Volvo’s performance tuning spinoff Polestar has revealed the latest tweaks to its enhanced S60 and V60 models this week, a little over one year since their last major update.
Last year’s update saw the twins switch from a six- to four-cylinder engine package, but this latest change sees the 2018 S60 Polestar and 2018 V60 Polestar upgraded with a number of aerodynamic enhancements – and a very limited production allocation of just 1500 cars.
The company has not said why it is limiting production, but with the current S60 sedan and V60 wagon models nearing the end of their life cycle, this may be a hint that overall production for the two models is winding up.
In developing these enhancements, Polestar and partner motorsport arm Cyan Racing have used data derived from the World Touring Car Championship – interesting in its own right, given the company was not long ago set to pull out of motorsport entirely.
Upgrades include a new front splitter, side sills and a rear spoiler extension, all made from lightweight carbon fibre, increasing downforce by 30 per cent.
No surprise, Polestar says this dramatic increase in downward pressure has improved grip and high-speed stability, and many of the enhancements are thanks to Cyan Racing’s recently publicised Nurburgring hot laps.
The model-year update also brings new diamond-cut wheels in a high-gloss black finish, along with carbon-fibre door mirror casings and a new Bursting Blue Metallic paint option.
There’s also new interior trim, with a new seat upholstery, blue contrast stitching and Polestar logo embroidering.
Polestar boasts it has made more than 250 component changes over the regular S60 and V60 models, with highlights including adjustable Ohlins shock absorber system and six-piston Brembo brake callipers with 371mm discs.
Power is unchanged, however, with last year’s change to Volvo’s Drive-E four-cylinder petrol turbo engine bringing the same 270kW of power and 470Nm of torque.
Polestar claims 0-100km/h times of 4.7 seconds for the S60 and 4.8 seconds for the more practical wagon, and both models list an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.
A detailed specification list, provided by Polestar, is at the bottom of this article.
“The Model Year 18 S60 and V60 Polestar models are the pinnacle of our road car programmes that we have been developing successfully since our first road car was launched in 2013,” said Jörgen Ronstad, Vice President, Product Strategy & Management at Polestar.
“The aerodynamic enhancements, combined with other small but important changes, further enhances our base philosophy of a performance car for all roads and conditions, transferring technology and learnings from track to road.”
Australia
Local timing for the updated range is still to be confirmed. CarAdvice has contacted Volvo Cars Australia for details, and we will update this story as information becomes available.
But, with only 1500 examples planned for the new model year… we may not see these updates here at all.
MORE: 2017 S60, V60 Polestar pricing and specs
MORE: S60 news, reviews, comparisons and videos
MORE: V60 news, reviews, comparisons and videos
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Technical Overview
Performance
Volvo S60 Polestar
- 0-100 km/h 4.7 sec
- 0-200 km/h 17.2 sec
- 0-60 mph 4.4 sec
- 0-120 mph 15.6 sec
- Top speed 250 km/h*/155 mph*
Volvo V60 Polestar
- 0-100 km/h 4.8 sec
- 0-200 km/h 17.4 sec
- 0-60 mph 4.5 sec
- 0-120 mph 15.8 sec
- Top speed 250 km/h*/155 mph*
* = Electronically limited
Chassis
- Adjustable Polestar Öhlins shock absorbers
- Front strut brace with carbon fibre enforcement
- Stiffer top mount front and rear
- Stiffer tie blade bushing
- Polestar optimised steering
- 80% stiffer springs compared to S/V60 T6 R-Design
- Front: 60 N/mm
- Rear: 67 N/mm (S60)
- 72 N/mm (V60)
Tyres and rims
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/35 ZR20 (95Y) XL with cavity damping
- Black Polestar bespoke rims, 20×8”
Engine
- 4-cylinder inline engine with turbo and supercharger
- 1969 cc
- 270 kW (367 hp DIN / 362 hp SAE) @ 6000 rpm
- 470 Nm (347 lb-ft) @ 3100-5100 rpm
- Max 7000 rpm
- Max boost 2.0 bar
- Polestar 3.0” stainless full-flow active exhaust system with twin 3.5” tail pipes
- Higher capacity turbo
- Strengthened conrods
- Strengthened camshaft
- Higher capacity fuel pump
- Higher capacity air filter
- Higher capacity air intake
Transmission
- BorgWarner four-wheel drive
- Polestar calibration for more rear torque dynamic distribution
- Polestar calibrated stability control system
- 8-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox with paddle shifters
- Faster gearshifts
- Curve-hold functionality
- Off-throttle functionality
- Optimised shift precision
Brakes
- Front: Polestar/Brembo 6 piston brake calipers
- 371×32 mm ventilated and floating Brembo discs
- Rear: 302×22 mm ventilated discs
- New brake pads for model year 2018
Curb weight
- 1753 kg / 3865 lb (S60)
- 1800 kg / 3968 lb (V60)
Features
- Launch control
- Sport+ mode
Aerodynamics
- Polestar carbon fibre front splitter
- Polestar carbon fibre side sills
- Polestar carbon fibre spoiler extension (S60)
- Polestar front splitter corners
- Polestar rear spoiler
- Polestar diffuser
Interior and exterior
- Sport seats with charcoal, nubuk, blue thread and Polestar imprint
- Steering wheel with blue thread and leather/nubuk
- Carbon fibre centre stack
- Nubuk inlay in doors
- Nubuk centre armrest
- Polestar gearshift knob
- Polestar carpets with blue thread
- Polestar sport pedals and footrest
- Polestar door sills with numbering
Colours
- Bursting Blue Premium Metallic
- Cyan Racing Blue
- Onyx Black Metallic
- Bright Silver Metallic
- Ice White Solid
Equipment
- Sunroof and colour only options, all others included in base specification
Fuel tank
- 67.5 litres
Fuel consumption (combined)
- 7.8 l/100 km (S60)
- 8.1 l/100 km (V60)
CO2 emission
- 179 g/km (S60)
- 186 g/km (V60)
Environmental Classification
- Euro 6b
