2016 Volvo S60 Reviews

Build it and they will come. That’s the rationale behind Volvo Australia’s decision to fund the development of a 50-car run of a Polestar-enhanced S60 sedan that Carsguide believes will cost around $115,000 when it arrives in late June.It’s a calculated toss of the dice for both the local arm of the Swedish carmaker and the Polestar performance division. If they get it right, Volvo won’t just be seen as a maker of safe cars and Polestar will have graduated from motorsport specialists to a factory performance outfit along the lines of RenaultSport.The rest of the Volvo empire is closely watching the Australian pilot programme to see if they too want a piece of the Polestar pacesetter.VALUEThe cost of the car has yet to be finalised but Braid says the price will be well north of $100,000. That buys Volvo’s top-spec S60 T6 R-Design with added drivetrain and suspension upgrades that have to be driven to be appreciated. Interior updates are limited to the steering wheel and seats.Polestar acknowledges the inside needs a more upmarket look to differentiate the product but says the first step is to concentrate on how the car drives, rather than how it looks. Audi’s S4 sedan is the closest competition at $120,000 … and with less Nm than the Volvo it lacks the mid-range surge of the Swedish car.TECHNOLOGYThis is the first Volvo to carry a Polestar badge on the front grille. Polestar has previously fitted its discrete blue-square logo on the rear of vehicles that have undergone ECU and transmission software upgrades but they can’t compare to this S60.The (manually) adjustable Ohlins suspension and chassis updates - a stiffer strut brace and upgraded anti-roll bars - have transformed the car into a seriously quick steerer without affecting compliance around town. The ECU upgrades and a bigger turbo endows the S60’s 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with 257kW and 500+Nm and the transmission tweaks have accelerated the shift times of the six-speed auto in sports mode.The Haldex all-wheel-drive system has also been tuned to send more torque to the rear wheels and helps give the Volvo a 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds using the launch control program.DESIGNThe custom wheels, black side -mirror covers, front splitters, a boot spoiler and rear diffuser are the visual cues this isn’t a regular S60. It is all fairly discrete to the point the “doof-doof” crew that pulls up alongside in a locally built V8 won’t have much of an idea they’re about to be hosed by a Volvo.  The seats have more bolstering in the sides and a grippy alcantara covering to stop backsides from shifting on the seat.SAFETYThe S60 is one of the safest mid-sized sedans on sale and Polestar’s upgrades have only enhanced that reputation. Improved suspension and brakes should ensure features like the six airbags and ultra-strong passenger cell aren’t needed. A “City Safe” collision prevention assistance program visually and audibly warns the driver of imminent crashes with vehicles in front.DRIVINGThis is one attractive Swede, visually and viscerally. Hit the starter button and a muted snarl announces this Volvo has an attitude, an impression that is only reinforced by the off-the-line acceleration.  The surprise is that’s the least of this show pony’s tricks. Polestar doesn’t want to challenge Benz’s AMG or BMW’s M divisions in terms of outright power, or what Braid calls “brochure bragging rights”.They do want a car that is more refined for day-to-day driving but can stick with the above duo when the roads start to wander off the straight and narrow. It will take a comparo to show if that’s the case but a seat-of-the-pants assessment indicates Volvo might just manage it on the right stretch of tarmac.Track days will be a different story though. The transmission is the weak link in an otherwise race-ready package. Having already limited the amount of torque the Polestar crew is prepared to pump out of the engine, the auto isn’t quick enough to kick down on hard corner exits.Manual mode isn’t much more responsive and the shifter is counter-intuitive, with a push towards the dash to grab a higher gear and a pull back to drop down the cogs. Polestar is already looking at paddle shifters and a dual-clutch transmission but that will take time, given the company’s insistence on testing to OEM standards. And at this stage, Australia is the only country to request the car, which limits the development budget.VERDICTPolestar’s take on building a driver’s car has produced what is probably the most family friendly four-door sedan doing the rounds. It lacks the feral ferocity of its European rivals but the AWD system gives it an edge in marginal conditions and in the right hands it will embarrass some of its better-known competitors.FACTOIDA Northern Territory man is the first to stake a claim on the S60 Polestar, having rang his local dealership to put down a deposit within hours of the first story appearing on the internet.Volvo S60 PolestarPrice: $115,000 (estimate)Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmService interval: 12 months/15,000kmCapped price servicing: NoCrash rating: 5 starsEngine: turbo 3.0-litre six-cylinder, 257kW/500+NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, AWDThirst: 10.2L/100km, 243g/km CO2Dimension: 4.63m (L), 1.82m (W), 1.48m (H)Weight: 1648kgSpare: Repair kit/space-saver

