2020 Volvo S60 T8 Polestar Engineered Review
After featuring the history of Volvo's R and Polestar models, we needed to try out one for ourselves. Our Spotlight is on the 2020 Volvo S60 T8 eAWD Polestar Engineered.
Announced last year, the 2020 Volvo S60 received it's T8 trim & engine options for Canada including the Polestar Engineered version, the high-performance PHEV compact luxury sedan we've all been waiting for. The Polestar Engineered version comes with Volvo's 2.0L 4cyl twin-charged engine along with an electric-drive motor for the rear wheels. Total system power is 415 horsepower and 494 lb-ft of torque with a 0-100km time of just 4.3 seconds.
Our full tour and review of the 2020 Volvo S60 T8 Polestar Engineered goes over everything potential buyers would be interested in if they're in the market for an $82,250.00 luxury performance plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. This S60 T8 PE comes with a $900 Osmium Grey paint job and the $1,150 colour HUD. Aside from that it's fully loaded for the Canadian market, with unique black chrome accents throughout the exterior, gold Polestar Engineered/Brembo 6-piston front brakes, gold seat belts, unique Polestar badging on the front and back, and unique 19" forged aluminium rims.
The 2020 Volvo S60 Polestar also has Öhlins adjustable performance shock absorbers with manual adjustment, and performance-tuned springs and transverse-mount leaf spring. We go over how the Öhlins suspension adjustment works and how the ride feels when setup in a comfort-oriented feel over the rock-hard sport mode the vehicle was setup in on picking it up.
We discuss the few changes with the S60 T8 PE including the lack of quad-zone automatic climate control, as the rear seats loose on on the zone controls and centre vents due to the placement of the Li-ion batteries, along with the front seats not having ventilation or the option for massage. The full suite of Volvo safety technology through Intellisafe are available, including the 360º camera system, front and rear parking sensors, cross traffic alert, seatbelt reminders, and Volvo's Pilot Assist system.
TestDrive takes the 2020 Volvo S60 T8 eAWD Polestar Engineered on a road test to talk about how this vehicle performs, handles, and rides during daily on-road use rather than how it behaves on a track. We talk about the performance from the twin-engine system, along with the Pirelli Sottozero tires, and eAWD system. We also go over how this car might compare to the direct competition like the BMW M340i or Mercedes-AMG C 43 sedans.
We conduct our own winter testing with the S60 T8 Polestar including a quick 0-60mph test and the lack of launch control on this vehicle. We wrap up our full tour and review by going over our real-world fuel economy testing, what our experience was with the ~35km full electric range of the T8 system, and what we ultimately liked and disliked about the Volvo S60 T8 Polestar Engineered.