Latest News & Press Releases

The European styled but Japanese engineered Peugeot 4008 marks the start of a new attack by the French manufacturer as it seeks to expand its marketshare in Australia.

From the outside it’s unfathomable to think the Peugeot 4008 has anything to do with its relatively over-styled brother, the Mitsubishi ASX, but underneath the pretty French styling remains a Japanese heart and soul. In fact, 4008s are built in Mitsubishi’s Okazaki factory, which also builds the ASX.

Unlike the Peugeot 4007, which was a far more obvious clone of the Mitsubishi Outlander, Peugeot designers went the extra mile to ensure the 4008 is uniquely French. For a starting price of $28,990 for the base model manual, it’s fair to say the 4008 is the best looking small SUV for the money. Perhaps only eclipsed by the slightly larger and significantly more expensive Range Rover Evoque.

The Pegueot 4008 is available as a front-wheel drive or 4WD with both configurations powered by the one engine choice: the same 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine from the ASX. That’s 110kW of power and 197Nm of torque coupled to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Given the 1375kg weight (up to 1470kg for the 4WD auto), it’s a lot of weight to pull for less than 200Nm.

On the road the 4008 doesn’t actually feel slow and, not surprisingly (given the weight difference), the fastest model is actually the cheapest model, the Active manual 2WD. That can go from 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds, a good 1.6 seconds faster than the range-topping 4WD auto (Allure). That poses a slight problem for the 4008 range because the CVT transmission fails to make much of an impact low down in the rev range as it always seems to be asking for more torque, very similar to the ASX. Given that 80 percent of buyers are likely to go for the CVT, it further compounds the issue

We began our test drive by leaving the Stamford hotel and heading towards Sydney’s outskirts to test the 4008 on numerous dirt and country roads. Coupled to Mitsubishi’s CVT system the 4008 felt more than good enough for everyday city and suburban driving. You would find it a challenge to realise there was anything unusual about the automatic as it masks its CVT DNA well. Until it comes to merging on to a highway. If you ever completely floor the accelerator, the engine sits on a preset RPM and makes a great deal of noise to get up to speed. This is not uncommon for Mitsubishi CVTs (and has been our biggest criticism for both the ASX and Lancer, which use the same system) but by industry standards, it’s a lot of noise for not much oomph. It’s a shame a traditional six-speed automatic couldn’t be used instead

The manual (4WD tested) drives like an entirely different car. Despite only having five gears, acceleration feel and overall pulling power is hugely improved (comparing 4WD manual to 4WD CVT). It also makes a lot less noise in the process. Around the twisty stuff the 4008 is generally well balanced and corners with relative ease.

In 2WD mode there is hints of torquesteer coming out of corners but leave it in 4WD and the problem will quickly dissipate. It’s similar in feel to the Volkswagen Tiguan in how it grips but the ride can be a tad harsher if you frequent B-grade roads. Peugeot engineers widened the ASX’s front and rear tracks by 10 mm and recalibrated the suspension and steering to give the 4008 a more European feel, so it’s noticeably superior in this regard to its Japanese twin.

There’s no doubt the 4008 is a good-looking car on the outside, but what of the inside? Although photos would suggest it’s very similar-looking to the ASX, the actual touch and feel is noticeably different. Soft touch plastics and black decoration of the centre console (piano black in Allure) add a better cabin ambience. As does the steering wheel, which is the easiest way to tell you’re not in a Mitsubishi (although the indicator is on the right side, which is very un-European). There is ample head and legroom in the front and rear seats, so you can fit four large adults with ease and a fifth if need be. Overall, the interior is by no means as good as a 508 or even a 3008, but it’s too bad either.

Standard across the 4008 range is Bluetooth telephone connectivity and audio streaming, reversing camera (built into the mirror), rear parking-sensors and privacy glass. 16-inch alloy wheels ($1000 option for 18s), six speaker audio system, steering wheel audio controls, USB connectivity, front fog lights, LED daytime-running lights, automatic headlights and wipers, automatic air conditioning, cruise control and seven airbags are also all thrown in for no extra charge.