Try as it might Volvo can't seem to shake its reputation for being boring and stodgy, even though the company is now part of the Ford empire and its cars are closely related to models carrying the blue oval.NEWUnder the Ford banner the cars carrying the Volvo slash are a far cry from the old Volvos, but still it seems the Volvo badge is enough to deter possible buyers from stopping off at its dealerships when out shopping for a prestige car.Take, for instance, the mid-sized S60 sedan, which is a well equipped, decent driving, attractive car by any measure, and yet it struggles for traction against rivals from BMW and Audi and the like that are the new aspirational makes.With the choice of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive the S60 chassis is capable of handling any type of road that comes its way with impressive aplomb. Equipped with ABS brakes and stability control there are no situations it can't deal with safely. Show it a flowing road and it comes up trumps.Not only does it handle impressively it also rides well, soaking up all sorts of road surfaces without fuss. If it drives nicely it also looks good with its distinctively Volvo front, smooth flowing lines and athletic profile.There's a good choice of petrol and diesel engines to give you the performance or economy you want, starting with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol four through to a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, with a couple of five-cylinder turbo-diesels in the midst of the range. Some criticised the auto transmission, which was said to be slow reacting and was often found wanting in its gear selection.NOWThe S60 released in 2010 is still relatively new to the market having been on the road for only a couple of years or so, so it's to be expected that there will be few reports of problems and our research with Volvo service specialists suggest that there is little to report at this stage of the car's life.Even though it's early days for the S60 it's still important that any car under consideration for purchase be checked for condition. It would be unusual for a car so new to be neglected when it comes to servicing, but it's still better to check its service record rather than assuming it has been done. Check inside and out for any signs of wear and tear that might bring the value down.It's also worth mentioning at this stage that with the Volvo brand on the nose with many people, rightly or wrongly, the resale value can be adversely affected. That applies equally when you're buying and when you are selling.It also needs to be noted that the S60 doesn't have a spare wheel, and there's no provision for carrying one. The only option is to carry a can of puncture repair foam.SMITHY SAYSLook beyond the brand and you'll find a decent car in the S60. Take a look.Volvo S60Price new: $51,990 to $69,990Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 132 kW/240 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 177 kW/320 Nm; 3.0-litre V6 turbo, 224 kW/440 Nm; 2.0-litre 5-cyl turbo-diesel, 120 kW/400 Nm; 2.4-litre 5-cyl turbo-diesel, 151 kW/420 NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWD, AWDEconomy: 7.4 L/100 km (T4), 8.6 L/100 km (T5), 10.2 L/100 km (T6), 5.9 L/100 km (D3), 7.1 L/100 km (D5)Body: 4-door sedanVariants: T4, T5, T6, D3, D5Safety: 5-star ANCAPCOMING UPHave you bought a Great Wall ute? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.

Canny motorists are facing a shopping bonanza as car makers start slashing prices to make way for new models. But it's not only outgoing models going cheap - look out for end-of-year sales as well.Any time a carmaker trumpets a new model, these shoppers are there ready to make a financial killing by buying up the old model. Look for sales at particular times of the year. June is traditionally a strong month for squeezing extra savings out of a dealer though, with a buoyant car market and fierce competition, anytime towards the end of any month can deliver a bonus.End of year sales are popular. Dealers always want to sell but the months of November and December provide a chance to discount cars built in the current year. Fighting this are car buyers who want a car built in the new year to preserve resale value. Here's some deals but be prepared for more as the calendar year draws to a close.HOLDENDeep Purple is no longer a rock band - it's Holden's new colour that is available on a range of cut-price “Z-Series” Commodore sedans, utes and wagons. The new colour is the same as Holden's iconic show car, the Efijy. Different models in the Z-Series line-up get different equipment levels but, as an example, the base Omega automatic is $41,990 but the Z-Series edition costs $39,990.The bonus is that the Z includes a heap of extras within that price, including leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, rear camera and sensors, leather steering wheel and chrome door frames. The