The Polestar: Not the Volvo Your Parents Remember

by Alexandra Straub on Thursday, January 15th, 2015

“Polestar is evocative, sexy, incredibly agile and designed to satisfy with every ride…”

 

 

There are a few schools of thought when it comes to writing down your to-do lists.

One argument says that writing lists causes the brain to get lazy; therefore, it doesn’t retain information as easily because it knows there is a backup somewhere.

Another suggests that highly effective people write lists because when they scratch their tasks off, it creates positive reinforcement and motivates individuals to continue to work hard. Call my brain lazy, but I love writing lists.

It seemed only natural to have such a list while the Volvo’s performance version of V60 sportwagon was in my garage. The V60 Polestar is evocative, sexy, incredibly agile and designed to satisfy with every ride. And yes, this is a Volvo.

For those not familiar with the tuning division of Volvo, their roots go back to 1996 when they started working with the Swedish brand in regards to motorsports. Since then, they’ve helped develop not only track-worthy competitors, but also street cars.

Clad in a Rebel Blue robe, our time together would not be for eternity, but the memory will recall the experience without need of a list!

Here are just a few things that I felt inspired to do with the 345 horsepower V60.

1) Have fun.

2) Find some snow and play in it.

3) Paint my toenails the same colour as its exterior. You know, because it’s what all the cool kids are doing.

4) Impress first-time Volvo passengers with its competency.

5) Make a Polestar joke (or many) and see how many people laugh at my sharp wit.

6) Make use of its 692L cargo capacity.

7) Accelerate quickly. Make someone’s day.

And the list could go on…

The Lower Mainland doesn’t experience the wrath of winter as other parts of Canada do. Regardless, this V60 warmed up in a flash. Minutes into my drive the heated seats in full swing, the heated steering wheel toasting my fingers, and the hot air blowing out of the vents. The Swedes know cold and how to keep it outside.

The car’s handling prowess can be attributed to its front and rear Öhlins Shock Absorbers, MacPherson front and multilink independent rear suspension. This V60 gives you the confidence you’d like in turns while having a blast and making sure occupants are comfortable.

As for playing in the slippery and the snow, count on Volvo’s Haladex Four-Wheel Drive System to distribute power to the wheels that are in need of it the most. Add in razor-sharp steering and running errands just doesn’t feel like a chore anymore.

Then there’s what really gets the party started. Under its hood is a 3.0L, turbocharged T6 engine that produces the aforementioned 345 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Torque is harnessed as low as 2,800 rpm and then delivered via a 6-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters also come as standard equipment. If there were to be more of a kick while accelerating quickly, that would be welcome, but not necessary.

Speaking of acceleration, getting up to 100km/h from zero takes a mere 4.9 seconds. Getting you back to zero is made possible by using Polestar’s 14.6-inch ventilated front discs matched with six-piston Brembo calipers with 11.8-inch ventilated discs in the rear.

The only real drawback of the Polestar, I found, was its turning radius. Tight turns at low speeds wasn’t ideal, but if you need to a three or four-point turn to get into the mall’s cramped parking stalls, so be it.

At the end of our test time together, I’m happy to report that I checked off all the items on the list. If the universe unfolds in my favour, we shall meet again.

The Volvo V60 Polestar is available in limited quantities and has an MSRP of $66,895.

Visit www.volvocars.ca for more information.

Contact: alexandra [dot] straub [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

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