Volvo is bringing back Polestar Engineered. The performance trim from the Swedish automaker is coming to the T8 hybrid models, starting with the S60.
Volvo is making the announcement a week before unveiling the new S60 as well as inaugurating the automaker's first US plant. The site will be the only one building the S60.
The Polestar brand was best known for its bright blue paint choices, and for bringing more power to the last-generation S and V60s. Since then, it was spun off into its own brand, building performance hybrids that are unique from Volvo's other offerings.
The new Polestar Engineered trim will boost performance of the S6 T8 Twin Engine hybrid and is set to be a step up from the R Design trims. Starting next year, it will expand to the V60 estate and XC60 crossovers.
The T8 Twin Engine drivetrain uses a 2.0L turbo and supercharged four-cylinder engine and adds two electric motors. One in the front, and one in the rear. Along with that is a lithium-ion battery pack that makes this a plug-in hybrid. The system output is currently 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. Polestar will engineer the system to make 415 hp and 494 lb-ft. Volvo also says that the software changes will improve fuel consumption and lower emissions.
But the Polestar S60 is more than just a bit more power. It has new lightweight wheels that show off gold-painted brake callipers. The Brembo six-piston callipers are one-piece cast for better rigidity and they clamp down on pads with increased heat tolerance to reduce fade.
The suspension features Öhlins adjustable dampers that have trick damping to make them stiffer while remaining comfortable. The adjustable shocks and stiffening strut bar are shared with the Polestar 1.
Finally, to let passengers know they're in the fast model, the Polestar cars will have golden-coloured seat belts.
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