By Veeno Dewan
The 2024 Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered is an offshoot variant of the Volvo V60 wagon. Sleek, solid looking, the V60 looks every inch the desirable expensive premium Swedish wagon it is. Its five-door format with a rear hatch and a useful cargo area make it supremely versatile The Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered as tested is the plug-in-hybrid powertrain variant with electric all-wheel drive, and Polestar Engineering to make it very performance focused with excellent handling and acceleration, Key change for 2024 is an increase in battery size from 9.1 kWh to 14.9 kWh, which increases EV range to handy 64km. Maximum power is now up to an astonishing 455 horsepower, with peak torque at 523 pound-feet. The V60 Polestar is distinguished by a Polestar Grill, Colour Coordinated Door Handles w/ Illumination and Puddle Lights. Hidden Tailpipes, Black Retractable Rear-View mirrors and a Bowers and Wilkins Premium Sound System. The Polestar Chassis is uprated with Öhlins Dampers with Polestar Engineered Stiffer Springs, front Brembo brakes Polestar engineered front strut brace, Bump Stops and 19” 5-Y Spoke Black Polished Forged Alloy Wheels. It looks exotic with a premium European image and feel about it. It comes superbly equipped and safety is extremely high as in all Volvo Vehicles.
The engine is a –2.0L, Direct-Injected Turbocharged Engine with total output of 455 hp and 523 pound-feet of torque. The revised turbo-only engine produces 312 horsepower and 295 pound-feet on its own and is aided by the battery. Power is transmitted to the ground via an 8-Speed Geartronic Automatic Transmission. Official ratings are 8.0 L/100 km in the city, 7.2 L/100 km on the highway, and 7.6 L/100 km combined —
The V60 Polestar has a starting price of 77,500 and offers a huge list of equipment such as: Panoramic Sunroof, Keyless Entry with Handsfree Tailgate Opening, 12.3” Driver Display, Power Adjustable Heated Front Seats with Driver Memory. Entertainment includes Google Automotive Services w/ Google Maps, Google Assistant & Google Play Store, Volvo Cars App w/ 4 Year Subscription, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto plus Sirius Satellite Radio. Creature features include: HomeLink™, 4 Zone Climate Control, Air Purifier, Heated Steering Wheel, ventilated Front Seats and a Head Up Display,
The V60 cabin itself is very typical Volvo; with a wonderfully bright and unique looking interior. Our tester in a tasteful Thunder Grey paint had the Charcoal Nappa leather/Leatherette/interior.
A plethora of metal detailing, tasteful trim, and chrome are also highlights. A large, sunroof, a power tailgate, and heated leather seats are also standard fare The seats are excellent as well — comfortable and incredibly supportive and the front cabin is very roomy. The standard powered lift gate opens up to 648 L of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 1431 L. Its low cargo floor height is a boon for loading stuff. Safety is high, with such features such as: Pilot Assist, Semi Autonomous Drive System w/ Adaptive Cruise Control, 360° Camera, Park Assist Front and Rear & Side LED Headlights with Active Bending Lights, Collision Mitigation Support, Front & Rear, Lane Keeping Aid, Descent Control. Road Sign Information (RSI) automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and other features too long to list.
On the road, The turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder unit offers smooth acceleration, and it was hard to detect any turbo lag. offers crisp off the line starts, and the eight-speed automatic delivers smooth shifts. The driving experience is particularly good, the solid chassis offers a ride that is compliant and comfortable. The Polestar engineered suspension exhibits little body roll or wandering when taking curves. There is excellent traction on all road surfaces and light trails. The steering is responsive. Hard cornering is taken care of it effortlessly. Acceleration is amazingly fast and this is true sleeper performance wagon on par with any of its contemporaries out there.as befits it specification and quality. The eight-speed automatic transmission is unobtrusive and the transition from Electric drive to the gas engine is almost undetectable. Brake regeneration can be activated by shifting the wagon into B instead of D,
Nothing too negative to write about the V60 Polestar. It is expensive and strangely although the battery is upgraded, a full charge will still require an overnight plug-in via a Level 2 charger. The V60 Polestar Engineered is sublime, is sleek, graceful, powerful, and extremely fast and undeniably special – and you will not see many around which is a huge plus point. With its brilliantly executed premium Swedish design it is well worth the price. Superb in so many ways.
2024 Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered. Priced as tested- to $77, 500 plus Freight & PDI .$2,620.
More info at www.volvo.ca
