After first unveiling the concept version at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show->ke211, the Volvo S60 Polestar has finally made it to production. However, before you get too excited, you have to know that the new S60 Polestar will initially only be offered in the Australian market. Depending on the Australian reaction to the new model, Volvo->ke188 will decide if other market will also get it or not.

When it comes to the exterior look, the production version remains pretty faithful to the concept, but unfortunately the concept's amazing output didn't make it to production. So, if you were hopping to see the same turbocharged, in-line six-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 508 horsepower we have to tell you that you are going to be a little bit disappointed.

Even more bad news comes with the announcement that the S60->ke413 Polestar will be limited to only 100 units, so not even the Aussie market will get much of an opportunity to really enjoy it.

Updated 03/31/2014: Volvo unveiled a new video showing the new S60 Polestar in action in Arctic conditions. Behind the wheel you will see Scott McLaughlin and Robert Dahlgren. Enjoy!

Hit the jump to read more on the new Volvo S60 Polestar.

2014 Volvo S60 Polestar

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Volvo S60 Polestar
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 350
  • Torque: 368
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Update History

Updated 04/17/2013: The production version Volvo S60 Polestar has finally been unveiled, after a teaser video released the other days.

UPDATE 05/02/13: Polestar Racing has released a new video featuring racing and development driver Robert Dahlgren in a 4000 kilometer journey from Barcelona, Spain, to Jokkmokk, Sweden, in the final stages of the development of its first production Polestar model: the Volvo S60 Polestar.

Exterior

The new Volvo S60 Polestar will be distinguished by an impressive aerodynamic package developed in collaboration with the Volvo Research and Development team and heavily tested in the wind tunnel. The package includes a front splitter, rear wing and diffuser.

The car's cool blue exterior paint has been combined with black exterior mirrors and numerous Polestar badges on the door trims and the front grille.

Interior

Volvo didn’t give us too many details on the interior with the exception of a chart that highlights some of the changes from the base S60. These changes include Polestar door trims, shifter knob, and limited edition plate on the door sills and the steering wheel.

Drivetrain

Under the hood of the new S60 Polestar, you will get a six-cylinder turbocharged Volvo T6 engine optimized by Polestar with a bigger turbo, new intercooler, revised engine mapping and a new racing exhaust system.

As a result, it will deliver a total of 350 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. The engine will be mated to a Polestar-tuned six-speed automatic gearbox and will sprint the sports sedan from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and up to a top speed of 155 mph, which is considerable slower than the concept’s 3.9-second 0-to-60 mph time and 186 mph top speed.

Drivetrain Specifications:

Engine

6-cylinder inline T6 engine

Displacement

2953 cc

Power

257kw (350bhp) @ 5700 rpm

Torque

500+Nm @ 2800-4750rpm

Engine max rev

Max 6500 RPM

0-100 km/h

4.9 sec

Top speed

250 km/h - limited


Suspensions and brakes

The technology behind the new S60 Polestar has been developed in cooperation with Volvo Polestar Racing driver Robert Dahlgren and then extremely tested on all kinds of road in Europe.

The model will be offered with technologies from the Polestar racing cars, like dampers from Öhlins, high capacity brakes, and the highly-tuned chassis.

Chassis

-Polestar Öhlins, 2-way adjustable shock absorbers

-o 60N/mm front, 65N/mm rear springs (80% stiffer than stock)

-Upgraded stabilizers front and rear

-Upgraded rear tie blades

-Upgraded top mount in front and rear

-Upgraded toe link arms in rear

-Strut brace with carbon-fiber enforcement

-235/40R19, Michelin Pilot Super Sport

-Bespoke Polestar rims, 8-by-19-inch ET51

Brakes

- 336-by-29 mm (13.22-by-1.14-inch) ventilated front discs

-Jurid 958 performance front brake pads

-302-by-22 mm (11.88-by-0.86-inch) ventilated rear discs

-HP2000 Brembo performance rear brake pads

Prices

Prices for the new Volvo S60 Polestar will be announced at a later date.

Competition

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Sedan

If the S60 Polestar is, in fact, only made for the Australian market, then the C63 AMG will definitely be its No. 1 competitor. With its 6,208 cc (6.2-liter) V-8 engine that cranks out 336 kW (450 horsepower), the C63 AMG is way more powerful than the S60 Polestar in terms of raw power. Where the Polestar will likely makes up ground is in its pricing, as it will likely come in far cheaper than the C63 AMG. Plus, at only 100 units, it will be more exclusive.

BMW M3

We can only assume that BMW Australia will inherit the same naming system as we will get in the U.S. next year, so this means that the M3 sedan would also return to the dealers “down under.” Rumors are pointing toward the new M3 getting an in-line six-cylinder engine that will feature two or three turbochargers to pump the engine to well over 450 horsepower. Much like the Mercedes, the BMW dominates in power when compared to what’s under the S60’s hood, but it will certainly be far more expensive than the Volvo.

Conclusion

The new S60 Polestar could have been the coolest model ever offered by Volvo. That is, of course, if Volvo would have followed the path started with the concept version. Unfortunately, the production version is far less impressive than the concept, but it is still a nice addition to the company's lineup.