New Volvo S60 Polestar Performance Concept Packs 508-Horses

The one off model that is developed in conjunction by Volvo Cars Official Motorsports and its racing and tuning partner Polestar has already made its global debut on Saturday in Sweden. The so called new Volvo S60 Polestar Performance is especially made for a not yet unnamed buyer.

However, if the fact says that you really like this vehicle concept, you just need to be honest and tell the company about that since the two brands said that the modified S60s may be offered depending on public response.

Although some reports suggested that the S60 Polestar may be empowered by the XC90’s Yamaha- built V8, the company based the car on the S60 T6. The 3.0 liter turbocharged inline six sports the regular model and produces a total output of 300 horses or 304 PS that is transferred to all- four wheels. The unit enables the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h or 62 mph in 6.1 seconds sprint time, while reaching a top speed of 250 km/h or 155 mph.

However, for the new S60, the engineers have already applied some changes including the revamped cylinder head, combustion chambers, inlet manifold and air intake along with a larger Garret 3171 turbo. Well, thanks to those modifications, now the engine churns out a total output of 508 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 575 Nm or nearly 424 lb- ft of peak torque at 5,500 rpm. Such power is transferred into the wheels through a six- speed manual gearbox.

The chassis has also got some touches. It has been widened and reinforced, the Haldex all- wheel drive system and Ohlins suspension also have been tuned. Additionally the car is now equipped with bigger Brembo brakes.

With the new power, the car is now able to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h or 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds sprint time, while achieving a top speed of 300 km/h or more than 186 mph.

Since the new S60’s body was widened by 20 mm, now the car rides on 19 inch rims with 265/30 R19 tires. the tuning is completed with new a new front bumper with a splitter, side skirts, a discreet boot lid spoiler and a new rear bumper with a diffuser.

The changes not only appears on the exterior, it continues inside the car with the Polestar sport seats with increased support, Alcantara on all functional areas such as the steering wheel, gear knob, and seats added with a lowered center console lowered for improved gear-lever ergonomics.

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Volvo V40 T4

The Volvo V40 T4 SE Lux is the most powerful version of this new Audi A3 rival. Powered by a four-cylinder 177bhp turbo petrol, it’s packed with performance and safety kit and sits on 18-inch alloy wheels.

The cabin won’t shock anyone familiar with Volvos, but it builds on a proven formula: supportive leather seats, a three-spoke steering wheel, plus a stylish illuminated gearknob. Handy touches include a variable-height boot floor and a chilled glovebox.

Rear passengers benefit from more elbow room than in the C30 and S40, yet a six-footer’s head will brush the roof in the back.

The driving position is great, with good all-round vision, plus a reversing camera and safety systems such as Cross Traffic Alert. This uses radar to detect oncoming traffic when reversing onto a busy road. The clear, fully digital dash has dials that change colour for each driving mode: Eco, Elegant and Performance. The latter setting gives you a central speedometer with an integrated rev counter.

The electric power-steering has three modes, too, with a default Medium setting plus softer and sharper set-ups either side. They make a noticeable difference, but even in Medium the steering is well weighted with great turn-in.

The T4 soaks up bumps well, yet although its 177bhp engine is powerful, the six-speed dual-clutch transmission is poor. It shunts at low speeds and kicks back violently with even a minor jab on the throttle. In manual mode, the V40 is potent and fun, but in Drive this shunting really spoils the experience.

That’s a shame, as good body control is backed up by a sporty engine note and strong brakes.

The V40 is a refined cruiser. It’s also lavishly equipped, with Bluetooth and iPod integration, as well as plenty of safety gear: it boasts a world-first pedestrian airbag plus emergency braking.

Thanks to a standard stop-start system and regenerative brakes, the T4 returns 51.4mpg and will emit 129g/km of CO2. It’s priced at £25,480 for the manual and £26,965 for the dual-clutch.

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Volvo Unveils 13-Liter Natural Gas Engine for North American Market

Volvo Trucks unveiled last week its plans to launch a 13-liter heavy-duty natural gas engine featuring Westport high pressure direct injection (HPDI) technology. The engine, marketed under the “Blue Power” designation, is scheduled to launch for the North American market in 2014.

The engine’s advanced high pressure diesel ignition technology will provide significant fuel efficiency gains compared with current natural gas products. Combined with the company’s previously announced offering of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Volvo VNM and VNL model daycabs, the new engine will provide customers with a complete range of natural gas-powered transportation solutions. Volvo is also testing another fuel that can be produced from natural gas, DME (dimethyl ether), which has the potential to become an attractive alternative for the North American market.

Through advanced high pressure diesel ignition technology – using trace amounts of diesel to ignite the natural gas – Volvo’s LNG engine will deliver a 30-percent fuel efficiency improvement compared with spark-ignition (SI) engines, making it a viable alternative for demanding long-haul applications. The Volvo 13-liter LNG engine will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 20 percent compared with current diesel products.

The engine will accomplish these savings without sacrificing power, torque or fuel efficiency, all of which are critical attributes for on-highway operations. The Volvo Group was the number one supplier of 13-liter heavy-duty engines to the combined U.S. and Canadian market last year, and the same vertically integrated approach that has made Volvo a global powertrain leader is being applied to the development of the new engine. The company’s proprietary Volvo I-Shift automated mechanical transmission also will be available for customers to specify.

North America’s abundant supply of natural gas, and the reduced emissions and minimal aftertreatment CNG engines offer, make the technology an ideal solution for customers operating in localized or closed-loop applications. To meet current demand, Volvo offers the CNG-powered VNM daycab equipped with a factory-installed Cummins ISL G engine.

The company also recently announced that it is operating natural gas-powered VNL demonstrator trucks. The larger, more robust VNL model features a 12-liter Cummins- Westport ISX12 G gas engine. Factory production of the natural gas-powered VNL daycab will begin in conjunction with commercial availability of the 12-liter gas engine in early 2013. These heavy-duty engines feature maintenance-free aftertreatment, requiring only a three-way catalyst to meet EPA 2010 emissions standards.

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