The French are putting this car up against the Volkswagen Tiguan, Mazda CX-5, Subaru XV and even the Nissan Dualis. In reality it sits somewhere between the Tiguan and the XV, in that it offers reasonable 4WD capability and European status (even if it’s Japanese engineered and made). The real question is, how does it stack up against its only European rival?

The Volkswagen small SUV has four different engine configurations, but if you compare the two base models, the front-wheel 4008 ($28,990) and Tiguan ($28,490) start within $500 of each other. The Tiguan has the upper hand with a six-speed manual coupled to a 1.4-liter turbo. The engine size may seem incomprehensible given the size of the thing but the Germans are the masters of downsizing with turbocharging technology. So much so that the little 1.4-litre turbo puts out 8kW and 43Nm more power and torque than the 2.0-litre Mitsubishi sourced engine. That means the torque that the 4008 lacks low in the rev range is a non-issue in the Tiguan. From here on though, it gets a little confusing as Tiguan’s prices start to get rather expensive (in comparison) with more powerful petrol and diesel engines. In fact, the cheapest automatic Tiguan is a good $4,500 more than a 4008 CVT.

So not only does the Peugeot 4008 have the upper hand in terms of price, but also in styling, equipment level and servicing costs. This is important because research shows that buyers of small SUVs are 40 percent more likely to pick a car simply based on how it looks. As for servicing, Peugeot guarantees that you will pay no more than $330 a year (20,000km) whilst the car is under warranty (3 years). There is a 10,000km health check and the servicing schedules are every 20,000km (as oppose to 15,000 for ASX). Another win for Peugeot in the Franco-German Wars.

In summary, the Peugeot 4008 is easily in contention for being the most stylish and well-equipped European SUV for the asking price. An ideal suburban SUV that marries French styling with Japanese reliability and engineering. It lacks a bit of torque when coupled to a CVT and it may not be as technically advanced as the Volkswagen Tiguan, but the high levels of standard equipment and lower servicing costs will almost guarantee that Peugeot will sell its 900 units for the remainder of 2012.

Peugeot 4008 Pricing:

• 2.0 Active 2WD manual: $28,990
• 2.0 Active 2WD CVT: $31,490
• 2.0 Active AWD manual: $30,990
• 2.0 Active AWD CVT: $33,490
• 2.0 Allure AWD CVT: $38,490

Peugeot 4008 Options:

• Metallic paint is $800 or $1300 for premium paint.
• 18-inch alloys wheels and side chrome door sills for $1000 (Active only)
• Above plus a full leather interior for $3000 (Active only).
• Satellite navigation with a full screen colour rear camera and DVD player for $1495 (both models).

The ŠKODA Fabia S2000 continues the high performance tradition of the ŠKODA brand, dominating the Intercontinental Rally Challenge over the last two years. The Fabia RS now brings this rally-proven technology and performance to Australia. Joining the Octavia RS, the Fabia RS is sure to excite those looking for adrenalin-charged driving pleasure with compact, sporty style.

Feel the power of 132kW generated by a twin charged dual fuel injection 132TSI engine taking you from 0 – 100km/h in 7.3 seconds. At the same time, enjoy the fingertip precision of paddle shift controlled 7-speed automatic dual-clutch DSG gearbox. Employing Volkswagen Group technology, paddles situated behind the multi-function leather steering allow you to shift gears without taking your hands from the wheel, providing a safer, more efficient and responsive driving experience.

The Fabia RS proudly wears its high-performance heritage on its sleeve. The high-line instrument panel, sports seats and attractive Tempo interior are complemented by the distinctive RS badge which is displayed across both the interior and exterior of the vehicle including the dynamic and aggressive front grille.

17" Gigaro alloy wheels, developed exclusively for the ŠKODA RS, are available in silver, anthracite, black and white. Chrome dual exhaust, LED daytime running lights, rear spoiler and a wide range of choices for body paint and alternative roof colours on the hatchback ensure the Fabia RS has the looks to match its winning performance.

Available in both hatchback and wagon, the Fabia RS brings the same level of sporty performance ŠKODA is known for to roads across Australia.

The #97 V8-powered racer finished third in the fiercely competitive GTE Pro category having covered 332 laps – almost 3000 miles – of the celebrated 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe without any technical problems.

