The Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Polestar is a midsize SUV rocket ship. However, it follows the traditional Volvo formula of safety, luxury and fuel economy. Because it does so many things so well (heck, it even looks good), the only deterrent for potential customers is the lofty price tag nearing $75,000. However, if you want the combo of baddest, safest and most economical SUV, your new ride may have arrived.
Let’s have a look at the powertrain that sets it apart from other vehicles. First, we have the supercharged and turbocharged Volvo powerplant I recently tested in the V60 wagon. The gasoline engine is good for 328 horsepower and that is coupled to an additional 87 horsepower electric motor. Anders Gustafsson, president and CEO of Volvo Car USA noted, “The introduction of the new Polestar Engineered trim on the S60 sold out online in under an hour. Polestar engineered modifications to the XC60 offer an additional dose of performance to an already powerful, responsive and efficient vehicle.”
The powertrain software has been optimized to provide faster access to torque and focus additional power to the rear wheels. This optimization allows the Volvo T8 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid to produce 415 horsepower and 494 lb-ft. of torque. If you don’t want to burn gas and operate efficiently, you can plug the Volvo in and recharge its battery pack. In fact, you can use the Volvo SUV for 18 miles on electricity alone. The battery pack can recharge in your garage in three hours on 240 volts, or six hours on a regular household plug.
In the looks department, Polestar racing cues are used throughout the design. The Akebono brakes look spectacular, and in my vehicle they echoed the gold seat belts. The exterior design features a sporty character with integrated black chrome tail pipes, high-gloss black grille, wheel arch extensions and discreet Polestar Engineered emblems at the front and rear. Additionally, the optional 22-inch Polestar wheels are to die for. They may not be the most practical choice, so 20-inch standard rims are available. If you have the funds for the car, a summer tire/wheel and winter tire/wheel setup may be the ultimate ticket. Your local performance enhancement specialist can point you in the right direction. Inside the car is Polestar’s charcoal color scheme with metal mesh aluminum panels. A Nappa leather/open-grid textile upholstery combined with a leather sport steering wheel and gear shifter combine performance with luxury touches.
Öhlins has always been among the most distinguished companies for aftermarket suspension components. The company pioneered a dual flow valve technology in the struts, which responds quickly to road imperfections. An Öhlins front strut bar increases the stiffness of the car’s body, allowing for more precise and responsive control. If you have a regular XC60, aftermarket suspension components can tighten everything up for a sportier ride. And an aftermarket front strut tower brace always looks the part when you pop open the hood.
On the infotainment side of things, the XC60 also features a Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system that sounds great but could use the extra authority of an aftermarket large-bore subwoofer. The 12.3-inch digital driver display looks good in the dashboard and is responsive without latency.
Additionally, the vehicle includes Volvo’s City Safety suite, which recognizes not only cars, but motorcycles, pedestrians and animals. According to Volvo, City Safety is based on a combined camera and radar unit integrated at the top of the windscreen, in front of the interior rear-view mirror. The latest technology upgrade is a smarter and faster high-sensitive, megapixel camera combined with advanced exposure control. This makes the detection and auto brake technology work effectively, especially when driving in darkness. Aftermarket companies are using similar technology that deploy a camera and radar unit and can alert the driver to potential obstacles.
So, the XC60 T8 E-AWD looks great. It is great on gas. Plus, it is relatively fast and luxurious. Not too many vehicles are capable of doing so many things well. It has the looks, sound and performance. The only drawback is the price. If your vehicle is lacking in one area, seek out your local mobile enhancement specialist where sound and safety can be added just like a brand-new vehicle.
