Volvo S60 T6 Polestar 2012 review

Volvo's handsome S60 has shifted the Swedish automaker up a cog in a number of areas - style, value, safety and performance.

But the latter got a real boost following the arrival this week of a special, locally-fettled S60 T6 model called the Polestar.

COMPETITIVE

It's a funny name derived from a company connected through motorsport to Volvo for decades. Polestar is in the box seat to provide guidance on performance models that allows Volvo to "compete'' with AMG and M Sport enhanced cars from Benz and BMW.

The S60 Polestar doesn't face-off with the Benz C63AMG or the BMW M3 in outright hard-edged performance terms. It's not far behind though being more of a grand touring vehicle with an easy to drive feel (at half the price). The initial Polestar run is limited to 50 vehicles priced from $82,990 - a ten grand premium over the S60 T6.

LOCAL EFFORT

The Polestar "brand'' is likely to be introduced on other models in the local Volvo lineup and is under close scrutiny from Volvo head office in Sweden which is likely to pinch the idea if it's successful here.

THE PACKAGE

The Polestar car gets some cool kit with gorgeous 19-inch Heico alloys fitted with ultra low profile rubber and there's a stainless Heico quad outlet exhaust with tuned sports note. The turbo, 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, petrol engine's control computer is re-chipped to deliver more power and torque rated at 242kW/480Nm. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 10.2-litres/100km.

The upgrade is carried out in Sydney at Volvo Australia headquarters and the Polestar has full factory warranty and maintains a standard factory service schedule. The new engine program delivers a mountain of torque (grunt) from low in the engine rev range and into the mid-range.

EQUIPMENT

Being based on the T6 means the Polestar scores a heavy inventory of safety equipment - and all wheel drive through a six-speed automatic transmission from Japanese manufacturer Aisin.

The dynamic package remains the same as the T6 model. A range of settings is available to the driver through "My Car'' on the trip computer. Inside is a sea of leather and metallic fascia with a comfy seats, easy to use controls and a modern design. There are seats for four, five at a pinch and a decent boot.

THE DRIVE

We had a real good go at the Polestar covering some 300km of mixed urban, freeway and country roads. It's a rapid piece of kit for sure, hitting hard off idle and ripping through the mid engine speeds like a sprinter.

But in deference to everyday driving requirements, it buttons off a tad approaching peak revs. So the focus is more on mid-range response for overtaking and such like. It is super quick in this area blasting past slow vehicles in a blink. The suspension is sporty firm but not too jiggly and we liked the steering which offers sharp responses.

The auto worked best in normal D mode because it hunts a tad in the sport mode. No wheel paddles are fitted which is a bummer because it means you have to take your left hand off the wheel to sequentially change gears using the stick shift. A small annoyance.

VERDICT

Impressive effort from Volvo. A seriously quick car at a sharp price. Looks the business, safe, stylish, well equipped, an engaging drive.  They should do a wagon version too.

VOLVO S60 T6 POLESTAR

Price: $82,990
Warranty: 3 years unlimited
Resale: 44 per cent
Crash Rating: Five stars
Engine: 3.0-litre tutrbo inline six; 242kW/480Nm
Body: four door five seats Dimensions: 4628mm (L); 1865 (width); 1484 (h); 2776 (wb)
Weight: 1684kg
Transmission: Six-speed automatic; AWD
Economy: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km