SV6 ute adds 19-inch alloys, carpet mats and leather seats for $38,490, down $1000 on the plane-Jane SV6.The discounts on the VE Holden Commodore range precede the launch early next year of the VF Commodore models. Holden is also running out the Barina five-door manual hatch at $16,490, a saving of $500.TOYOTAYou'll have to do some legwork here. The new Corolla is on sale and some dealers still have stocks of the old model. Officially, there's no discount on the outgoing model though some dealers - predominantly NSW and Victoria - have extra stock and have advertised a $18,990 price, $1000 off the list price. Note that the cheapest 2013 Corolla is also $19,990. Toyota WA says customers should discuss pricing direct with their dealer.It's not only the Corolla that may offer savings. The RAV4 gets updated early next year and though there's no official price, dealers will consider offers. On top of that, Toyota has zero per cent finance on Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion until the end of the year.HYUNDAIThere's a lot of previous-model stock available from Hyundai and buyers can make big savings if they're not chasing the latest car. These include old-stock i30 hatchbacks with $2000 off the normal price and previous Santa Fe SUVs for up to $3000 off.But there are also current models. The big one is the $13,990 drive-away price on the i20 three door which saves $2500. A similar discount is on the five-door i20. The i40 wagon is now from $29,990 driveaway, a saving of about $3000, and the sedan model with automatic transmission is also from $29,990, saving about $2500.Hyundai's popular baby SUV, the ix35, is now from $27,990 driveaway for the Active version, a saving of $1120, while other ix35 variants have been reduced by $500.MITSUBISHIThe new Outlander SUV arrives November 18 so Mitsubishi is sweeping out current stock. The "Enhancement Pack" model is an LS version with leather seats, heated front seats and an electric-adjust driver's seat. It has Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys with a full-size alloy spare, six airbags for the front-wheel drive version (up from two) and a cabin styling pack with bright trim to the door handles, console panel and rear door trim.Prices start at $28,990 drive away for the LS front-wheel drive model with five-speed manual transmission. The normal price is $29,340 plus on-road costs so the saving is about $4500. But for buyers who want the new model, register on Mitsubishi's website and there's the chance to win a $1000 Westfield shopping voucher and 15 per cent off accessories for the new Outlander. If that's not tempting, Mitsubishi also has 0.9 per cent finance until the end of this month.SUBARUThe 2012 run out has just started for Subaru which has chopped up to $5000 off three models. It replaces its Liberty and Outback in early 2013 as a mid-life makeover that includes upgrades to trim specifications. There is an all-new Forester also due about February. So the deals are now on the table.The Outback 2.5i manual is usually $37,490 plus on-road costs (say, $5000) but is being rolled out the showroom door for $35,990 including all on-road costs. The same axe has lobbed on the Forester X which is now $32,990 drive-away including leather-faced seats, alloy wheels and fog lights.The normal retail price is $30,990 without the extras and without on-road costs. Subaru is selling the Liberty 2.5i sedan manual for $31,990 drive away with leather seats, electric driver's seat and reverse camera. The car normally sells for $32,990 plus on-road costs.FORDKuga Trend $35,490 drive away (normally $38,990 plus on-road costs) and the upmarket Titanium is now $41,490 drive away, previously $44,990 plus all on the road charges. The Kuga is to be replaced with a new model in early 2013.Focus Ambiente hatch now $19,990 drive away (normally $20,290 plus costs). The Mondeo Zetec hatch is $33,990 with all costs (usually $37,740 plus on-road fees) and Falcon's XR6 Turbo is down from $46,235 plus costs, to $43,490 drive away.KIAThere's a new Sorento SUV so the outgoing model has a $2000 gift voucher attached to its normal retail price.VOLKSWAGENIs running out stocks of the current Golf VI to make way for the Golf VII due early next year. Volkswagen Australia has set the price of the current Golf 77TSI manual at $20,990 including metallic paint and all drive-away costs. This is a saving of about $5000.The Golf Wagon 90TSI with DSG auto, metallic paint and all drive-away costs is now $29,990, saving about $3500. Note that for small-car wagon buyers, Volkswagen has not confirmed a wagon version of the new Golf. If you want this shape, this could be your last chance.VOLVOThe Swede is clearing out its 2012 stock by adding value rather than chopping the price tag. The S60 and V60 entry-level models now come with the upmarket Teknik pack valued at about $4500. But if you specify the Teknik model, Volvo will automatically give you the R-Design pack (valued at $3000) for free.The same deal applies to the XC60 SUV. There's also a deal on S60 or V60 from the dealer's existing stock. Volvo will include free scheduled servicing for three years or 100,000km.

