Polestar may be its own company now, but it’s still expected to play a role in Volvo’s core lineup, including the all-new S60 that’s days away from making its debut at the Swedish automaker’s new production facility in Charleston, South Carolina. Volvo’s performance division will be in charge of creating what’s described as a “Polestar Engineered” range-topping version that will sit above Volvo’s R Design model of the next-generation sedan.

Polestar’s new status as a full-fledged automaker apparently won’t stop it from returning to its roots every so often through the Polestar Engineered performance pack. One of the first recipients of this performance package will be the next-generation Volvo S60.

Specific details are still scarce at the moment, but the power figures of the Polestar-tuned S60 has come out after Volvo let the cat out of the bag. According to the automaker, the top-of-the-line “Polestar Engineered” Volvo S60 will be based on the T8 Twin Engine S60 hybrid model. Power and performance increases make up a big part of the package. In the standard T8 version that’s powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the pack will be able to increase the engine’s output from 385 horsepower to 400 horsepower. Throw in the small electric motor at the back and the total output increases to 415 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque.

In addition to the power increase, the pack also includes a number of cosmetic upgrades to help separate the Polestar S60 from other S60 models. Polestar badges and black chrome exhaust pipes are part of the pack, as are gold-finished Brembo brake calipers that Volvo describes as the “new hallmark color for Polestar Engineered components.” Speaking of the gold color, you’ll also see them on the seatbelt. Yes, the Polestar Engineered Volvo S60 will come with gold seatbelts. That’s something you don’t see every day.

On the mechanical side, the pack also includes a multi-link suspension on both axles that helps stiffen the springs and dampeners of the S60, all while establishing a comfortable ride. There’ll also be a strut bar and an adjustable shock absorber design, two components that Polestar used on its maiden model, the Polestar 1.

It’s unclear if other Volvo models will get the same Polestar Engineered performance pack. But don’t sleep on it happening because hybrid versions of the V60 and C60 are expected to arrive in the future. Might they be in line to get their own Polestar range-topping units?

For now, the S60 will get first dibs on the Polestar Engineered performance pack. The all-new sedan is a hallmark model for Volvo as it’s the first model in the company’s modern era to arrive without a diesel engine. There will still be a handful of engine options to choose from, including T5 and T6 four-cylinder engines, a pair of plug-in hybrid units, and electrified versions featuring the T6 Twin Engine and the range-topping T8 Twin Engine. The latter is the same engine that’s going to get the first crack at the Polestar Engineered performance pack.

The Volvo S60 will make its worldwide debut in a few days at the unveiling of its production facility in Charleston, South Carolina.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2017 Volvo S60.

Read our full review on the 2019 Volvo V60.

Read more Volvo news.