats with gold accents adorning the seatbelts. A host of Polestar emblems are used throughout the interior and exterior.

Volvo will unveil the redesigned S60 next week at the launch of its new manufacturing plant in Charleston, S.C. The car will be the company’s first U.S.-built model.

Polestar’s first stand alone model, the Polestar 1 hybrid coupe, will launch in mid-2019. A pair of electric vehicles will follow.