Picture this. The boss tells you that everyone at work is going to get a tattoo of the company logo to show their loyalty. Tick . . . tick . . . tick . . . would you do it?The crazy, fun-loving Swedes at Volvo's skunkworks Polestar have done exactly that all 30 of them (they're so passionate about their brand). Launched in 1996, Polestar has been involved in motor racing for many years but has only recently turned its expert hand to building a go fast, road-going Volvo.The result is completely insane. Polestar has built only one of the cars so far and word has it that it will soon be in the hands of noted collector, US talk show host Jay Leno. The price? A cool $US300,000.THE GOODSWith a turbo-charged 3.0-litre six, the all-wheel drive S60 Polestar produces an astounding 374kW of power (or 508 horsepower in the old money) and thumping 575Nm of torque. It has a top speed of more than 300km/h and blasts from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds.DISASTER STRIKESSorry Jay. But there could be a slight holdup. For one thing, we blew the clutch driving the beast at Volvo's proving ground outside Gothenburg. Well, not personally, but we were part of a crew of Aussie journos that put the car in the pits.THE DETAILSFinished in stunning blue with gunmetal 19 in alloys, the S60 Polestar is a whole lotta car. Planning for a production version is still in the early stages, but the good news is that Australia is one of three countries that will be getting it  along with the UK and US.Sitting 30mm lower than the already sporty T6 on which it is based, the guards and front and rear aprons have all been replaced with pumped out, carbon-fibre panels to accommodate the larger, wider wheels shod with 265/35 Michelins.The track is 20mm wider and the body has been braced and reinforced to accommodate the extra demands of the powertrain that produces a massive 67 per cent more power. Power is fed to all four wheels through a six-speed manual tranny, Haldex clutch and limited slip rear diff.PERFORMANCEBloody quick. It's difficult to get off the line cleanly, but hits hard once the big Garrett turbocharger kicks in. It brakes hard too, late and deep into corners, with six-pot Brembo stoppers up front.THE COMPETITIONAlthough it hasn't signed off on the project its obvious Volvo plans to build a production version.How close it is in spec to the original remains to be seen? It will more than likely be determined by the competition, BMW's M3 and the Benz C63 AMG sedans not forgetting the Lexus IS-F. The cheapest, the IS-F, is priced from $127,000.TOO MUCH?It's almost too much car, especially on the tight circuit with little room for runoff. The engine revs to 7100rpm before the rev limiter kicks in which happens quickly, with holographic LEDs to indicate its time to change up. The thing is the production version will really need to be offered with a self-shifter, whether it's an auto or twin clutch.They are so much better at getting off the line quickly and, for those attracted by the lure of this tasty morsel  that's what it's all about. OZ Volvo Cars Australia is of course keen to get hold of the car, more for the halo effect that it will have on the brand than sales it will generate. Certainly, no one in their right mind could label this another "boring" Volvo  not by any stretch of the imagination.Volvo S60 PolestarPrice: from $US300,000Weight: 1640kgEngine: 3.0-litre six turbo-charged, 374kW/575NmTransmission: six-speed manual, all wheel driveTop speed: over 300kmph0-100kmph: 3.9 secs

VALUE from $42,990VALUE from $54,990Making the S60 look horribly over-priced, the Allure is standard with front and rear parking sensors (and parallel parking measurement), heated door mirrors, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, quad-zone climate control, rainsensing wipers, daytime running lights and much more.At $12,000 more than the Peugeot, the Volvo is awfully pricey. It gets, as standard, all of the usual equipment such as Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, electrically adjustable front seats and leather. But satnav is a $4K-plus option and it gets only rear sensors. Front sensors add $325. Hmmm.TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGYThe 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel makes 120kW/340Nm with almost 80 per cent of the grunt available from just off idle. The smooth six-speed automatic helps with impressive fuel use of 5.7L/100km. Its electrically assisted power steering is miles better than the Swede's.The 2.0-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel puts out 120kW/400Nm via a six-speed Powershift transmission - Ford's excellent take on a DSG. Fuel use is 5.7L/100km. The electrically assisted steering is far too disconnected. For $4175 you can add Volvo's active chassis control, Four-C.DESIGNDESIGNInside and out, Peugeot's designers have excelled and the 508 in either sedan or wagon guise is stunning.There isn't a single hiccup in the design. There's a heap of room front and rear and the quality of the materials is impressive, as is the boot space, 497 litres.The S60 has a swooping coupe-like look. The dash layout is pretty good but it lacks the quality look and feel of the 508's interior. There's decent room front and rear and ample steering and seating adjustment, yet you never feel totally comfortable behind the wheel. Boot space is only 380 litres.SAFETYSAFETYIt has a five-star ANCAP rating and six airbags as standard. Passive safety elements complement its active systems. The steering column and brake pedal are collapsible and there are seat belt pre-tensioners, stability and traction control among many other items.It's a Volvo, so just how safe is it? The S60 gets a five-star ANCAP rating and, as standard, City Safety (to avoid rearenders at up to 30km/h), six airbags, stability control, ABS with Ready Alert Brakes, seat belt pre-tensioners and Intelligent Driver Information System.DRIVINGDRIVINGThe typically French well-damped ride doesn't fall apart when you ask more from the car. There's barely a shudder on coarser bitumen. The steering is well weighted, the brakes are strong, all adding to the sense the 508 is more expensive than it really is.The chassis allows for spirited driving with impressive body control. Plenty of grip, too. The brakes are strong, even if the pedal is a little dead. The wellmatched engine and gearbox deliver strong, smooth oomph to flatten hills and make overtaking a cinch.FINAL POINTSFINAL POINTSVerdictThe 508 makes sense fiscally, it makes sense visually and in a driverly sense. As for the Volvo, well, it's good, but the Peugeot really does hit it for six.  

