Polestar wins the FIA World Touring Car Championship, and releases special editions to celebrate.

Polestar celebrates winning the FIA World Touring Car Championship with Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Performance World Champion Editions

Last week, Polestar Cyan Racing won the FIA World Touring Car Championship in a Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 race car, and the team’s Thed Björk secured the Driver’s Championship – the first Swede ever to win a motor racing world title. Polestar has today unveiled the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Performance World Champion Edition to celebrate Polestar Cyan Racing’s win.

“The engineers from Polestar and Cyan Racing have worked collaboratively on engineering developments for existing Polestar road cars for many years. It’s therefore fitting that we celebrate the remarkable achievement of securing our maiden World Championship by adding more performance to the cars that have been instrumental this season. With the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Performance World Champion Editions, we’ve created an accessible piece of history for many Volvo car owners,” said Christian Samson, responsible for Product and Development at Polestar.

The Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Performance World Champion Editions are available on all D4, D5, T5 and T6 models and include all available enhancements offered by the Polestar Performance Parts programme, being the 19” bespoke Polestar light alloy wheels plus performance-focused tyres, a free-flow stainless-steel exhaust system and sports air filter as well as uprated suspension dampers and springs. Visually, the car is differentiated internally thanks to interior highlights such as the Polestar gear lever, and exterior details such as a rear diffusor and rear spoiler.

All cars also receive the Polestar powertrain optimisation that increases power by up to 10hp and 50Nm of torque, as well as delivering faster gearshifts and improved throttle response.

The Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar Performance World Champion Editions are available from any Polestar retailer globally, where the Polestar Performance Parts can be fitted to new or pre-owned cars. For more information, visit: engineered.polestar.com

LA SHOW - Volvo launches the new V90 Cross Country and the Polestar S60 and V60 gets a huge boost too.

The 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country wagon made its first auto show appearance today, alongside the 2017 V60 Polestar wagon, at the Los Angeles Auto Show’s Automobility LA.

The eagerly awaited V90 Cross Country completes Volvo’s 90 Series line-up, while significant improvements have been made to both the S60 and V60 Polestars over the 2016 model, most notably a 362 horsepower version of Volvo’s Drive-E powertrain.

California is the world’s top market for Polestar vehicle sales, with Los Angeles alone accounting for 64 percent of sales in the state so far this year. California also ranks number two in U.S. Cross Country vehicle sales.

“The Americas markets, particularly the U.S. and especially the Western region, are very strong for both Cross Country and Polestar,” said Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President, Americas, and President and CEO, Volvo Cars USA. 

“The V90 Cross Country is the perfect luxury get-away car, as capable and comfortable on the daily commute as it is taking the family hiking or skiing. Polestars are driver’s cars for the educated enthusiast seeking something unique.” 

V90 CROSS COUNTRY

Since the introduction of the first Cross Country almost 20 years ago, Volvo Cars has become synonymous with the rugged all-road, all-weather product category, with a growing stable of Cross Country models.

Volvo Cars’ Cross Country models fulfil an increasingly important part of the Swedish automaker’s product portfolio as luxury car buyers seek out a more experienced-based lifestyle that occasionally takes them off the beaten track.

With some of the harshest winters on the planet and over 77 percent of the country covered in forest and lakes, Sweden is the natural place to develop and test extreme durability and all-weather capable cars. This hard-won expertise represents a large part of Volvo Cars’ heritage, reflected in the company’s Cross Country model line-up. 

“Our cars are well known for their safety, strength and durability. With All-Wheel Drive, increased ride height, and a chassis optimized for comfort and control in all weather and road conditions, the new V90 Cross Country takes our versatile V90 estate and adds the heart of an explorer,” said Dr. Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research & Development at Volvo Cars.

With Volvo Cars’ Scalable Product Architecture providing the underpinnings, the V90 Cross Country has undergone rigorous testing to ensure that it can survive the extremes in which it will ultimately find itself.

From secret testing facilities in the frozen north of Sweden, where temperatures regularly hit -40 degrees to the searing desert heat of Arizona, where Volvo Cars performs its high temperature testing program, the V90 Cross Country has been built to last.

With a design that clearly stands out from the crowd, the V90 Cross Country’s rugged character belies a sumptuous interior that delivers a level of luxury uncommon in the segment, combining all the benefits of the connectivity and entertainment features that were launched with the new S90 and V90, including a high-end sound system by Bowers & Wilkins.

