Volvo Cars and electrified performance vehicle arm Polestar have launched a "new electrified performance offer" called Polestar Engineered, developed for the redesigned 60 series' new T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid variants.
The announcement came a week before the company revealed its redesigned S60 premium sports saloon at the opening of its first US manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina.
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The plant is the sole factory for the S60, first Volvo car to be made in the US.
Polestar Engineered, Volvo said, "applies its performance engineering expertise to the car's wheels, brakes, suspension and engine control unit" and "reflects Volvo Cars' and Polestar's commitment to electrification".
"Electric cars are our future," said Volvo Cars president and CEO Hakan Samuelsson in a statement.
"Today starts a new era of Volvo electrified models enhanced by Polestar's performance engineering prowess. This strategy is firmly grounded in our shared belief in an electric future for the car industry."
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By GlobalDataPolestar Engineered is available only for the top T8 Twin Engine version of the S60 and is positioned above the existing R-Design specification offered across most of the current Volvo Cars model line.
Polestar Engineered will also be available for the redesigned V60 estate (wagon) and XC60 SUV from next year, available globally in limited numbers via retailers and the new Care by Volvo subscription service.
New lightweight wheels have an open design to show off gold brake calipers, the new colour for Polestar Engineered components. Polestar emblems, black chrome exhaust pipes and gold seatbelts are also included.
The Brembo mono-block brake calipers are cast in one piece and optimised for rigidity. The brake pads have increased heat tolerance while the brake discs' slotted design further improves heat reduction.
The multi-link front and rear suspension incorporates premium Ohlins shock absorbers with a dual-flow valve that allows stiffening in the springs and dampeners while retaining comfort. The strut bar and adjustable shock absorber design are shared with the Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid performance car.
Software tweaks for the engine control unit increase output to 415hp combined with 670Nm of torque – the standard T8 Twin Engine delivers 400hp and 640Nm combined. The upgrades improve fuel consumption and emissions-neutral performance, and refine automatic gear selection.
"The new S60 T8 Polestar Engineered is an electrified car that does what you want it to," said Henrik Green, head of research and development at Volvo Cars.
"All components have been fine-tuned to work together, delivering a responsive and exciting driver's car."