Do you really need to take out a second mortgage to afford a super sedan? If you’re looking for a muscle car without the brash looks, a super sedan without the GT price tag, Volvo -- with Polestar's help -- has the answer.DESIGNThe S60 Polestar looks subtly butch from every angle. From the quad exhausts and raked rear venturi, to the diamond cut 19-in Heico rims and wide open mouth -- ready to devour everything in its path. There is no doubt this is a headturner, and the test car’s fiery red finish further turned up the heat.INTERIORThe interior is very Ken with no hint of Barbie. Sporty, yet quietly understated. The seats are über supportive and comfortable, double stitched leather with an almost techni-fibre feel, fully electric with driver memory, and complemented by the rally-inspired steering wheel -- perfectly sculpted for fast driving.The instrument panel is clear and focused with the looks of a well-engineered sports watch. The only downside was the integrated audio satnav system. It’s typically Swedish with a menu for every setting and control, but is awkward to use without reading an entire manual. Entering a simple address proved quite a challenge. Best option: leave it off and enjoy the drive.VALUEWith a list price starting at $82,990 (incl. GST & LCT) and every feature under the sun, this presents a truly awesome value proposition. For build and exclusivity, it’s a cut above the FPV and HSV ranges, and sits very competitively against the BMW M5 and AMG models at almost half the price. Although not quite as quick as the others, it would be very hard to beat the S60 Polestar on value.SAFETYThe S60 gets a full five-star ANCAP crash rating. It has a distinguished list of non-invasive driver aids and safety features, being careful not to detract from the driving experience, yet providing that extra level of Swedish sensibility.From the active bi-xenon headlights bending round the corners, to the crash sensors all round to prevent those little knocks and scratches, I found them all useful at the right times, and invisible when not required. The traction control system proved to be well calibrated, only kicking in when pushed beyond reasonable limits on wet and twisty country lanes, unlike some others which are constantly spoiling your fun.DRIVING AND PERFORMANCETaking the S60 Polestar for a drive is an emotional all-sensory engaging experience. Squeeze, growl, push-push-push, change, whoosh. Repeat. And again. The never-ending stream of torque and power is relentless, all the way to the red line before the next gear is mercifully engaged, and the rush starts over again. Once the throttle is wide open, this car is brutal. Its power delivery is savage, corners arriving in mere moments and suddenly demanding immediate engagement of the anchors.Turn-in is a dream, with full confidence in the all-wheel drive system and oodles of traction from the P-Zero tyres to glide you round the corner onto the next straight, ready for the orchestra to kick off another explosive earfull of delight.  The drivetrain delivery is so well sorted and efficient, it feels like it has a lot more than the 242kW and 480Nm of torque quoted. The chassis dynamics are smooth and glued to the road, contrary to some reports, even on the bumpiest and roughest of country surfaces. The S60 Polestar is equally capable and comfortable just running around town as a daily driver.VERDICTThe Volvo S60 Polestar is all about driving, for the sheer indulgence and exhilaration. For a large super saloon, it felt like a mid-sized rally car. I was like a kid in a candy store and never wanted to leave it or put it down, just wanting to take it out for another drive and do it all over again. I hate traffic lights, but I found myself begging for reds.Only 50 have been built as a local experiment by Volvo Cars Australia in collaboration with Polestar, so exclusivity is guaranteed for some time to come. When I think of Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati, to a lesser extent this almost equates to AMG, BMW M and the Volvo S60 Polestar. This one's a keeper.Volvo S60 PolestarPrice: From $82,990Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbocharged 242kW/480NmTransmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel driveThirst: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?What is it?Volvo's first ultra sporty jigger, a collaboration between Volvo Australia and performance partners, Polestar and Heico Sportiv. Think of Polestar in the same terms as HSV or FPV. Just 50 examples of this limited edition have been bolted together.How much?Priced from $82,990 it costs $10,000 than the T6 R-Design on which it is based. Not cheap but in the context of its of the segment it's almost a bargain.What are competitors?Anything sporty from the Germans Audi, Benz and BMW. Think S4, C350 or 335i. The S60 is cheapest but not by much after some pruning by Benz.What's under the bonnet?3.0-litre turbocharged six with 242kW of power and 480Nm of torque, underpinned by all-wheel drive and hooked up to a six-speed manumatic (but oddly no paddles). That's an increase of 18kW and 40Nm respectively over the standard S60 T6 R-Design. Polestar provides the extra herbs and Heico Sportiv, provided the dark 19-inch alloys and quad-exhaust system along with a custom rear air diffuser.How does it go?Wooshda. 