 The V90 Cross Country’s exterior design cues communicate the powerful and dynamic capability that the car exemplifies, while offering the flexibility to choose from both rugged and elegant expressions.

“Designing a Volvo Cross Country is not a styling exercise, a plastic job. It is based on honest capability. The Volvo V90 Cross Country brings a surprising and intriguing combination of a strong, powerful exterior and a luxurious, Scandinavian interior. It will continue the genuine tradition of the Volvo Cross Country with a new recipe: The blend of powerful off-road capability in a most elegant, sophisticated, tailored wagon suit,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design at Volvo Cars.

The new V90 Cross Country takes this well-established segment to a new level of comfort-inspired capability. Production of the car is set to start this autumn at Volvo Cars Torslanda Plant in Sweden.

S60 AND V60 POLESTAR  

Polestar uses proven motorsport technology and experience to build road cars that deliver a confident, precise and exhilarating driving experience.

Polestars are vehicles with real world drivability – a Volvo performance car for all roads, all seasons, on any day.

The 2017 Polestars are the quickest cars Volvo has ever made – the new 362hp Polestar S60 sedan and V60 wagon.

Both cars make the zero-to-60 mph sprint in as little as 4.4 seconds with a (limited) top speed of 155 mph, powered by a specially-enhanced version of Volvo’s award-winning four cylinder Drive-E powertrain.

Polestar has taken an original two-liter Drive-E engine from standard V60 and S60 models and added a bigger turbo, a supercharger, new conrods, new camshafts, a larger air intake and a higher capacity fuel pump to augment the engine, and matched it with a BorgWarner four-wheel drive system and the new Polestar-optimized eight-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox.

On top of this new performance-optimized equipment, Polestar has reduced the car’s weight. The Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar are 53 pounds lighter over the front axle and 44 pounds lighter in total compared to the previous model years.

These two new models also mark the globalization of the Polestar brand.

The first road legal Polestar cars were launched in 2014 to limited markets. Today, Polestar is expanding the number of markets where Polestar cars will be sold, from 13 to 47 and doubling production volume from 750 cars a year up to 1500.

About 200 units have been allocated for the Americas markets.

Both cars trace their heritage to the new Volvo S60 Polestar TC1, the all-new FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) race car from Polestar Cyan Racing. The new road cars use the same base chassis, engine and philosophy of the team behind the development.

The race and road car feature a further developed four-cylinder Drive-E engine, with the two-liter, twin charged engine of the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar producing 362 horsepower (SAE) and 347 foot pounds in U.S. spec.

Despite the increased performance, fuel consumption and emissions are at an EPA-rated 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (23 combined), further proving the efficiency of Volvo’s Drive-E powertrain.

Part of the improved performance and especially handling compared to the previous model years is an optimized weight distribution.

Other new features on the cars include a new 20” lightweight rim, Polestar calibrated electro-assisted power steering and a new slotted brake disc of 371 millimeters.

Volvo, 20 years ago launched the V70 CC, today that CC Range has been expanded to more models and bigger sales.

Volvo Cars’ instrumental role in defining the adventurous Cross Country segment is widely acknowledged. With the imminent reveal of the new V90 Cross Country, the Swedish car maker is set to cement its leading role as the most capable and comfortable premium all-roader on offer and complete its 90 series line-up.

“Cross Country has become the true expression of a Volvo car in many people’s eyes. It was a winning concept from the start, perfect for the tough climate and road conditions that we experience in Sweden,” said Håkan Samuelsson, President & CEO, Volvo Car Group.

Developed in 1996, the first Cross Country estate combined functional flexibility and rugged capability. Today, 20 years later, the Cross Country segment is a familiar sight across the premium car market, providing a capable yet comfortable driving experience.

Extreme climate capability

Designed to cope with the demanding requirements of an extreme Scandinavian climate, Cross Country models perform in all sorts of road conditions – from muddy tracks and knee-deep snow to long-distance motorway driving. 

Proving a popular choice with horse and boat owners thanks to its high ground clearance, pulling power and responsive All-Wheel Drive, Cross Country has cemented its position as a premium mainstay and a true all-weather alternative to the SUV.

“We were very careful from the very beginning to ensure that the Cross Country concept was not just an exercise in rugged styling. 

We placed high demands on real-world capability, and as we developed the segment, we added the comfort and convenience elements that Volvo drivers have come to expect,” said Dr Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research & Development at Volvo Car Group.

The eagerly awaited V90 Cross Country will be revealed in mid-September.

