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First drive: Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.

First drive: Volvo V60 Polestar
Low number, big performance Volvo V60 wagon from Polestar.

   



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| First Drive | Dunsfold, England | Volvo V60 Polestar |

Overall rating: 3 3 3 3 3

Volvo's V60 gets a boost from the Swede's official motorsports partner, Polestar, though just 125 will be sold in the UK.

Key Facts

Model tested: Volvo V60 Polestar
Pricing: £49,775
Engine: 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Transmission: four-wheel drive, six-speed automatic
Body style: five-door estate
Rivals: Audi S4 Avant, BMW 335i Touring, Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Estate
CO2 emissions: 237g/km
Combined economy: 27.7mpg
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 5.0 seconds
Power: 350hp at 5,250rpm
Torque: 500Nm at 3,000- to 4,750rpm

In the Metal: 4 4 4 4 4

There's nothing more 'sleeper' in performance terms than an estate car, and Polestar's makeover of the Volvo V60 only subtly suggests at its greater potency. There's the usual revisions to the front bumper, sills and grilles, while a unique rear spoiler sits atop the rear window and a Polestar rear diffuser, but, Rebel Blue paintwork aside, the V60 is fairly quiet about its 350hp and 5.0-second 0-62mph time. The bigger 20-inch alloy wheels are the most obvious giveaway; the six-piston front brake callipers clasping large 371mm vented Brembo discs also suggesting that this isn't your usual family wagon.

That's true inside as well, Polestar's involvement resulting in contrasting blue stitching on the wheel, seats and gear shifter, while Nubuk covers the seats, armrests and door tops. Otherwise it's pure Volvo, which is to say simple, functional and very well finished. Like all its V60 relations the Polestar model is not a hugely useful load lugger, and passenger space is a bit tight in the back too. Still, it's quick enough to do a couple of runs to the tip in the time a bigger car might do one...

Driving it: 3 3 3 3 3

The biggest surprise with the Polestar is the noise it makes. The active-flow exhaust sounds magnificent, giving the V60 a pleasingly menacing burble at idle and blaring gloriously as the turbocharged in-line six revs out. Do that and the Polestar will reach 62mph in 5.0 seconds from rest, the four-wheel drive system helping it use all of its 350hp and 500Nm of torque effectively. Indeed, one of the development goals of Polestar was to make its performance everyday, all-condition useable. Polestar's changes includes a twin-scroll Borg Warner turbocharger, which spools up quickly without any perceptible lag, so the 3.0-litre's delivery is strong and linear from any point in the rev range. If there's a weakness it's the transmission; Polestar has altered the six-speed automatic's settings, but it still feels slow to shift compared to more modern dual-clutch units.

A good deal of attention has been paid to the chassis, Polestar quoting spring rates some 80 per cent stiffer than the already firm R-Design model that it's based on, with stiffer bushing, top mounts front and rear and strut bracing. Combine that with the 20-inch alloys and the result could be an overly firm riding disaster, but the fitment of some trick Ohlins dampers does mean that, while it's obviously firm, it's rarely jarring, riding decently, even on the UK's scarred tarmac roads.

There is a bit of tramlining felt through the wheel's rim. The steering set-up offers three assistance options, and the middle one the best compromise for UK roads. It's only possible to change the weighting when stationary, and is a fiddle of sub menus in the central infotainment system, though regardless of setting the steering lacks the feel of the best of its rivals. Polestar's people suggest it's best driven with the ESP stability control system turned off. That results in more of the power bias to the rear, while selecting manual Sport mode on the automatic gearbox leaves you completely in control. It's all fairly convincing, the V60's ample grip, superb traction and strong brakes impressing, even if it's missing the last layer of interaction to make it a truly involving, engaging driving experience.

What you get for your Money: 2 2 2 2 2

Everything is included, but then at a few quid short of £50,000 so it should be. The price is the Polestar's biggest problem. Even though it's a 125 series limited run model (for the UK) that sticker price pops it up against some established and formidable fast wagons. Audi's S4 Avant is nearly £10,000 cheaper, while a BMW 335i M Sport Touring is a similar amount less - the 335d xDrive Touring adds four-wheel drive and Polestar beating performance and economy for £8,000 less. You'd have to really want to be different...

Worth Noting

Polestar has been Volvo's official motorsport partner since 1996 and is increasingly getting involved in early development of the company's cars. Insiders state they'd like a quicker means of accessing ESP settings and those steering weights, so don't rule out something akin to BMW's programmable M button in time on future Polestar models.

Summary

What we say here matters little, as those with a bent towards £50k performance Volvos will be few, but then Volvo UK is only offering 125 for sale. If this is a signal of intent from Polestar then the performance division will certainly be worth watching, and if you dare to be different from the performance wagon norm the V60 Polestar isn't without real appeal, even if ultimately it's bettered by cheaper (if more common and predictable) German rivals.


Kyle Fortune - 15 May 2014



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2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.

2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.



2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.
 

2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.
 

2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.
 

2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.
 

2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.
 

2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.
 

2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.
 

2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.
 

2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.
 

2014 Volvo V60 Polestar. Image by Volvo.
 






 

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