David Richards, Chairman of Aston Martin, commented: “Le Mans is always one of the most special events of the year and probably the world’s greatest motor race. To come here with a new GTE car and finish on the podium is a great accolade not just for the team, but also for the Aston Martin product and everybody that has supported us.

“Two of our drivers, Stefan Mücke and Adrian Fernandez, had never before competed in a GTE car here, although Darren Turner’s a Le Mans stalwart and has been with us since the beginning of the Aston Martin Racing programme. The team worked brilliantly together to help get Stefan and Adrian onto the pace. Adrian, in particular, acquitted himself very well given that this is his first season in a production-based racing car, so it was fitting that he should have the honour of driving the Vantage GTE over the finishing line.

“We only had one car competing in GTE Pro this weekend and that’s always an unnerving feeling because we know how easily the slightest mistake can trip you up – that makes for a very long 24-hour race! The Aston Martin Vantage GTE set the fastest GTE lap of the race and didn’t have any technical issues at all. We didn’t have quite the fuel economy of the winning car, but we know what we have to do to correct that for next year. Everyone in the team should be very proud of themselves.”

The Gulf-liveried Vantage GTE started the 24-hour race from second on the GTE Pro grid after a competitive showing throughout the three qualifying sessions held earlier in the week. Although rain had fallen persistently right up until the afternoon of the rolling start, the track itself was dry come 1500hrs on Saturday, 16 June. Factory driver Mücke (D) was able to pass the pole sitting GTE Pro car on the very first lap to give the Vantage GTE the class lead of endurance racing’s crowning event on just its fifth competitive outing.

When fellow factory driver Turner (GB) took control of the Vantage GTE after the 25th lap, the Briton – who had already won back-to-back Le Mans titles with Aston Martin Racing in 2007 and 2008 – found himself embroiled in a most enthralling duel for the GTE Pro class lead with the #74 Corvette. What ensued over the following stint was a remarkable display of wheel-to-wheel racing, more reminiscent of a sprint race than a 24-hour marathon. Turner and his adversary had staged what will certainly be remembered as a highlight of the 80th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The breath-taking scrap harked back to the Aston Martin-Versus-Corvette battles of 2007 and 2008 that are now the stuff of Le Mans folklore. Turner called off the fight on lap 64 as he handed over the Vantage GTE to works driver Fernandez (MX), who continued in third position.

When a GTE Am class car collided with an LMP1 racer on lap 73, the safety car was deployed as barriers were repaired. The field circulated around the track for an hour and ten minutes behind the safety car, so Aston Martin Racing used the opportunity to execute a scheduled brake change without losing too much ground to its rivals. Nonetheless, when the #97 Vantage GTE rejoined the action after the technicians had swiftly carried out their work, it had slipped to sixth in the GTE Pro class.

As the sun set over Le Mans, Turner and Mücke took turns aboard the Vantage GTE with each digging deep to summon up every ounce of performance from both themselves and the car. With ambitions of getting back in contention for the class victory, the pair each lit up the timing screens, proving the Vantage GTE’s class-leading pace potential.

The night brought with it new challenges, for the cooler air altered the track conditions considerably and necessitated the use of softer compound tyres. As Turner and Mücke set the class pace, the #97 Vantage GTE clambered its way back up the leaderboard to hold fourth position at the mid-way point of the race. The car continued to perform as reliably as its drivers, so that come the early morning it held second position in GTE Pro with the class leader within sight.

Soon before the 16th hour, however, Mücke lost control of the Vantage GTE at Indianapolis corner, pitching him into the gravel trap and towards a safety barrier. The German driver was able to keep the car running and soon had it back at Aston Martin Racing’s pit box. Despite the high-speed nature of the incident, the damage sustained was cosmetic – a testament to the inherent strength of the Vantage platform. The team rapidly replaced a door and the bonnet before sending Fernandez back out within ten minutes of the original impact, still in third position in class.