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds. Not Ferrari quick but quick enough to get the blood pumping.Is it economical?Can be. Depends on how you drive. We clocked up close to 800km at a rate of 9.4 litres/100km after a bit of play time. Before that it dropped as low as 8.9 (bear in mind it takes premium 95RON unleaded).Is it green?Gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from the Govt's Green Guide, with fuel consumption of 10.2 litres/100km and emissions of 242g/km CO2.Is it safe?Gets a full five stars, with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake (CWAB) including Queue Assist and Pedestrian Detection. Blind Spot Awareness too.Is it comfortable?Yep. Combo cloth and leather seats but as the top of the line S60 heated front seats should be standard. Elaborate steering wheel sits nicely in the hands.What's it like to drive?Easy-peasy. Pedal it softly or plant your foot and feel the difference. Good grip and strong acceleration. Sounds the biz under full throttle. Shame there's no digital speedo or speed camera warnings.Is it value for money?Features sports seats with firmer bolstering, leather clad three-spoke wheel, dials with blue surrounds and aluminium ridged pedals. Satnav and premium 12 speaker sound included.Would we buy one?Very attractive car at a very attractive price. Looks and goes extremely well, with high levels of comfort and performance. Forget any preconceptions you might have about boring Volvos.Volvo S60 T6 R-Design PolestarPrice: From $82,990Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbocharged 242kW/480NmTransmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel driveThirst: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

Picture this. The boss tells you that everyone at work is going to get a tattoo of the company logo to show their loyalty. Tick…tick…tick…would you do it?The crazy, fun-loving Swedes at Volvo's skunkworks Polestar have done exactly that - all 30 of them (they're passionate about their brand). Launched in 1996 and located in the city of Gothenburg, Polestar has been involved in motor racing for many years but has only recently turned its expert hand to building a road-going, go-fast Volvo. No one could accuse them of holding back.THE GOODSWith a turbo-charged 3.0-litre six, the all-wheel drive S60 Polestar produces an astounding 374kW of power (or 508 horsepower) and a thumping 575Nm of torque. It has a top speed of more than 300km/h and blasts from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds.JAY LENOPolestar has built only one of the cars so far and word has it that it will soon be in the hands of that noted collector, US talk show host Jay Leno.The price? A cool $US300,000. Jay's mechanic, "Volvo George" as he's nicknamed, is reported to own 75 Volvos himself, worked on the cars for 30 years and has apparently given the Polestar the thumbs up.DISASTER STRIKESSorry Jay. But there could be a slight delay in delivery mate. For one thing, we blew the clutch when test driving the beast at Volvo's proving ground outside Gothenburg this week. Well, not personally, but we were part of a crew of Australian journos who put the car in the pits for the rest of the day - luckily we got to drive it first (others weren't so lucky).THE DETAILSFinished in stunning Polestar blue with gunmetal grey 19 inch alloys, the S60 Polestar is a whole lotta car. Planning for a production version is still in the early stages, but the good news is that Australia is one of three countries that will be getting it - along with the UK and United States. Sitting 30mm lower than the already sporty T6 on which it is based, the guards and front and rear aprons have all been replaced with pumped out, carbon-fibre panels to accommodate the larger, wider wheels shod with 265/35 Michelins.The track is 20mm wider and the body has been braced and reinforced to accommodate the extra demands of the powertrain that produces a massive 67 per cent more power than a standard T6. Power is fed to all four wheels through a six-speed manual tranny, Haldex clutch and limited slip rear diff. Prior to this, Polestar built a race going version of the C30 hatch from which it has drawn experience.WHAT'S IT GO LIKE?Bloody quick. It's difficult to get off the line cleanly, but hits hard once the big Garret turbocharger kicks in. It brakes hard too, late and deep into corners, with six-pot Brembo stoppers up front. Weighing in at an optimised 1640kg, the battery has been relocated to the boot to provide better weight distribution and to free up much needed room under the crowded bonnet (blocking the ski hatch in the process).THE COMPETITIONAlthough it hasn't signed off on the project its obvious Volvo plans to build a production version of the car but probably for a lot less - how close it is in spec to the original remains to be seen? What and how much will more than likely be determined by the competition, BMW's M3 and the Benz C63 AMG sedans - not forgetting the Lexus IS-F. The cheapest, the IS-F, is priced from $127,000, the Benz from $153,000 and BMW M3 from $145,000 (Audi is yet to produce a new RS4). No matter how good the Volvo is, however, it's going to have an extremely difficult time persuading the cashed-up blokes that buy these cars to bypass any of these icons. Polestar's managing director Hans Baath said an initial run