2012 Volvo S60 Polestar

2012 Volvo S60 Polestar

For the uninitiated, Polestar is a Swedish firm whose core business is focused on research and development through motorsport. In the past, Polestar has successfully raced a range of Volvo models in various competitions, the most recent being the C30, which it currently uses to compete in the separate Swedish and World touring car championships. 

Recently, Volvo has been hinting at using Polestar’s talents to help develop a new range of performance models for public sale.

We’ve even seen a couple of concepts, like the one-off Performance Concept Prototype (PCP) from 2010 and last year’s S60 Performance Project, and Volvo has offered Polestar power upgrades through its dealer-installed ECU tuning software.

Now the Swedish automaker is launching its first official “Polestar” model, the Volvo S60 Polestar, which goes on sale later this year exclusively for the Australian market. The special edition model, of which only 50 will be built, is based on the S60 Performance Project, which itself is based on the S60 T6 R-Design.

It is the result of close collaboration between Volvo and its performance partners, Polestar and Heico Sportiv, and each car will be individually numbered on a special plaque going on the car’s floating console.

Like in the U.S., the engine software upgrade comes from Polestar and helps liberate 325 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. The result is a 0-60 mph dash in 5.8 seconds.

2012 Volvo S60 Polestar

2012 Volvo S60 Polestar

Tuning company, Heico Sportiv, provided the exclusive 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels in addition to its performance quad-exhaust system and bespoke rear air diffuser, both designed to further accentuate the S60 Polestar’s exhaust note.

Other modifications include R-Design sports suspension, which comes with monotube damping at the rear, as well as 15 percent stiffer springs and 20 percent stiffer bushings. The ride height is also lowered by 15 mm for even better road dynamics.

Inside, there are new sports seats with firmer side bolstering, a leather-clad three-spoke steering wheel, dials with blue surrounds and aluminum ridged pedals.

There’s no word if a similar special edition Volvo S60 Polestar will be launched in other markets.