Volvo plans 500bhp, M3-beating Polestar S60

[PraxxtorCruel]

Power is expected to come from a turbocharged version of the 4.4-litre Yamaha V8 found in the XC90

A 500bhp, Polestar-developed version of the Volvo S60 will make production, insiders have revealed. The new model, developed by the team behind Volvo’s Swedish Touring Car Championship entry, was spied in Sweden for the first time last week and is said to be close to a market launch.

Insiders have given no details away other than the BMW M3-eclipsing power output. It is unlikely Volvo would have stretched its six-cylinder engine to make such a figure, so power is expected to come from a turbocharged version of the 4.4-litre Yamaha V8 found in the XC90 (and 
the Noble M600).

A Haldex all-wheel drive system is also likely to feature, along with a pair of clever differentials taken from the C30 Polestar concept.

The spy pictures mask Polestar’s bodywork changes, but these are likely to include a more aggressive front end with additional engine cooling, plus wider sills and a diffuser at the rear. The spy pics do show the new, larger alloy wheels.

Polestar offers performance upgrades for various Volvo models, but it has not created a full-blown Volvo production car before. The Polestar C30, which used a 400bhp 2.5-litre, five-pot engine, was never given the green light, despite positive feedback.

 

[EvilDreams]

Will the lights still be on all the time?

 

[Joe T]

Will the lights still be on all the time?

DRLs like most cars these days? Probably yes.

 

[IAmATeaf]

Will the lights still be on all the time?

Tis the law now isn't it ?

 

[Something Else]

Tis the law now isn't it ?

i dont think it is yet

 

[Jono]

They were considering it a few years ago, hence some cars having them, but I think they changed their mind (maybe a temporary thing?) - many new cars still don't have them.

 

[Haggisman]

It's a legal requirement in Sweden, so highly likely.

 

[wez130]

Is this the same one thta was on TG last year, if so, it looked nice, and i thougght they were daft not to bring it into production.

 

[panthro]

How many people want a 500bhp S60?

 

[233]

How many people want a 500bhp S60?

optionless fast saab buyers?
police forces?
me


certainly be nice to see Volvo step up to the plate with a proper Hot car.

 

[panthro]

optionless fast saab buyers?
police forces?
me


certainly be nice to see Volvo step up to the plate with a proper Hot car.

Fast Saab buyers were/happy with 300bhp. This will cost significantly more than any fast Saab.
Police forces, how many will they buy?
What's the likelihood of you buying one brand new?

Volvo don't have a core of performance car enthusiasts. IMO they should just stick to what they do best.

This seems like another W12 Passat to me.

 

[233]

I'd imagine a lot depends on where Volvo price it

If its faster than an m3 and cheaper I'd imagine it will gain a bit of a cult following
And there's no reason why it can't be the flagship for a whole range of hot volvos ala subaru with the sti models the. Wrxs a tier below I'd certainly think there will be a lower spec ed cheaper variant of this that will sell by the bucketload on the coat tails of this


As for buying one Saab drivers see above sales stolen from fast audis and m cars
Lots of police forces like volvos although I doubt many would stomach a 500 bhp variant perhaps as above a lower spec circa 300 horses
And me well not at the most likely 40k price point. But at 3/4 yr old and a 1/4 to a 1/3 of that the. Hell yes

 

[Firestar_3x]

M3's sell by the bucket load because of the Badge and the fact it's an amazing car.

A 500bhp S60 is never going to be a big seller, hardly a shocker, the odd person will buy it to be different.

Several car makers have tried to take on the M3 (as an allround package), all have failed, can't see Volvo succeeding.

 

[Horse Pop]

Realistically I guess it's a) supposed to grab a bit of Saab's old business* but mostly b) to be a halo car and sell R-Design diesels.

* or the business GM wished Saab had. That is to say - people who are in the market segment for BMW but don't want a BMW.

edit
In fact, this sort of reminds me of those Volvo radio ads where a guy is dumping bossy unfun Helga for an easy going fun loving Swedish replacement.

 

[Dr House]

How many people want a 500bhp S60?

I don't think its about the numbers they sell more about trying to change the brand image.

Considering how much it must cost in R&D to build the M3/C63 do you think bmw and mercedes make that much out of them compared to say the C200 or 320d?

But it pulls the whole brand image up and helps with sales of the normal cars in the range.

 

[Confused]

If they do a V60 version with proper full-time 4wd and a few people buy them, it might be an option for me in a few years to upgrade the Legnum VR-4 to...

The current range-topping V60 has a 2.5 turbo unit producing around 300bhp and also has 4wd - I'm hoping some people buy them as well!

 

[Five_Star]

They are still to properly make that C30 by polestar based on the Focus ST / RS to beat the Audi RS3

Wish they'd made that over the new Focus ST any day

 

[panthro]

I don't think its about the numbers they sell more about trying to change the brand image.

If they wanted to change the brand image I'd expect them to offer a range of cars.

Considering how much it must cost in R&D to build the M3/C63 do you think bmw and mercedes make that much out of them compared to say the C200 or 320d?

Its blindingly obvious that they dont make more money out of an M3 than a 320. BMW and Mercedes have a rich motorsport and performance car history that allows them to build great cars like the M3/C63 etc.
Volvo have very limited motorsport history and if they are trying to make a car to rival the M3/C63, then personally I think its a waste of time. I'll be interested to see how they price it. It needs to be way below £50k to stand a credible chance.

But it pulls the whole brand image up and helps with sales of the normal cars in the range.

It makes their brand appeal to a different audience, but I highly doubt it will help with sales of their normal cars. Typically people who buy Volvo's have no interest in their motorsport credentials.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

I see this as being vaguely similar to the Lexus IS-F, i.e. pretty forgettable.
Don't get me wrong, I've been in a new S60 and think it's a fine car, this just seems a little pointless.
Sure, it'll have some big numbers in the performance stakes, however:
- I just don't see Volvo having spent the time/energy/cost on development that I believe BMW will have invested into the M3, so I simply can't see it being as well developed
- As a genuine perfomance car, the mix of a Haldex 4wd systems sounds a little counterproductive. I was given the impression that it tends to be a "less than optimum" solution for a genuine performance car.
- From a financial perspective, I simply don't see the sale potential as being sufficient to justify the investment. Sure, it could be priced "under cost" to allow it to compete on price, but assuming small sales (highly likely), this looks like a loss leader
- From a marketing perspective, it just feels a little extreme. I simply don't see an S60 customer walking into the showroom thinking "hey, I'd like to spend twice the costs on something with a petrol engine and x3 the power of the S60 D5 than I came in to look at. Vice versa, I don't see the existing M3 customer going anywhere near the Volvo showroom to begin with.

So, interesting idea, but seems doomed...

 

[Horse Pop]

Well presumably it's Haldex Gen 4 like on the Saab 9-3 2.8T or the new Gen 5 so it's a bit more advanced than the older system as fitted to Golf platform cars.