Next Volvo S60 gains Polestar Engineered performance pack

A week out from the reveal of the new 2019 Volvo S60, the brand has announced for the car a performance pack from its Polestar arm.

Called ‘Polestar Engineered’, the pack increases the performance capabilities of the T8 plug-in hybrid version of the S60.

The T8’s ‘Twin Engine’ system – expect a four-pot helped by an electric motor – will produce a combined 298kW and 640Nm, while the Polestar Engineered pack brings that up to 309kW and 670Nm, as well as improving automatic gear selection.

But it’s not just a power boost, as the pack also increases performance through handling with upgraded Ohlins shock absorbers which, with the strut bar, were designed for the Polestar 1, the first car to come entirely from Volvo’s performance arm.

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Brembo mono-block brake callipers – painted gold – are also added to the S60 with the Polestar Engineered pack, along with pads and discs designed to further reduce heat build-up.

2017 Volvo S60 Polestar review

Surrounding these will be unique lightweight wheels, while black chrome exhaust pipes and golden seat belts will further differentiate the Polestar Engineered cars.

Volvo says the pack will also be available on the V60 estate (wagon, to us) and XC60 SUV, though it’s not yet confirmed which models will be available in Australia.

We’d be surprised if the XC60 doesn’t show up, and the S60 should arrive here too given Australia was the ‘test’ market for the first S60 Polestar.

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Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson says the Swedish brand, and its performance arm Polestar, are firmly planted in the proliferation of electric vehicles.

“Electric cars are our future,” says Samuelsson

“Today starts a new era of Volvo electrified models enhanced by Polestar’s performance engineering prowess.

“This strategy is firmly grounded in our shared belief in an electric future for the car industry.”

The S60 is set to be built in Charleston, South Carolina, the first time a Volvo has been produced in the US.