Determined not to give up, Mücke set about chasing down the second-placed GTE Pro car upon his return to the driver’s seat for a final stint. At the 20-hour mark, Mücke set the fastest GTE time of the entire race, stopping the clock at 3m 54.928s to further prove the Vantage GTE’s class-leading speed. Unfortunately, the gap couldn’t be closed with pace alone, and the team focused on maintaining the podium position. Mücke made way for Fernandez on lap 306, who crossed the line at 1500hrs to the delight of the entire Aston Martin Racing team, scoring 30 points for the FIA World Endurance Championship – for which the 24 Hours of Le Mans served as the third round – in the process.

Fresh from the podium celebrations, Turner said: “I’m really proud of the whole team. To get a new car to the end of a 24-hour race is a big achievement, but to get it on the podium is fantastic. Hopefully we can build on this and come back next year and show how strong the car is.

“There are many similarities between this new programme and the DBR9 GT1 programme [which netted back-to-back Le Mans wins in 2007 and 2008]. That programme was all about the competition with one manufacturer, but the Vantage GTE programme is about competition with many manufacturers. To have Aston Martin right up there straight away is really encouraging.

“We had a small brake issue early on, but apart from that there were no problems with the Vantage GTE at all and it has proven to be on the pace of the fastest GTE cars, which bodes very well for the future.”

Team-mate Mücke added: “This is the first time I’ve been on the podium at Le Mans and it feels amazing. It’s also the first time I’ve competed here in a GTE car, so I’m very proud to have finished where we did. I must thank the team for repairing the car so quickly after my mistake early in the morning – to fix it within ten minutes was really impressive. I was able to set the fastest GTE lap time which shows that everything is going in the right direction with the car.”

Fernandez concluded: “Finishing a 24-hour race is never easy so to come third with a new car is quite remarkable. The pace of the Vantage GTE was always strong and we fought hard for the whole race. I’m very pleased with my pace in the car; all of my experience is in single-seaters and prototypes, so to be able to perform as well as I did without making any mistakes was, for me, very special.”

Aston Martin Racing’s second entry – run in partnership with Young Driver AMR in the GTE Am category – showed similar signs of class-leading pace throughout the week. It qualified in third position and fought its way into the class lead in the early phase of the race in the hands of all-Danish driver line-up Allan Simonsen, Kristian Poulsen and Christoffer Nygaard. Accident damage sustained after the three-hour mark would eventually herald its retirement, however.

Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez congratulated the team on its strong result: “I’m delighted that the team has shown the speed and reliability of the Vantage GTE on its first outing at Le Mans. I would like to extend my congratulations to the team for its encouraging performance and I’m sure we will see the new competition car challenging for race wins soon.”

As well as the 24-hour race itself, Aston Martin also hosted an exclusive single marque support race in the hours leading up to the main event. The Aston Martin Festival of Le Mans witnessed 31 Aston Martin-built racing cars competing in a 45-minute race on the Circuit de la Sarthe; the Vantage GT2 of Villois Racing triumphed in the unique event.

A highlight of the Festival was the return of the legendary 1959 Le Mans-winning DBR1 to the scene of its greatest victory. The DBR1 participated in the pre-race parade lap, with Dr Bez at the wheel, in a moving tribute to the men who drove it to victory – Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori – and its designer Ted Cutting, all of whom passed away in recent weeks.

Aston Martin Racing competed in the GTE category at Le Mans in line with its return to production-based motorsport for the 2012 season. The marque is competing in the inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship and achieved a strong third-placed finish at the opening round of the series, the 12 Hours of Sebring, Florida. The V8-powered Vantage GTE is based upon Aston Martin’s sportiest road-going model, the Vantage coupé. It shares that car’s bonded aluminium structure and fundamental engine and suspension designs, emphasising the base car’s inherent sporting nature.

Aston Martin Racing will next be in competitive action at Silverstone, Great Britain, for the fourth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship on Sunday, 26 August.

The design, technology and capability of Land Rover’s current model range has been reflected in the brand's emphatic success in the 2012 Diesel Car Awards.

The Range Rover Evoque added the magazine’s ‘Best Crossover’ and overall ‘Car of the Year’ titles to its exceptional tally of 112 worldwide honours. The judges acclaimed Evoque as “stunning to look at and stunning to drive…a car that is instantly a classic”.

Ian Robertson, Diesel Car editor, said: “Already an icon, the Evoque combines stunning design and brilliant engineering to great effect.”

