The S60 Polestar Engineered is a brilliant bit of kit with epic body control – The Sun

NOW this is a little bit confusing.

When tuning arm Polestar split from Volvo three years ago it posted a message on Instagram that simply said: The End.

The plan was to go it alone with its own range of electric performance cars.

And it has.

Polestar’s first pure electric car called Polestar 2 will arrive in the UK this summer.

For clarity, Polestar 1 is a very expensive, low-volume hybrid GT car not really meant for you and me.

Unless your name is Zlatan Ibrahimovic and you have £140,000 in a 50p jar. Polestar 3 is yet to show its face but it will be a performance SUV.


Key facts

VOLVO S60 T8 POLESTAR ENGINEERED

Price: £50,320

Engine: 2-litre petrol with 64kWh electric motor

Power: 405hp, 670Nm

0-62mph: 4.4 secs

Top speed: 155mph

Economy: 104mpg
CO2: 48g/km
Out: Now

But was 2017 really “The End” of the Volvo-Polestar marriage? Far from it. They’re still seeing each other for a bit of how’s your father by the look of it.

Because here’s a tuned-up S60 saloon badged Polestar Engineered. And there’s also a Polestar Engineered V60 estate to tempt you. And a Polestar Engineered XC60 SUV.

All three models are endowed with T8 twin engine petrol/electric plug-in hybrids with lots of horsepower and extremely good economy.

The S60 is hiked to 405hp and, unsurprisingly, is outrageously quick: The 0-62mph sprint takes 4.4 seconds, making it the fastest-accelerating road-going Volvo yet.

But as well as mincing hot hatches in a traffic light grand prix, it’s also the best Volvo to drive by miles.

The Ohlins dampers are magnificent, blending a firm but fair ride with epic body control and sharp handling, while the PHEV drivetrain punches hard through the AWD transmission.

It sounds decent, too, with the supercharger whine seeping into the cabin, while Polestar has fettled the steering to great effect.

As for looks, it stands out from a standard S60 R-Design with its gold callipers and gold seatbelts.

I’m not sure about the latter. They suit an AMG Merc, but a Volvo?

Polestar’s first pure electric car called Polestar 2 will arrive in the UK this summer

Now for the saintly bit. This thing is safer than a padded cell. Of course it is. It’s a Volvo. It’s loaded with all the driver assistance tech that’s ever been thought of.

Volvo also quotes more than a hundred miles to the gallon, which is quite frankly ridiculous, but just 48g/km CO2 emissions and an all-electric range of 27 miles are decent numbers.

The S60 Polestar Engineered is a brilliant bit of kit. Expensive at £50k, yes. Confusing, yes. But a tasty alternative to the fast German saloons.

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