2014 Volvo V60 and S60 Polestar unveiled

Just weeks after the first spy shots of the Volvo V60 Polestar appeared, the Swedish brand has given the hot wagon a global debut, positioning it as the more practical sibling to the already lauded S60 sedan -- for which Australia has been the trial market.

Sadly, at this stage Australia isn't on the list of seven markets Volvo has marked for the V60 Polestar: Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA. However further markets will be named next year when final production run -- likely to be limited -- and pricing details are revealed.

For now, we know at least that the wagon is powered by the same T6 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine as the S60 Polestar, upgraded with a new twin-scroll turbo and intercooler and matching the sedan's outputs of 257kW of power at 5700rpm and 500Nm of torque at 2800rpm.

Volvo says the hot V60 tips the scales at a hefty 1822kg -- 138kg more than the sedan's 1684kg -- however is still promising a dead heat 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds and top speed (electronically limited) of 250km/h, which suggests that with those astonishing delivery skills the Polestar elves could move a bit further north and give Santa a hand.

Drive is sent via a six-speed automatic transmission -- with paddle shifters on the steering wheel -- to all four wheels via a Polestar-developed Haldex system allows both the S60 Polestar and V60 Polestar to accelerate to 100 km/h from rest in just 4.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h.

Polestar's boffins have had their hands all over the underpinnings of both the V60 and the updated S60, resulting in some restrained bodykit for better aerodynamics, sportier recalibration of the traction and stability control systems, a more rigid chassis and stiffer springs, the addition of custom Ohlins shock absorbers and 371mm ventilated front discs and six-piston Brembo calipers nestled behind the 20-inch Polestar wheels.  Both get a snarling soundtrack with a 2.5-inch stainless steel exhaust system.

This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott