2018 Volvo S60 Polestar and V60 Polestar updated

Volvo’s performance division has updated the S60 and V60 Polestars for the 2018 model year.

On the list of improvements is more carbon fibre and better downforce, though aerodynamics are cancelled out by more weight.

Developed jointly between Polestar and Cyan Racing engineers, the aerodynamic package added to the MY18 S60 and V60 has improved downforce by 30 per cent according to Volvo.

Polestar says data and learnings derived from the World Touring Car Championship were vital in the improvements.

Even though the new additions to the Polestars were tested during Polestar Cyan Racing’s ‘secret’ Nürburgring record attempt for fastest four-door road legal car lap, the additional downforce and aero pack has netted no immediately obvious performance advantage.

In addition, an extra chunk of weight for the V60 (it’s gone from 1770kg to 1800kg) means it is now a tenth slower than the S60.

Both cars retain the 270kW/470Nm turbocharged and supercharged four-pot introduced recently, but only the S60 holds onto its 4.7 second 0-100km/h time. The V60 now takes 4.8.

Both are electronically limited to 250km/h.

1500 units will be produced, though only 10 will be made available in Australia, with four S60 sedans and six V60 wagons available from January.

Volvo Australia told WhichCar that pricing is not yet confirmed.

Polestar product strategy boss Jörgen Ronstad says the additions reflect Polestar’s ‘track car for the road’ philosophy.

“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,” he says.

“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.”