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Volvo's Polestar performance division might be about to morph into an electric cars specialist but before it does that, there's a few 'traditional' high performance models to deal with. Primary among those is the S60 and V60 Polestar, which have just been given a styling and aero boost, thanks to new carbon-fibre body components.
The new aerodynamic exterior package has been developed jointly by the engineers of Polestar and Cyan Racing, the motorsport partner of Polestar, with data and learnings derived from the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) programme where the team is involved in the title fight.
The new bits include a front splitter, side sills, and a bigger rear spoiler, which are together said to boost downforce by as much as 30 per cent. Polestar claims that the "new components increase grip and high-speed stability, providing a car with the duality of being at ease in everyday driving as well as providing the driver with further control and feedback on an inspiring stretch of road or during an evasive manoeuvre for example."
Many of these components were developed and tested during Polestar Cyan Racing's recently-revealed secret Nürburgring test where a Polestar S60 claimed the record for the fastest four-door road legal car around the infamous Nordschleife circuit. Other visual changes include high-gloss black Polestar diamond cut wheels, carbon fibre door mirror casings and a new colour; Bursting Blue Metallic. The interior has been updated with a new seat upholstery, blue contrast stitching and Polestar embroidering.
The rest of the S60 and V60 Polestar remain the same as before - both feature some 250 component changes from the standard models, adjustable Öhlins shock absorber system and six-piston Brembo brake callipers with 371 millimetre discs. They're there to keep the 367hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine in check. Even so, the S60 and V60 Polestar are capable of what Volvo describes as class-leading 7.8 litres/100km fuel economy and 179g/km emissions.
"The Model Year 18 S60 and V60 Polestar models are the pinnacle of our road car programmes that we have been developing successfully since our first road car was launched in 2013," said Jörgen Ronstad, Vice President, Product Strategy & Management at Polestar. "The aerodynamic enhancements, combined with other small but important changes, further enhances our base philosophy of a performance car for all roads and conditions, transferring technology and learnings from track to road."