Volvo's Polestar performance division has announced updated versions of the S60 and V60 Polestar.
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The big news is Polestar has swapped the 3.0L turbo-six for Volvo's 2.0L Twincharged Drive-E four-cylinder. This engine found in the S60 and XC90 produces 315 horsepower. But Polestar has made some changes to this engine with a larger turbo, new camshafts, air intake, and fuel pump. Power figures stand at 367 horsepower and 346 pound-feet. An eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive gets all of that power onto the road.
Compared to the outgoing six-cylinder, the four-cylinder has 22 more horsepower but loses 23 pound-feet. That doesn't hurt performance numbers as the run to 60 mph is done in 4.7 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph.
Polestar has also worked on dropping the weight of S60 and V60 Polestar. Both models are about 44 pounds lighter thanks to key items such as 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels. Other changes for the Polestar models include a set of Brembo brakes and a revised electro-assisted power steering system.
“All changes made to the car are about improving drivability and efficiency. The base of the new engine carries motorsport technology with solutions like the combination of turbo and supercharger, lightweight materials and more. This works hand-in-hand with our core philosophy and has enabled us to evolve the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar,” said Henrik Fries, Vice President R&D, Polestar.
Now if you missed the first allocation of the S60 and V60 Polestar, you'll be happy to hear Volvo is increasing production from 750 to 1,500 units annually. But you might have a tough time since Volvo is expanding Polestar's reach from 13 markets to 47. No word on when we'll be seeing the Polestar models arriving in the U.S.
Pic and Video Credit: Volvo
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Why does Polestar need to
Why does Polestar need to calibrate the fully electric power steering, just recently introduced in 2015 by Volvo, for its 2017 model year Polestar 367hp Volvo V60 (and S60) Drive E ???
The answer is the fully electric power steering is not able to precisely handle the T6 Drive-E supercharged and turbocharged engine of greater than 300 horsepower in certain circumstances. In particular, the 2015.5 model year S60 T6 Platinum trim with OEM Sport chassis and OEM 19 inch wheels has a terrible time cornering on curvy highways of 70+ mph, whereas even a significantly lower priced Volkswagen Jetta or Honda Accord have no problem; the steering becomes too light, loose, and imprecise during those moments, which creates an unsafe feeling. This sensation goes against Volvo's philosophy of building cars that is safe to drive. Volvo recently purchased Polestar; if Volvo V/S60 series wants to be seriously consider as a rival to Lexus IS series, BMW 3 series, Mercedes CLA series, Cadillac ATS series, and Audi A series, then Volvo needs to pay more attention in solving the "electro-assisted power steering" flaw plaguing the under $50,000 S60 T6 Platinum trim with Sport chassis. Even at any of the electrical adjustable steering force setting, this car does not inspire performance handling confidence. Maybe a software update to the power steering is in order to correct for the concern???