New Volvo S60 to get ‘Polestar Engineered’ T8 PHEV performance option

The new Volvo S60 will be offered with a Polestar Engineered version of the range-topping T8 Twin Engine PHEV, to be followed by the V60 and XC60.

The new Volvo S60 is due to be revealed shortly as Volvo completes its new 60 Series family, and for the first time in a long time it will be a Volvo without a diesel engine option.

But the lack of a diesel option isn’t the only ‘First’ for the new S60, it is also the car which will launch Volvo’s new ‘Polestar Engineered’ option for the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid range-topping model.

The makeover from Polestar looks to be cosmetically reserved, as you’d expect, and the performance increase isn’t massive, but it’s a clear signal Volvo are keen to add a performance edge to their electrified offerings. Which is good.

The Polestar Engineered cars come with new lightweight alloys over gold painted Brembo brake callipers (it seems gold is the new Polestar signature colour), Polestar badges, black chrome exhaust tips and gold seat belts.

The multi-link Polestar Engineered suspension gets Ohlins shocks (just like the Polestar 1) and power increases to 409bhp, despite which Volvo say the Polestar Engineered cars will actually be, at least officially, more economical than the regular T8 models. And, we assume, quicker too.

Hakan Samuelsson, Volvo boss, said:

Electric cars are our future. 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.

The Polestar Engineered S60 will be available when the new S60 launches, and next year you’ll be able to option it on the T8 versions of the V60 and XC60 too.