Volvo V60 T8 Twin Engine Polestar Engineered 2019 first drive

The V60 T8 Twin Engine Polestar Engineered is a confusing car because adjustable dampers are the preserve of track-day specials such as the new Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro. To find them on a hybrid estate is like discovering Isofix points on a Caterham Seven, and difficult not to wonder why exactly Volvo has made this car. 

We'll therefore focus on the Öhlins suspension. Of all the additions, it’s the most intriguing, and we've already covered the fundamental T8 Twin Engine powertrain in detail elsewhere. 

First, though, there’s a definite improvement in the steering response. The motion is now cleaner as it moves away from centre and it's easier to judge the surprisingly small inputs needed to guide the car along a curving stretch of road. There's also now an extra level of tacticility (most likely from the new Pirelli P Zero tyres, and perhaps the lighter, forged alloys) although ultimately this set-up still lacks the bubbling feedback you'll get from a Mercedes-AMG C-Class or the deadpan accuracy of the helm in an Audi RS4 Avant. But it isn't a bad effort, and is appreciably more engaging than typical Volvo fare. 

You notice the new six-piston brakes, too. The biting point is now better defined and the progressive delivery of braking force more linear and simply more resolute. Just like the steering, it's much improved for making smaller inputs and, in broader terms, it's good to see a brand that recently annouced plans to limit every car it makes to 112mph making thoughtful detail revisions that improve the actual driving experience (as well it should, for almost £60,000, but we'll come to that in a moment).

Now, the dampers themselves. They can be moved through 22 clicks, with position zero the firmest. Bury deep enough into the digital owner’s manual, accessed via the 9.0in touchscreen, and you can even find some official recommendations. The default factory setting calls for position six at the front and nine at the rear. There are also suggestions for comfort (12 and 15, respectively) and performance (two and four), although the same manual contradicts itself by also recommending that the front and rear axles always be set to the same position.

Polestar Engineered is an interesting concept, but also an awkward one. The marque clearly wants to create a halo effect for its regular saloon and estate models, and it also wants to challenge in the highest performance bracket of those markets – against the Audi RS, Mercedes-AMG and BMW M models, which sell well and have lately become dream marketing fodder. 

Being attractive, fast and expensive, the Polestar Engineered in some ways ticks those boxes. But the challenge is that, in staying true to its broader strategy, Volvo has only four cylinders and electric motors with which to make headlines at a time when, really, you still need six in this class and the less mass the better.

Consequently, it has turned to weapons-grade chassis extras to justify the price, improving ultimate performance and pace but narrowing the car's bandwidth in everyday driving. This Polestar Engineered V60 moves supremely well at a canter, majoring on traction and with gilded body control, and there's now a good level of precision in the steering and response in the throttle, but it feels as though the suspension is in part ameliorating the weight of the battery and overall it's simply not exciting enough compared with rivals. It's also too stiff too much of the time for UK roads. 

Call me a luddite, but I can't help feel that these Öhlins dampers, fitted to the non-hybrid T5 V60, would have resulted in a similarly imperfect but even more effective, attainable car, and perhaps one more special.

Volvo V60 T8 Twin Engine Polestar Engineered specification

Where Northampton Price £57,205 On sale Now Engine 4 cyls, 1969cc, turbocharged, supercharged, petrol, plus electric motor Power 314bhp at 6000rpm (petrol), 86bhp (electric), 405bhp (combined) Torque 317lb ft at 4500rpm (petrol) Gearbox 8-spd automatic Kerb weight 2079kg Top speed 155mph 0-62mph 4.6sec Fuel economy 113-166mpg (WLTP) CO2 48g/km Rivals Audi RS4, Mercedes-AMG C63 Estate