2016 Volvo V60 Polestar Review by Carey Russ +VIDEO

The 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar combines the usefulness, versatility, and stealth of a wagon with the performance of a first-rate sports car

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS

• SEE ALSO: Volvo Research and Buyers Guide

High-performance wagon? Isn't that an oxymoron of the first order, right up there with such clich�s as "military intelligence", "bureaucratic efficiency", and "jumbo shrimp"?

Actually, there is such a vehicle as a high-performance wagon, and it should be no surprise that said superwagon comes from Volvo. Crossovers may have replaced the station wagon in most manufacturers' lineups, and can even be found in Volvo's own offerings. But a wagon is lower, with a lower center of gravity for better handling and likely less weight. Volvo is not a large automaker but does dominate the wagon niche. And has used high-performance wagons as aspirational "halo cars" and even racing cars before.

When Volvo switched from boxy rear-wheel drive cars to slightly less boxy and front wheel drive with the 850 twenty-plus years ago, they decided to enter European touring car racing to show the new design's abilities -- and did so in the 1994 British Touring Car Championship with modified 850 Estates. "Estate" is British for "wagon", and in this case was a front-wheel drive machine with a highly-tuned version of Volvo's then-current five-cylinder engine making 280 horsepower. Imagine established sports-sedan makers beaten by Volvo wagons! Which often cornered on two wheels. Alas, rules changes meant that the wagon body wasn't used after `94.

So there is a precedent for a high-performance Volvo wagon. And in the recent regular lineup there was the V60 R-Design with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with 325 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque and a performance potential that makes the old BTCC 850 look like it's standing still.

But there's always a desire for more… and for those who want that in a Volvo there is Polestar. Polestar was originally an independent tuner, in charge of many a Volvo racing program since the late `90s, and was purchased by Volvo in mid-2015. So think "factory tuner", in the same vein as Mercedes-Benz's AMG if on a much smaller scale. Polestar makes performance products for Volvos -- and high-performance Volvos. Including highly-modified S60 sedans and V60 wagons. Despite their performance abilities, Polestar cars are meant to be daily drivers, not weekend toys. And what could be better for a quick trip to IKEA than a Polestar wagon? You even have enough space inside for lots of assemble-it-yourself furniture. Try that in a small exotic sports car!

A Polestar Volvo has the same fuel economy and emissions ratings as its regular production counterpart. There are over 70 changes from the production R-Design cars, more for improvements in cornering ability than straight-line speed -- but engine performance is also enhanced, to the tune of another 25 horsepower and 14 lb-ft of torque.

I've just spent a memorable week with a 2016 Polestar V60. Despite its power and performance-oriented suspension, it could make a fine daily driver since the suspension tuning is compliant enough for even my local poorly-maintained roads. It has all of the space and versatility advantages of a small wagon -- think stretch-hatchback, a four-door C30 coupe but with significantly more go power -- and all of the stealth advantages of a wagon. And a Polestar Volvo is exclusive, with something like 750 made for worldwide distribution and 120 examples imported to the US market for each recent years, here split 80 V60 wagons and 40 S60 sedans. If that's a bit extreme or unavailable for you, there are Polestar performance bits for the other wagons and sedans. And production is expected to increase significantly in the future -- when the supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine used in non-R-Design T6 Volvos will be used. Further breathed upon, of course -- for more power with less weight, always a good thing.

If you think of Volvos as slow and stodgy, Not Even! Especially if the Volvo in question has Polestar badges.

APPEARANCE: The bright "Rebel Blue" paint is a giveaway, as it's the Polestar signature color. Other differences from a regular V60 wagon are more subtle. As with the regular V60, forget any notion of wagon as frumpy, boring box. There is more taper to the roofline than is usual for a wagon, and the ovalish shape of the side windows further emphasizes that. The car looks light and lithe. It has interesting lines and details but is not overstyled. Taillights reaching to the roof have long been a Volvo styling cue. Polestar changes are functional, with a more-pronounced splitter at the front to manage underbody airflow and a larger diffuser at the rear to produce downforce at speed for stability. The wheels are designed to improve cooling airflow for the brakes. Despite all of that, the front splitter is not so low as to require obsessive caution in normal driving -- it even clears the rolled curb at the end of my driveway.

