Volvo’s S60 saloon, V60 estate and XC60 SUV plug-in hybrid models have been given exclusive performance and handling upgrades from the carmaker’s Polestar electric performance brand.

Volvo S60 Polestar Engineered

On sale now – and starting first UK deliveries before the end of the year – the Polestar Engineered models are aimed at drivers looking for “distinctive, exclusive and efficient high-performance cars” and feature an upgraded version of Volvo’s T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain. The results make for the fastest-accelerating production Volvo car ever in the form of the S60 T8 Polestar Engineered.

Thanks to Polestar’s tuning, output from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the 390hp PHEV T8 Twin Engine is increased from 303hp to 318hp, giving a total system output of 405hp.

As a result, the S60 Polestar Engineered is capable of 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds while also able to provide electric-only zero-emissions driving of up to 27.3 miles and fuel economy of 104.5mpg (WLTP Combined cycle). It also has official CO2 emissions of 48g/km and is priced at £56,105 OTR.

In the case of the V60 T8 Twin Engine Polestar Engineered – priced at £57,205 OTR – the fuel, CO2 and electric-only range figures stay the same while 0-62mph time is 4.6 seconds.

And for the XC60 T8 Twin Engine Polestar Engineered – £64,545 OTR – the 0-62mph time is 5.4 seconds, with WLTP Combined fuel economy of 88.2mpg, CO2 emissions of 56g/km and electric-only range of 22.4 miles.

The Polestar Engineered lines have also been upgraded for improved dynamics with elements including Brembo or Akebono brakes, Öhlins adjustable shock absorbers, lightweight forged alloy wheels and a retuned automatic transmission to bring quicker gearshifts and a more precise shift programme that minimises gearchanges when cornering quickly.

Positioned as the flagship variants in each model line-up and sitting above R-Design Plus (S60 and V60)/R-Design Pro (XC60), the models also get exclusive design changes that include 19-inch Y-spoke wheels with contrast polished and black finish (21-inch for XC60), black front grille surround, black chrome exhaust tailpipes, signature gold-coloured brake callipers and seatbelts, and Polestar branding.

Equipment additions to the S60 and V60 R-Design Plus grade bring a heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon premium audio system and aluminium front tread plates. The XC60 benefits from the same upgrades as for the R-Design Pro specification, with the addition of metallic paint (a heated steering wheel is standard on the XC60 R-Design Pro).