First generation, 1997 – 2000

Developed as a capable alternative to the SUV and front-wheel-drive cars, Volvo Cars’ first Cross Country – the V70 XC – grew in popularity as old-school SUVs began to morph into city jeeps. Cross Country offered a new, adventurous take on motoring that delivered a competent mix of capability, functionality and comfort. 

The V70 XC was an instant success, especially in the North American market.

Second generation, 2000 – 2007

In 2000, the second-generation V70 XC came with much bolder styling and higher ground clearance.

When Volvo’s first SUV – the XC90 – came in 2002, the V70 XC received a newer, more modern All-Wheel Drive system and changed its name to XC70 in order to align to its bigger brother.

Third generation, 2007 – 2016

The third-generation Volvo Cross Country arrived in 2007 with added elegance and luxury. The XC70 continued to be a North American love affair, accounting for almost half of the total volume produced.

In 2014, the XC70 gained recognition around the globe as Zlatan Ibrahimović’s car thanks to a Volvo Cars commercial featuring the Swedish footballer. Such was the impact that sales of the model grew markedly during its last years of production.

Volvo Car UK is increasing its popular Twin Engine range with the addition of a new V60 variant.

Volvo Car UK is increasing its popular Twin Engine range with the addition of a new V60 variant that will appeal to business drivers thanks to its highly competitive economic and environmental benefits.

The V60 D5 Twin Engine offers business owners and company car drivers a unique combination of luxury, economy and tax efficiency. 

Introduced to the market in May 2016, Volvo’s V60 D5 Twin Engine has CO₂emissions of just 48g/km and qualifies for a Government plug-in car grant of £2,500, as well as a 100% first year writing down allowance and an incredibly low Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rate of just 7% this year.

The popularity of Volvo’s plug-in electric hybrid vehicles is demonstrated by the XC90 T8 Twin Engine’s sales figures, which have already exceeded year-to-date sales expectations for 2016 by nearly 10%. From the total of XC90 T8s sold in the UK so far, 57% of them have been fleet orders, split evenly across the Momentum, R-Design and Inscription trim levels.

Commercial print and packaging business, Elanders UK, recently placed an order for six V60 D5 Twin Engines, also taking an XC90 T8 onto their fleet. “The D5 Twin Engine version of Volvo’s V60 made such a strong impression with myself and the team that it instantly became the front-runner in our choice of new vehicles,” comments Chris Hewitt, managing director of Elanders UK.

“At Elanders, we strive to operate our business in the most ethical, safe and environmentally responsible way. Volvo’s Twin Engine technology combines the benefits of a pure electric drive, high performance and great fuel economy, making the V60 D5 and XC90 T8 the perfect choices for our fleet cars,” adds Hewitt.

The V60 has been an especially popular choice with fleet and company car drivers since the introduction of the D2 Business Edition and the D6 Twin Engine models to the V60 family. The V60 D5 Twin Engine sits comfortably in the C/D segment, offering unrivalled benefits to the driver when compared with its class rivals.

Car purchased	Recommended Retail Price	Government Plug-in Car Grant	Effective asset value (once Government Plug-in Car Grant is applied)	Writing down allowance		Corporation tax relief	Corporation tax relief at 20%
				(%)	(£)
D5 Twin Engine SE  Nav	£37,500.00	£2,500.00	£35,000.00	100%	£35,000.00	20%	£7,000.00
Competitor car over 75g/km CO2	£37,500.00	n/a	£37,500.00	18% per annum	£6,750.00	20%	£1,350.00

“The V60 blends all the essential work- and home-life features, including power and efficiency, class-leading safety systems and connective technology, striking the perfect balance for company car users,” comments Selwyn Cooper, head of business sales for Volvo Car UK. “The addition of the V60 D5 Twin Engine will only increase the V60’s appeal for business users, thanks to its impressive CO₂ and tax figures, and build on our global electrification strategy of introducing other plug-in hybrid vehicles to our range.”

Volvo Cars have announced the launch of the quickest cars they have ever made, the Polestar S60 & V60

Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, and Polestar, the performance brand owned by Volvo Cars, have announced the launch of the quickest cars they have ever made – the new 367hp Polestar S60 sedan and V60 wagon.

Both cars make the zero to 60MPH sprint in 4.7 seconds and are limited to a top speed of 155MPH, powered by a specially-enhanced version of Volvo’s award-winning four cylinder Drive-E powertrain.

