Test Drive the Volvo S60 Equipped with the Polestar Performance Package | Volvo
Volvo S60 AWD R-Design Polestar Performance Package |
Volvo S60 AWD R-Design Polestar Performance Package
Official Power-Up Tuning
Test Drive: Volvo S60 with Polestar Performance Package
In recent years, Volvo has increasingly emphasized its sporty image. The "Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12" we reported on in July was part of this strategy, as is the launch of the "Polestar Package." What makes this option unusual is that it can be fitted to vehicles after purchase and, being official, has no impact on the warranty.VOLVO OCEAN RACEWhile it's a computer tune that offers a slight increase in horsepower, Tatsuya Otani, who test drove the "S60 AWD T-6 R-DESIGN" equipped with this option on the mountain roads of Hakone, noted a clear difference and the inherent quality of the base vehicle.S60AWD T-6 R-DESIGN" equipped with this option on the mountain roads of Hakone, noted a clear difference and the inherent quality of the base vehicle.
Text by OTANI Tatsuya
Photographs by ARAKAWA Masayuki
Volvo's Racing Heritage
Volvo, known for its serene Scandinavian design and unwavering safety, might be perceived as more of a comforting presence than an aggressive one among premium brands. Therefore, the idea of Volvo engaging in racing might not immediately come to mind.
However, Volvo has a long history of enthusiastic participation in touring car racing. In 1985, a driver in a Volvo "240 Turbo" won the championship in the then-thriving European Touring Car Championship (ETC). Furthermore, they competed in the InterTEC held at Fuji Speedway in November of that year and the following year, securing victory twice over BMW.
The "240" that was active during this era had a boxy silhouette and was affectionately nicknamed the "flying brick." These are nostalgic memories now.
Volvo continues to actively participate in motorsport today. In 2012, they achieved a triple crown—driver, team, and manufacturer—in the TTA Racing Elite League, a series launched in Sweden. As the TTA series may not be widely known in Japan, here's a brief explanation: it's a racing series where manufacturers equip a chassis supplied by the series organizer with their own bodywork. In its inaugural year, 2012, four manufacturers—Volvo, Saab, BMW, and Citroën—entered a total of 16 cars. Eight races were held at circuits across Sweden to compete for the title.
The Volvo works team competing in the TTA is "Polestar Racing." They challenged the 2011 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) and competed in a race at Suzuka Circuit. Despite it being their first full season, they achieved a commendable fifth place in the second race. They are undoubtedly a top-tier touring car racing team globally.
Founded in 1996, Polestar has primarily handled Volvo's racing activities. In 2011, they developed a tuning kit to enhance the performance of Volvo road cars, which was successfully launched and well-received in Germany, North America, South America, China, and other regions. This is the "Polestar Performance Package" we are introducing here.
Volvo S60 AWD R-Design Polestar Performance Package |
Volvo S60 AWD R-Design Polestar Performance Package
Official Power-Up Tuning
Test Drive: Volvo S60 with Polestar Performance Package (2)
A Speed That Feels Almost Unsettling
Simply put, this is a ROM tuning kit for the Volvo T6 engine (model B6304T). Its most significant feature is that it can be purchased and installed at authorized Volvo dealerships, and the vehicle's new car warranty remains valid after installation. This attests to the product's reliability.
We test drove the "S60 T6 AWD R-DESIGN" equipped with this Polestar Performance Package on the Hakone Turnpike.
The first thing you notice upon driving is its overwhelming power. The Polestar Performance Package modifies the engine management program only; the hardware remains unchanged from the original. Consequently, the performance increase is modest—an additional 25 ps in maximum output and 40 Nm in maximum torque (both are "estimated" values published by the manufacturer).
Therefore, not all of this can be attributed solely to the Performance Package, but the car delivers such dynamic performance that you'll find yourself wondering, "Was the S60 T6 always this powerful?" The way the tachometer needle races towards the 7,000 rpm redline is particularly impressive. Even though the car isn't in an unstable state, its speed is almost unsettling for the driver.
Moreover, the engine's smoothness is commendable. The Volvo T6 model inherently features a transversely mounted inline-six engine. Since it's a straight-six, excellent rotational balance is a given. This allows for a smooth, responsive engine feel with minimal vibration.
Volvo S60 AWD R-Design Polestar Performance Package |
Volvo S60 AWD R-Design Polestar Performance Package
Official Power-Up Tuning
Test Drive: Volvo S60 with Polestar Performance Package (3)
The S60's Excellent Chassis Comes to Light
The current S60 is renowned for its high-performance chassis. However, within the scope of this test drive, it's difficult to say that it comfortably handles the increased performance. I felt a desire for slightly stiffer springs and dampers.
Conversely, if the fundamental chassis performance weren't so well-engineered, it would have simply been a dangerously tuned car. This suggests that with just spring and damper modifications, the balance could be achieved without altering other components, highlighting how cohesive the S60 we tested was as a complete vehicle.
The Polestar Performance Package is priced at 200,000 yen, including installation. Since its release on November 5th, sales have been strong, with 100 sets ordered in just about three weeks, indicating it was a highly anticipated product for current Volvo owners. The Polestar Performance Package is available not only for the S60 but also for T6 models from the 2011 model year onwards, including the V60, XC60, V70, XC70, and S80.
Volvo S60 AWD R-Design Polestar Performance Package |
Volvo S60 AWD R-Design Polestar Performance Package
Body Dimensions | Length 4,630 x Width 1,865 x Height 1,480 mm
Wheelbase | 2,775 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,580 / 1,575 mm
Weight | 1,770 kg
Engine | 2,953cc Inline-6 DOHC 24-valve Turbo
Maximum Output | 242 kW (329 ps) / 5,400-6,500 rpm
Maximum Torque | 480 Nm (48.9 kgm) / 3,000-3,600 rpm
Transmission | 6-speed Automatic (Geartronic)
Drivetrain | 4WD
Tires Front/Rear | 235/40R18
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 8.5 km/ℓ
CO2 Emissions | 30 g/km
Price | 6.19 million yen (Vehicle base price 5.99 million yen + Polestar Performance Package 200,000 yen)
*Values other than "Maximum Output" and "Maximum Torque" are for the base model.