Super station wagons aren’t for everyone and the 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar is no exception. Appealing to our primal nature is a 350 horsepower, 369 lb-ft of torque turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine that charges forth with abandon from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Additionally fulfilling the domestic and responsible checkboxes is a vehicle that can carry a rented shampoo rug cleaner and the tikes safely from the store to home with room to spare. Somehow the V60 Polestar manages to do all that and much, much more.
That ultimate combination might interest you about as much as the subtle difference between Volvo’s Rebel Blue and Ford’s Nitrous Blue. Practical family thinkers, even practical thinkers that like cars, might look twice at this $62k race car disguised as a family wagon and think “hmmm?” But if you’ve gotten this far, chances are good that the V60 Polestar is more than just a passing interest.
The 2016 Polestar edition V60 wagons have a more rigid chassis, which cater nicely to the 80 percent stiffer springs in comparison with the S60 R-Design. Featuring Ohlins shock absorbers, 20-inch Polestar wheels, and newly modified Brembo brakes, Volvo’s all-wheel drive family wagon is ready for canyon carving duty.
Aerodynamics on the 2016 edition Polestar vehicles are improved upon with the addition of the front splitters, which work to optimize the air flow beneath the car. The rear spoiler and diffuser increase the down-force substantially. The 6-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine has a new twin-scroll turbo and intercooler. Auditory confirmation that you are behind the wheel of a car that means business is a stainless steel exhaust system that gruffly sounds off.
The interior has beautiful new details and new materials in Polestar colors. You’ll find the vehicle totally decked out, starting with the steering wheel, the seats, and much more. Though it is easy on the eyes, it also increases driver support and control.
The materials and build quality are all top-notch. And if you like long-distance driving, you’ll love the comfortable and supportive seats. The brand’s ergonomic skills shine after a six-hour drive with barely any fatigue setting in. Front and rear headroom are surprisingly accommodating, although rear seat legroom is snug for passengers with longer limbs.
Unfortunately, the drone from the exhaust and the ultra-firm suspension keep it from being the ultimate road-trip vehicle. At 65 to 75 mph, the T6 engine is revving around 2200 rpm and the exhaust is resonating a frequency that sends the energy through the frame, bodywork, and everything in-between creating an awful humming sound. The stiffer suspension is brilliant on twisty roads but fails to impress on anything but smooth pavement.
It appears that Volvo enthusiasts are willing to forego the V60’s high-performance quirks. Initially, the Polestar high-performance Volvo models were introduced with low production numbers. Because customer response to the first Polestar models has been strong, Volvo is promising more for the 2016 model year. It will bring 265 cars to the U.S., including both the S60 Polestar sedan and V60 Polestar wagon. That may not sound like a lot, but it’s well above the 80 wagons and 40 sedans Volvo imported for 2015.
Watch as the fastest and hottest new Volvos, the 2015 Volvo S60 & V60 Polestar, debut at the Chicago Auto Show.
[doptg id=”23″]
| 2016 VOLVO V60 POLESTAR SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $61,300 |
| Price as tested | $62,240 |
| Engine | 3.0L twin-scroll turbocharged I6 |
| Power (hp) | 345 @ 5,250 rpm |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 369 @ 3,000 – 4,750 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain layout | front engine / rear-wheel-drive |
| Curb weight | 3,968 lbs |
| EPA-estimated fuel economy mpg | 18 / 27 / 21 (city/hwy/combined) |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph | 4.8 sec |
| Top speed | 155 mph (electronically limited) |