of 100 cars is planned but the company is not limited to this number.As yet the company has done nothing to promote the car, but news of it has travelled fast mainly by word of mouth. What did they have in mind when designing the S60? "We're a race team and we didn't benchmark the car against anything really," he said. "We want you to do that." The car looks purposeful but fashionably understated in an Audi sort of way. But the note from the two, large bore exhausts soon gives the show away.TOO MUCH?It's almost too much car, especially on the tight Volvo circuit with little room for runoff. We'd really need a couple of hours behind the wheel before feeling sufficiently comfortable to explore its limits. The engine revs to 7100rpm before the rev limiter kicks in which happens quickly, with holographic LEDs to indicate its time to change up. The shift action of the close ratio box is light and the clutch pedal is not what you'd call heavy, but with a high takeup point. The electro-hydraulic steering is also relatively light for a sports model. The thing is the production version will really need to be offered with a self-shifter as an option, whether it’s an auto or twin clutch.They are so much better at getting off the line quickly and, for those attracted by the lure of this tasty morsel - that's what it's all about (showing a clean pair of heels). We'll be interested to see what kind of time the car posts at the Nurburgring. Polestar says it has no plans to take it there, but it said the same thing about the previous C30 - only to be beaten by bad weather on the day.OZVolvo Cars Australia is of course keen to get hold of the car, more for the halo effect that it will have on the brand than sales it will generate. Certainly, no one in their right mind could label this another "boring" Volvo - not by any stretch of the imagination.The figures show Aussies are sports model focused, fixated almost with one in four Golfs sold being GTIs and one in 10 C-Class Benzs being C63AMGs. Volvo Cars Australia boss Matt Braid said sedans are the one weak link in the local lineup at the moment and the Polestar will have a huge spinoff in building the S60's profile. “The S60 sedan is a fantastic car in its own right but arguably that link will give us a leg up in credibility,'' he said.Volvo S60 PolestarPrice: from $US300,000Weight: 1640kgEngine: 3.0-litre six turbo-charged, 374kW/575NmTransmission: six-speed manual, all wheel drive 

You’ve heard about car names with unfortunate meanings in other languages, and it's still amusing to recall that Holden sold a Nova, which means "Doesn't go'' in Spanish, and that Mitsubishi went in for self-abuse with the most notorious example of all: the Pajero.It's delightful to come across an outfit that has stared the double entendre in the face and refused to blink. Meet Polestar, a Swedish workshop that turns Volvos into race cars. Recently it has applied its spanners to production cars, and the first one available is the S60 Polestar.VALUEI was surprised by the price. The S60 T6 starts at $64,990 and with R-Design trim previously topped out at $72,990. Effectively, the Polestar is a chipped engine and fancy wheels for another 10 grand. Once you're up at that level, German six-cylinders are almost within reach.TECHNOLOGYThe S60 Polestar is based on the S60 T6 junior exec, sedan or wagon, kitted out with Volvo's R-Design racy treatment. Polestar's main contribution is engine management software that turns up the turbocharger on the straight six.The outcome is 18kW more power, for 242kW, and 40Nm more torque, for 480Nm. That slices 0.3 seconds off its sprint to 100km/h to make it a sub six-second car. In other words, respectably rapid. There are quad exhausts at the rear, alongside a special diffuser and diamond cut 19-inch alloys, which will look terrific until they get kerbed.DESIGNIn a lot of respects, the car is identical to the R-Design version, with the same lowered and stiffened suspension. You also get sports seats in a grippy synthetic, coloured dials, shiny pedals and an attractive, if still a bit large, steering wheel.So the go-fast trim is restrained, and the result is a cabin as sensible as it usually is from Volvo, with a few reservations. The rear headrests and wide C-pillars, for example, get in the way of rear vision. The cabin is a metaphor for the car. If you buy this expecting precision performance, you'll be disappointed. It's a Volvo with more performance, but still a Volvo.Dynamically, it can't escape the handicap of an engine layout that is all wrong for quick cornering. The six-cylinder is slung out in front of the front axle and oriented east-west. So when you tip it into a bend, the suspension is trying to control a big lump of metal that straddles the centre-line of the car. The result is that you're never entirely sure where and when it's going to settle.DRIVINGVolvo has worked hard to overcome this problem, and surprisingly the Polestar doesn't understeer wildly, as physics suggests it should. It's benign, but uninspiring.The steering doesn't help. It has never been a Volvo strong point, but here it feels out of character with the ability of the driveline. It's doughy and slow, with a tendency to weight up oddly, and with this rubber, follow the road surface. It would have benefited from a little of Polestar's racing