2012 Volvo S60 Polestar Concept: A Juxtaposition of Elegance and Power
In the kaleidoscopic milieu of the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, a new presence caught the attention of automobile enthusiasts - the Volvo S60 Polestar Concept. An outcome of the creative collaboration between Volvo and its official performance partner, Polestar, the concept vehicle staked its claim as arguably the most powerful and exhilarating Volvo concept to grace the show floor.
The Polestar Vision
The Volvo S60 Polestar Concept is a testament to Polestar's vision for the Volvo S60. As Christian Dahl, founder and CEO of Polestar stated, the concept car embodies their preferences as a performance partner, reflecting an understanding of the desires of active drivers. Despite its outlandish character, the vehicle maintains a sense of refinement and precision in handling, offering an intensified version of the quintessential Volvo driving experience.
A Rendition of Power and Handling
The S60 Polestar Concept straddles a delicate balance between power and handling. Under the hood, the turbocharged inline-six engine has undergone substantial tuning to deliver an impressive 508 horsepower and 424 lb.-ft. of torque. These numbers decidedly overshadow the 300 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque found in the T6 engine of the standard production S60 model.
This power is coupled with a chassis that is simultaneously lowered, widened, and reinforced, along with a tuned Haldex all-wheel-drive system and an Öhlins suspension. The integration of these features ensures that the car is well-equipped for both high-performance driving and long-distance travelling.
The Insider’s View
Robert Dahlgren, a racing driver for Volvo Polestar, hails the S60 Polestar Concept as the most impressive street Volvo he's driven. However, he also emphasizes that despite the noticeable upsurge in performance, the vehicle manages to retain the 'genuine Volvo feeling' - a testament to the careful equilibrium that the team at Polestar has struck.
Polestar and Volvo: A Long-standing Alliance
The partnership between Volvo and Polestar stretches back to 1996, with Polestar contributing significantly to enhancing the performance attributes of Volvo's production vehicles. This collaboration has led to the production of the Polestar-tuned S60 R-Design and XC60 R-Design models, both of which have received a performance upgrade, pushing their respective outputs to 325 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque.
Technical Specifications
The Volvo S60 Polestar Concept comes with a set of formidable specifications, including a top speed of more than 300 km/h (over 186 mph), a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of just 3.9 seconds, and a maximum rpm of 7100. The car also features a modified cylinder head and combustion chambers, a revised inlet manifold and air intake, a Garret 3171 turbo, and a Ferrita 3.5" stainless steel exhaust system.
Blue Allure: The Rebel in Disguise
For 2013, the Polestar-tuned models sport a new Rebel Blue shade, mirroring the visual aesthetic of the S60 Polestar Concept. Although it is but a cosmetic update, it serves to further blur the lines between the standard production models and their high-performance counterparts, emphasizing the transformative impact of Polestar's tuning prowess.
A New Era in Performance
The Volvo S60 Polestar Concept is a testament to the potential that lies within Volvo's production vehicles when paired with Polestar's tuning expertise. It is a compelling blend of elegance, performance, and practicality that challenges conventional notions of a Volvo while retaining its core values. The car truly marks a new era in performance for Volvo, promising an exciting future for the brand and its performance partner, Polestar.