Polestar has taken an original V60 and S60 and added a bigger turbo, a supercharger, new conrods, new camshafts, a larger air intake and a higher capacity fuel pump to augment the engine, and matched it with a BorgWarner four-wheel drive system and the new Polestar-optimised eight-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox.

On top of this new performance-optimized equipment, Polestar has radically reduced the car’s weight. The Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar are 53 lbs. lighter over the front axle and 44 lbs. lighter in total compared to the previous model years.

“These cars are properly quick,” said Niels Möller, Chief Operating Officer, Polestar. “But they are more than that. They combine Polestar’s 20 years racing pedigree with Volvo’s inherent pragmatism and engineering heritage. These are very quick cars that you can use every day of the year.”

These two new models also mark the globalization of the Polestar brand.

The first road legal Polestar cars were launched in 2014 to limited markets. Today, Polestar is delighted to announce that it is expanding the number of markets where a Polestar will be sold from 13 to 47 and doubling production volume from 750 cars a year up to 1500.

Both cars trace their heritage to the new Volvo S60 Polestar TC1, the all-new FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) race car from Polestar Cyan Racing. The new road cars use the same base chassis, engine and philosophy of the team behind the development.

“While used in vastly different ways, these cars share more than just technology. The core philosophy is the same, developed by people with the same passion. It is about creating performance that can be used in all situations, no matter if it’s about winning a championship or being able to enjoy a safe, functional and fun-to-drive car all year,” said Thed Björk, Polestar Cyan Racing race and development driver.

The race and road car feature a further developed four-cylinder Drive-E engine, with the two-liter, twin charged engine of the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar producing 367 horsepower and 347 ft. lbs.. The changes compared to the standard T6 engine include a bigger turbo, new conrods, new camshafts, a larger air intake and a higher capacity fuel pump.

Despite the increased performance, fuel consumption and emissions are at a class-leading level of 7.8 l/100 km and 179 CO2 g/km, further proving the efficiency of Volvo’s Drive-E powertrain.

Part of the improved performance and especially handling compared to the previous model years is an optimized weight distribution.

“All changes made to the car are about improving drivability and efficiency. The base of the new engine carries motorsport technology with solutions like the combination of turbo and supercharger, lightweight materials and more. This works hand-in-hand with our core philosophy and has enabled us to evolve the Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar,” said Henrik Fries, Vice President R&D, Polestar.

Other new features on the cars include a new 20” lightweight rim, Polestar calibrated electro-assisted power steering and a new slotted brake disc of 371 millimetres.

Volvo launches the new range of accessories to boost your normal car into a Polestar performance vehicle.

Polestar introduces a whole new line of high-performance products in the form of Polestar Performance Parts, offering even more driving pleasure to Volvo drivers.

Polestar Performance Parts offers a wide range of extensively developed enhancements for the Volvo S60, V40, V60 and XC60 models to begin with, including chassis parts, wheels, exhaust, interior and exterior details, and more.

"We have received strong feedback over a long period of time from customers all over the world regarding Polestar Performance Parts. We are delighted to be able to meet the demand, starting from today. This is a product improving on the already strong base of Volvo cars in terms of performance, handling and driving pleasure," said Niels Möller, Chief Operating Officer of Polestar.

All Polestar Performance Parts are designed under the philosophy "Made to Perform", fully utilising the 20-year motorsport experience of the engineers and racing drivers from Polestar and its motorsport partner Cyan Racing.

"What we learned on the racing circuits with our colleagues at Cyan Racing is that championships are not won in a single lap. The secret of our success on the tracks is in creating balanced and precise cars that are predictable for the driver to control in all situations. 

Lessons learned on the tracks are transferred directly into the development of our road cars and performance products. The new range of Polestar Performance Parts is no exception – they are designed and developed with the very same philosophy," said Henrik Fries, R&D Director of Polestar.

The Polestar Performance Parts can be purchased as a complete package, including chassis parts, wheels and tyres, intake and exhaust, as well as exterior and interior parts. All of these components will together create a more compelling driving experience, especially in combination with the Polestar Performance Optimisation, and can be bought in separate packages as well.

All Polestar Performance Parts are developed and tested together with Volvo Cars to the same high standards as all other products. This process ensures a perfect fit and finish, with no impact on the Volvo factory warranty, while most importantly increasing driving pleasure.

The Polestar Performance Parts will be available from participating Volvo dealers in April. Prices are yet to be announced. Further Volvo models will be included in the Polestar Performance Parts range in due course.