Volvo has revealed an updated version of its V60 Polestar, a hardcore performance-focused estate car. The V60 Polestar is now one of the most powerful and quickest estate cars around.
New engine and performance
The updated V60 Polestar replaces the 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine it previously used in favour of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-charged unit. Whereas the old engine produced 345bhp, the new unit offers 362bhp.
While it’s smaller in size than its predecessor, the new engine does benefit from several upgrades including a larger air intake and turbo. The new engine is actually the same one being used in Volvo’s new World Touring Car Championship race car – the Volvo S60 Polestar TC1.
Utilising four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the updated V60 Polestar goes from zero to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds. That’s quicker than not just the previous V60 but also key rivals like the Audi S4 Avant.
The updated V60 Polestar also promises to be more efficient than before, officially returning 34.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 186g/km. Benefitting performance and efficiency is the fact that the new V60 Polestar is 20kg lighter than its predecessors.
Lighter build
Other improvements include more even weight distribution, a more precise power steering system, new lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels and larger brakes.
Just how many examples of the new V60 Polestar will reach Britain is unclear at the moment. Just 750 units of the previous model were produced worldwide, but that figure could double for the new version.
Volvo will begin first UK deliveries of the new V60 Polestar within the last few months of 2016. Pricing is unconfirmed for now, but expect this fast estate to cost somewhere around £50,000.