COMFORT: As outside, the Polestar V60's interior is only a bit different from that of its lesser siblings. Think Swedish Modern with sports flair. Most apparent are the front seats -- properly bolstered to hold you in at speed and as ergonomically-correct and comfortable as expected in a Volvo, and not difficult to get into or out of. And power-adjustable, with blue stitching. There's a faux carbon-fiber applique on the face of the "flying buttress" center stack, which as in all Volvos has useful space behind. The bright TFT-instrument display is easily visible and similar to that found in lesser Volvos. All of the expected information and entertainment systems and abilities are included. Compared to its less sport-oriented brethren, there is no lack of creature comforts or conveniences or storage. As in other wagons, the interior design, load space, and 40/20/40 folding rear seatback mean plenty of cargo capacity, or even camping space for short people. There is only a fix-a-flat kit under the rear load floor, but it's a wagon so if you need a real spare, there's space.

SAFETY: "Volvo" doesn't really mean "safety" in Swedish, but the V60 Polestar has all of the required and expected safety equipment and construction for both passive and active safety. Its unibody structure was designed and built to protect occupants, and a full complement of airbags, the Whiplash Protection Seating System (WHIPS) for the front seats, and the City Safety System, which automatically applies brakes if sensors determine that a collision is imminent at speeds up to 19 mph (30 kph) and more handle passive safety. Excellent handling and maneuverability and strong antilock four-wheel disc brakes with a variety of assistance systems take care of active safety. The accident you don't have it always the best one… and extra power can mean you can accelerate out of an otherwise dire situation. Electronic systems such as blind-spot warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning With Full Auto Brake, Driver Alert Control, Lane Departure Warning and more are included here.

RIDE AND HANDLING: Although the basic suspension design is the same as in other S and V60s, with MacPherson struts in front and a multilink setup in the rear, Polestar takes the regular Sport Package and even R-Design suspension calibrations further. With 80% stiffer springs and high-performance Ohlins shock dampers you might think this would be harsh and unforgiving. If you're used to a 90s SUV or 50s American luxury car, maybe. Here, the ride is appropriately firm but not at all uncomfortable, and maneuverability will only be criticized by those who really want a track car. While you could entertain yourself on the track with this car (and that would be highly recommended for driver's license reasons, and safety as you could get closer to limits, both your own and the cars') it is an everyday, all-(reasonable) weather machine. And a wonderful one. Need to stop quickly? Large vented brake discs gripped by six-piston Brembo calipers will see to that.

PERFORMANCE: A new twin-scroll turbocharger and larger intercooler top the changes Polestar makes to Volvo's 3.0-liter inline six. Its 350 horsepower (at 5250 rpm) and 368 lb-ft of torque (from 3000 through 4750 rpm) best the R-Design's 325 hp and 354 lb-ft, and help drop the 0-60 time from 5.5 seconds to 4.8. Software changes to the six-speed automatic transmission allow for quicker, firmer shifts. The Haldex-based all-wheel drive system is biased toward the rear, a good thing with all that torque. No torque steer here! There are two driving modes. Normal is good for everyday use, and feels quite civilized. Put it in Sport and, well, remember the Norse legends of the Berserkers? The Swedes are their descendants… the exhaust system is rerouted and noticeably louder, the transmission downshifts a few gears, and you get from here to there right quickly. Push-to-pass, indeed! Injudicious use of that will make your favorite fuel supplier happy. Mostly I kept it in standard mode, and was rewarded by 22 mpg in a mix of city, highway, and fun-road driving. The torque spec tells all -- this is not a peaky engine, and is just as happy loafing along in a high gear as it is channelling old Norse warriors.

CONCLUSIONS: The 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar combines the usefulness, versatility, and stealth of a wagon with the performance of a first-rate sports car. With no loss of fuel economy or safety and no increase in emissions.

SPECIFICATIONS

2016 Volvo V60 Polestar

Base Price $ not available, estimated circa $60,000

Price As Tested $ n/a

Engine Type turbocharged and intercooled inline 6-cylinder

Engine Size 3.0 liters / 180 cu. in.

Horsepower 350 @ 5250 rpm

Torque (lb-ft) 368 @ 3000-4750 rpm

Transmission 6-speed automatic

Wheelbase / Length 109.3 in. / 182.5 in.

Curb Weight 3970 lbs.

Pounds Per Horsepower 11.3

Fuel Capacity 17.8 gal.

Fuel Requirement 91 octane premium unleaded gasoline

Tires 245/35ZR20 95Y Michelin Pilot Super Sport

Brakes, front/rear vented disc all around, Brembo calipers

Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut / independent multilink

Drivetrain transverse front engine, all-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE

EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed n/a / n/a / 22

0 to 60 mph 4.8 sec

OPTIONS AND CHARGES

n/a