Volvo Aims For C63, M3, RS4 with S60 Polestar Performance Concept

The last time Volvo tried to take on the M3 and S4 directly, it was back in 2004 with the S60R AWD.  The final in a line of somewhat rare Volvo "R" models which started with the banana-yellow 850 T5-R in 1995, the S60R AWD was a pretty rapid car.  The standard 2.5L I5 benefited from a larger turbocharger, twin intercoolers, a worked over cylinder head and other changes for a solid 300bhp and 300lb-ft of torque.  Haldex AWD sent power to all four wheels, and the party trick was the adjustable, adaptive suspension called "4-C" which had a three modes - squishy, normal, and chiropractor.

However, while it was a sleeper par excellence, it never did the kind of sales numbers Volvo was expecting.  When the second-generation S60 came out in 2010, there was no "R" model - although considering the top-range S60 T6 packed an even 300bhp without the light-switch power delivery of the old R's five-cylinder, not many people missed it.  However, if this concept car is anything to go by, they may not have completely given up on the loony performance game yet.

This is the S60 Polestar Performance Concept, and it has three more horsepower than a Corvette Z06.  Just throwing that out there - there are a lot of cool things about this road-going concept (which was actually created by Polestar for an individual client), but the claimed 508 horsepower and 424lb-ft torque is probably the most noticeable.  How do you go about pulling 208 extra horsepower out of a 3.0L 6-cylinder?  With a larger turbocharger, of course.  Polestar (who preps Volvo's touring cars, as well as being known for the equally smurf-blue C30 Polestar concept that Top Gear was so fond of) starts by replacing the rotating assembly of the straight-six with more robust connecting rods, to handle all the extra power.  A large Garrett GT3171 turbocharger provides higher flow rates and boost levels, expelling through a Ferrita 3.5" exhaust system.  Up top, the cylinder head and intake manifold are modified for better flow and higher rpm's (with the redline now set to 7,100rpm).

While the standard S60 T6 comes with a 6-speed automatic, Polestar has swapped it out for a close-ratio M66C 6-speed manual transmission.  The car retains the normal Haldex AWD setup, incorporating a torque-vectoring differential in the back for a bit more "rotation" under cornering.  While some would be content to slap rods and a big turbo on it and call it a day, Polestar went pretty deep into the chassis to make sure the handling and grip match the extreme power output.  The track width grows 20mm up front and 40mm at the rear for a wider stance.  Öhlins three-way dampers and lowering springs hold it off the ground, and thicker swaybars at both ends keep the roll under control.  Further modifications include pillow bushing ball joints, and stiffer bushings in the engine subframe and control arms, as well as underbody chassis bracing.  Finally, a set of sexy 19x9.5" Polestar alloys are wrapped in sticky Michelin 265/30/ZR19's.

The brakes get an upgraded at all four corners to contain the 508 horsepower under the hood, with 380mm Brembo six-pistons up front, and 302mm 4-piston brakes in the rear.  They didn't leave the interior alone, either: there's a new set of sports seats up front (above) with more torso support, and alcantara trim lining most touch surfaces.  Outside, there's the Polestar blue paint, a more aggressive front fascia (which looks great), a carbon fiber rear diffuser, and a larger rear spoiler.  That, with the subtle bulge of the bodywork, gives the Polestar S60 a bit of an RS4 vibe to it - and it would probably be an epic sleeper in a less violent color!

So here's the real question.  Volvo didn't build the C30 Polestar despite great reviews, and I wouldn't bet the farm they want to build the S60 Polestar in series production.  It's probably a bit too over-the-top, a touch to insane to be a Volvo.  They say they're entertaining the idea of a small production run if there's enough interest, but here's what I think: drop that massive lag-prone turbocharger for something more reasonable - like a GT2871.  Keep the automatic, but beef it up with a transmission cooler, as well as oil and differential coolers.  Aim for around 400 horsepower with the eLSD still there, and sell it for $50,000.  See how quickly they disappear.  Let's keep our fingers crossed though - how cool is this smurf-blue rocketship?