Volvo Polestar Racing unveiled its 650 HP Volvo S60 that will debut in the 2014 V8 Supercars by driving it across the Sydney Harbour Bridge under police escort.
Volvo S60 V8 Supercar
“This is a significant day,” said Christian Dahl, owner of Polestar. “Polestar has been Volvo Car Group’s global performance and motorsport partner since 1996, and has campaigned Volvos in the World Touring Car Championship, the European Touring Car Championship and, currently, the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship. To that end, we’re looking forward to the challenge of the V8 Supercar Championship.”
Dahl was joined by Volvo Car Australia Managing Director Matt Braid, drivers Scott McLaughlin and Robert Dahlgren and team principal Garry Rogers to present the race car to the media.
“This is an historic day in the history of Volvo Car Australia,” said Matt Braid. “As the first luxury car manufacturer to enter V8 Supercars with a factory team, we’re delighted to reveal our Volvo S60 race car to meet the challenge of the world’s toughest touring car series and strengthen the presence of the S60 model line – and Volvo brand – here in Australia.”
Utilising the resources of Volvo, Polestar and GRM, the Volvo Polestar Racing S60 V8 Supercar has been designed and built to V8 Supercars’ ‘Car of the Future’ regulations. These regulations include 18-inch wheels, transaxle gearbox and independent rear suspension (see specification details below).
“This is a race car like no other. It is really challenging, but fun, to drive. The power is insane, you need to treat it with respect. I am very much longing for the season start in Adelaide where I am going to face the biggest challenge of my racing career,” said Dahlgren.
Volvo Car Australia has a rich heritage of motorsport in Australia, dating back to the 1960s, and posting some notable milestones, including winning the 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship with Robbie Francevic in a Volvo 240T.
Last year marked the 15th anniversary of Volvo winning Australia’s most famous race, the Bathurst 1000 in 1998 with Jim Richards and Rickard Rydell in a Volvo S40.
Indeed, some of Australia’s greatest names in motorsport have tasted success with Volvo including John Bowe and Peter Brock.
Garry Rogers commented: “For all the GRM staff it is incredibly satisfying to see the next step of all the hard work and energy they have put into designing and building the Volvo S60 V8 Supercar over the last 12 months. During this process, this same group of workers were also responsible for the preparation and running of our 2013 V8 Supercar Championship cars, so it makes me extremely proud to be surrounded by such a never-say- die group. We cannot wait to get on with the racing.”
With the first race at the Clipsal 500 fast approaching at the end of February, testing of the Valvoline Volvo S60 continues apace, with the official V8 Supercar test day taking place at Sydney Motorsport Park on 15 February.
Volvo S60 V8 Supercar technical information
Vehicle: Volvo S60
Engine: Modified Volvo B8444S (see below)
Transmission: Control Albins ST6 6 speed sequential Transaxle with integrated spool differential
Front suspension: Double wishbone suspension, adjustable damper and cockpit adjustable front anti-roll bar
Rear suspension: Control independent rear suspension, adjustable damper; cockpit adjustable anti-roll bar AP Racing 6 piston caliper, 395mm ventilated discs
Brakes: AP Racing 4 piston caliper, 355mm ventilated discs
Wheels: Control Rimstock 18” x 11” forged aluminium
Tyres: Dunlop control tyre
Weight: 1410KG (includes driver)
Top speed: 298+ km/h
0-100 km/h: 3.2 seconds
Steering: Custom rack and pinion power assisted steering
Shocks: Öhlins TTX Dampers
Electronics: MoTec ECU and Data Logging System
Engine technical information
Block: Modified Volvo B8444S, 60 degree aluminium cylinder block
Heads: Modified Volvo B8444S, aluminium
Bore x Stroke: 95.5 x 87.1
Capacity: 4989cc
Compression: 10:1
Power: 650bhp (estimated)
Max revs: 7500rpm
Induction: Naturally aspirated, eight throttle bodies
Fuel: E85
Liners: Cast in steel liners
Valve train: Double overhead camshafts, direct acting tappets
Ignition: Volvo B8444S coil on plug
Injection: Port injection, one injector per cylinder, injection pressure: 5.5 bar
