A happier Matt St-Pierre would be very hard to find at this time of year or at nearly any other time. It’s quite easy to make MSP happy, actually. If he’s not getting his back and arms scratched or scoffing down a Bacon Cheeseburger with everything on it (no fries!) from Five Guys, then sitting at the helm of a turbocharged, AWD station wagon will do.
Volvo makes these and has been at it for a looooong while. The AWD part dates back slightly less than two decades, but as far as station wagons go they’re kings among men. Their latest for North America (the V60) makes me salivate, bad.
To make matters even more fluid-filled (too far?), they’ve gone and made a bonified street-legal high-performance racecar inspired version courtesy of Polestar know-how -- they own know-how.
For the eyes
Rebel Blue, long roof, big 20” wheels (19s fitted with winter rubber on my tester), aerodynamic bits, huge tailpipes, squat stance; it’s all there. The 2015 Volvo V60 inflicts me with a serious dose of whiplash every time I see one. Dress it up as such (Black Sapphire is the only other colour) and it becomes irresistible.
I sense I may eventually become somewhat annoying with my unhealthy (to some) love and appreciation for the station wagon, but not only is this car sexy and well proportioned but it is entirely functional. The saying, “form over function” does not apply here.
I was allowed a full two weeks with the V60 Polestar, and I promise you that I used it as a proper family and stuff hauler. The girlfriend and I purchased a new abode and moved many an item to the new venue. Not boxes of books and clothing mind you; no, a toolbox, chairs, and random other capacious items. They all fit in the boot with the rear bench down. Who needs a CUV?
For the soul
So. Much. Effortless. Torque.
To stir the soul, one must be rocked to the core, either in a gentle or forceful fashion. The Polestar menaces the horizon with the sweetest look, but when the big straight-6 revs up and boost builds, a little bit of poo may escape if one is not careful with the go-pedal.
Displacing 3.0L, the mill is the same featured in the T6 and R-Design that’s been on the receiving end of a lottle (that’s a little bit of a lot) love. Outputs vary from 300 to 325 horsepower for the aforementioned trims, while with Polestar power is bumped to 345 horsepower. The real juice is the car’s 369 lb-ft of torque.
Throttle response is quick, but not instantaneous. All is quickly forgiven once all that twisting power powerfully pushes the wagon. The swell is so gentle (yet firm) that a glance at the speedometer is necessary in order to avoid spending a weekend in the joint. Every time the go pedal comes within centimetres of the firewall, it is impossible not to smirk because of the I6’s muscle.
For the mind
A mind at ease is a happy one. Comfort and safety appease the mind. And, as we all know, Volvo’s all about safe and sound driving.
The body, your body, all bodies will yearn for the seats that adorn this car’s cabin. They are amongst the best I’ve ever experienced in any car in all price ranges. Their level of support and comfort are uncanny. And they look boss.
Most other elements of the car’s passenger quarters are standard Volvo fare, save for some carbon fibre trim, stitching and alcantara inserts.
The boot, as this is a station wagon, is quite capacious. I found out firsthand shortly, as I explained earlier. I LOVE STATION WAGONS!!!
The level of quality and craftsmanship in this car rivals the best the Germans have to offer and again, I dare anyone to find better perches.
For the road
The 2015 Volvo V60 Polestar is extremely versatile and in ways that would seem mutually exclusive. The Volvo will manage all manner of family business with ease and will double as a track car on the weekends. It’ll serve as a truck what with its large trunk and AWD, and will shuttle granny to dinner.
On that last note, grandma may find the ride to be slightly jarring, especially over uneven pavement. This is, after all, a near race-bred car. A T6 R-Design is not burdened (NOT that I would say that the Ohlin’s suspension is a burden) by the task of killing apexes and as such offers up a smoother ride.
Smoother surfaces do bring out the best in the Polestar’s sport-tuned suspension. Steering is heavy-ish, but not overly so and the brakes, although suffering from a wee too much pedal travel, are highly effective thanks to massive 6-piston Brembo front calipers and large discs.
At highways speed, the V60 revels at munching miles. It excels at covering distances, be they long or short. This car I would have kept…
For the $$
If you’d like to keep one for yourself, you’re in luck or rather you were. North America’s allowance of Polestars was increased, however, I suspect that by the time you read these lines, they’ll all have been spoken for. $66,895 was the magic amount…
Cars -- sorry, station wagons like the V60 Polestar are few and far between, especially where bang for the buck is concerned. The Audi Allroad and BMW 3-Series Touring are very nice but the Polestar will lap them in its sleep. Then there’s the E-Class wagon from Mercedes for far more dinero and, sadly, that’s about it for wagons… Tear…
The 2015 Volvo V60 Polestar is unique and I’m likely going to pick up a used example in a few years and do silly things to and with it.