“A Performance Wagon with a Swedish Touch”
Wagon, Estate, Station Wagon, Shooting Brake, etc. no matter what name you give them, most if not all auto journalists will describe them as cool, awesome, sweet, or any synonym of the same. When that same wagon becomes a Performance Wagon, then we are talking God tier type of stuff. The 2023 Volvo V60 T8 Polestar Engineered is a vehicle that falls into this category. However, unlike the RS6 Avant, AMG E63 Wagon or BMW M3 Touring, the V60 Polestar is a performance wagon that offers a thrilling driving experience wrapped in a skin design that only slightly hints toward its race inspired DNA.
First let’s talk about Polestar. What most of you link the name with is an EV company with Volvoesque vehicles. However, before Polestar gave the world the likes of the Polestar 1, 2 and now 3. It was Volvo’s skunk works division. Taking mild mannered Volvo’s and turning them into fighting monsters that could hold their own against the likes of AMG and M-Division. To achieve these goals in the V60 Polestar Engineered, Polestar took the run of the mill V60 and squeezed and massaged the plug-in hybrid powertrain to produce a combined 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 mph in just 4.3 seconds.
How you ask? Well Polestar, upped the Gummiberry juice in the batteries from 9.1 to 14.9 kilowatt-hours. The rear axle electric motor was bumped from 87 to 143 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque. 2.0-liter inline-four has surrendered its supercharger (formerly a turbo and supercharged). The revised turbo-only mill makes 312 horses and 295 pound-feet on its own. The combination produces the T8 Powertrain.
The Polestar Engineered model also features a number of upgrades that make the driving experience more exciting and also to reign in all that go fast fun, including a sport-tuned suspension by ohlns, Brembo brakes, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. To hint toward its more aggressive tendencies it also comes with a unique Polestar styling package that includes gloss black exterior accents and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the V60 Polestar Engineered is just as impressive as it is on the outside. It features a luxurious interior with Nappa leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system. It also comes standard with Volvo’s latest safety and driver assistance features, such as Pilot Assist, Blind Spot Information System, and City Safety with Cross Traffic Alert. The infotainment (known as Sensus) was a slow antiquated system using Volvo’s own proprietary software. Fast forward a decade and we now have Google controlling the commands. Giving for a more refined experience, but still no less a menu intensive system, that requires you to dig deep to find settings. Luckily, a few quick access button controls allow you to control climate settings and radio control. Seating is well bolstered for spirited driving and provides ample room for adults. Rear storage is, well, great; it’s a station wagon after all.
Starting at $77,500, the V60 Polestar is a bargain when compared to other European alternatives which will command a six figure parting with your money and the numbers will continue to climb as you tick the option boxes. If you’re looking for a performance wagon that offers the perfect combination of B-road fun, luxury, safety and family responsibility, the 2023 Volvo V60 Polestar T8 Engineered is the perfect choice.
