The new top performer is the mid-size saloon S60 in T8 form with extra badges on the back that read: Polestar Engineered. Sweden’s response to AMG or M Sport, the fast Volvo draws on know-how from the now standalone sporty electric brand Polestar to fulfil its lofty drivers’ car aims.
The numbers are there: the plug-in hybrid model has a turbo four-cylinder engine with 314bhp which is topped up by an electric motor for a total 400bhp, enough for a Volvo 0-62mph sprint record of 4.4 seconds. The car costs £56,105.
The same plug-in powertrain is also available in Polestar Engineered versions of the V60 estate (£57,205) and XC60 SUV (£64,545), with deliveries due to start before the end of the year. All the Polestar Engineered cars benefit from high performance upgrades including Brembo or Akebono brakes, Öhlins adjustable shock absorbers, lightweight forged alloy wheels, a retuned automatic transmission and styling tweaks such as the Polestar signature of gold coloured brake calipers and seat belts.