expertise.The engine itself delivers strong performance and the throttle is very direct. Despite this, if you are at the wrong place on the rev range, power delivery can fall in a hole. Sometimes this is no more than momentary turbo lag, as the air pump catches up with the engine speed. But I wondered whether the transmission had been retuned for the extra power because on a few occasions the two were singing from different hymn sheets.VERDICTOne omission here is paddle-shifters. If you want to self-shift, it's by the gear lever. Some of the changes make things worse. Those thin tyres mean a nobbly ride and the wheels thump down hard into potholes. Over many surfaces, there's too much road roar. The tuned S60 is respectably rapid, but the price seems hefty.Volvo S60 PolestarPrice: From $82,990Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbocharged 242kW/480NmTransmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel driveThirst: 10.2L/100km; 243g Co2 per km

I hated school. All I learned was that the meek shall inherit the earth, great things come in small packages and Volvo's are boxy and boring. Oh, and pie-ar-squared is 3.14. That stuff is either wrong or useless. Especially the bit about the Volvo, though in the case of the S60 T4, perhaps the small-engined version is something great in a small package. The T4 will shatter generations of ideals based on the formula that engine capacity equals performance.Volvo isn't alone on this thought - see what Ford, Mercedes and Volkswagen Group are doing - but there's no argument that this 1.6-litre petrol-fuelled mid-size S60 sedan is almost the perfect car, blending economy with excellent cabin space, top-notch build quality and safety, lots of features within a pretty body design, and is even sporty. Stick that in your classroom.VALUEA Swedish car for $48,990 is pretty attractive. Even though the car's made in Belgium and Volvo is owned by Geely of China, the S60 is heavily ingrained with Swedish fanatical attention to detail, ergonomic simplicity, harmonious styling and durable engineering. But no sense of humour, of course.The hardest bit here is trying to find rivals that have the same mix of style, features, performance, quality and safety. Goodies include City Safety (see safety section below), leather, quality audio, Bluetooth, alloy wheels and so on. It's even a great drive.DESIGNThe S60 looks compact yet is actually relatively roomy and manages to look distinctive on the road. In fact, its styling adds a few thousand dollars to the actual price. Cabin treatment is as subtle yet elegant as Ikea loungeroom furniture - but you don't have to assemble it yourself - with an uncomplicated switchgear design that doesn't confuse the driver.The S60 seats five adults - with only tall people objecting to the headroom of the rear seat - with a large boot. Unfortunately it does n't have a spare wheel which takes off a lot of bonus points.TECHNOLOGYThe big one is the drivetrain, with the tiny 1.6-litre shared with Ford Focus (in Europe) under the EcoBoost name and delivering a hefty 132kW/240Nm. It is the sister of the 2-litre EcoBoost also used in Volvos and Fords and, in its smallest guise, is just as impressive.The little four drives a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (also used by Ford) which delivers quick, seamless upshifts that ensures little momentum is lost between the cogs. Works beautifully.SAFETYVolvo's acclaimed City Safety - which is now being copied or being bought by other carmakers - is a boon for motorists and insurance companies. Just don't hold your breath for a big premium reduction. It works by cameras and radar to detect an object in front of the car.At speeds of up to about 30km/h, it will automatically brake the car before it hits any object, such as in a traffic queue. This goes with a five-star crash rating, lots of anti-slip and stability control systems, and six airbags. It's what you expect from Volvo.DRIVINGLove that engine. Despite its size, it's not a revver and has plenty of strong low-end torque. The six gears also help. The dual-clutch does have its moments when it gets lost between ratios so, to maximise performance end ensure the engine stays on heat, it's best to manually use the gearshifter.So it's surprisingly quick and delivers almost sporty performance that's matched by a subtle exhaust growl. The front-drive layout doesn't detract from handling, either, with precise cornering feel and a nice, flat cornering stance. Matched to that is the comfort of the wide, leather-trimmed seats and the ergonomic driving position. Rear parking sensors are standard and vital given the shape of the boot.VERDICTSmall works so well in this car that unless you regularly cart lots of people or tow a boat, it's a better bet than the 2-litre T5 version of the same car. Nice $3000 saving, too.VOLVO S60 T4Price: $48,990Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmResale: 56%Service Interval: 15,000km or 12 monthsEconomy: 7.4 l/100km; 173g/km CO2Safety Equipment: six airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC.Crash rating: 5 starEngine: 132kW/240Nm 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrolTransmission: Six-speed dual-clutch autoBody: 4-door, 5 seatsDimensions: 4628 (L); 1865mm (W); 1484mm (H); 2776mm (WB)Weight: 1495kgTyre size: 235/45R17Spare tyre: none