While Evoque claimed the ultimate prize, the Land Rover Discovery 4 demonstrated the diverse capability of Land Rover design and engineering by taking the ‘Best 4x4 Award’ for the third successive year. No challenger has yet to do better than the Land Rover, which has occupied the top spot ever since it was launched, and is described by the magazine as “everything you could possibly want in a car”.

With a nod to the recently completed 'Journey of Discovery' in which the 1,000,000th Discovery was driven over 10,000 miles in 50 days, Robertson added: “Land Rover’s continent crosser reigns supreme as the world’s most completely clever 4x4.”

Consolidating Land Rover’s achievements, the Range Rover took the runners-up position behind Discovery 4 in the ‘Best 4x4’ category.

Land Rover UK Marketing Director, Laura Schwab said: “We are delighted that the Range Rover Evoque continues to set standards for design, engineering and performance right around the world.

“With the lowest CO2 figure of any Land Rover of 129g/km, from the efficient 2.2 eD4 diesel engine, this latest award from Diesel Car Magazine is a further demonstration of Land Rover’s continuous focus on technology and customer requirements.

“Moreover, the continuing success of Discovery 4 in these awards and the high praise for Range Rover represent a valuable, independent judgement on Land Rover’s across-the-board approach to delivering the highest standards throughout its model range.”

The brand-new Volvo XC40 compact crossover has been spotted during a photo shoot in Norway ahead of its anticipated debut at the 2012 Paris motor show in September.

Although Volvo is yet to officially confirm the existence of the V40-based SUV, these spy images, captured by a reader of Norwegian website DN.no, confirm the XC40 is almost ready to hit international showrooms.

The XC40 will give Volvo a direct competitor to the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 in the increasingly popular premium compact SUV market, and should arrive in Australia sometime in 2013.

Rather than being a completely new vehicle, the XC40 is essentially a higher-riding version of the Swedish brand’s new five-door V40 hatchback, which is due in local showrooms in the first quarter of next year.

Volvo’s decision to make the two cars so similar will no doubt have reduced development time and costs dramatically and should streamline the production process, ensuring the XC40 can hit showrooms sooner and potentially for a lower price.

Grey plastic cladding around the XC40’s lower edges gives the new crossover a rough-and-ready appearance, while the addition of an all-wheel-drive system – likely to be available on high-grade models – should give it basic off-road capabilities.

The Volvo XC40 will almost certainly share the V40’s powertrains. Internationally, the V40 will be available with two tunes of a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine – 110kW/240Nm and 132kW/240Nm – and three diesels: an 84kW/270Nm 1.6-litre, and a 2.0-litre with 110kW/350Nm or 130kW/400Nm.

The Volvo XC40 will expand the Swedish brand’s SUV line-up, which currently comprises the mid-sized XC60, the large XC70 wagon and the full-size XC90.

Honda’s fun and fuel efficient hybrid hatch, the Insight, has received upgrades to its styling and features and is even more fuel efficient than before. 

The first hybrid ever launched in Australia, the Honda Insight is now more refined and available for the Manufacturer’s List Price of $29,990 for the VTi and $33,490 for the VTi-L (CVT with flat paint only).

Honda Australia Director and General Manager Sales and Marketing, Mr. Stephen Collins said; “The Insight is Honda’s fun-to-drive hybrid hatch; practical in its packaging and very fuel efficient.

“Sharper styling, enhanced driving dynamics and better fuel economy make the Insight excellent value for money,” Mr. Collins said.  

The Insight is available in two variants; VTi and VTi-L. Achieving a five-star ANCAP safety rating, it remains one of the best value hybrids on the market.

For the exterior, there is a new front grille and bumper design that also includes the garnish on the indicator lamps. At the rear, visibility has been improved with a thinner tailgate spoiler, enlarged roof lining, an improved shape for the wiper motor and a longer wiper blade. The rear combination lamp has also been redesigned for a more sophisticated appearance. Low-rolling resistance tyres have been fitted to redesigned alloy wheels in both variants to improve fuel economy.

The VTi receives LED daytime running lights, integrated Bluetooth with steering-wheel mounted controls and new door mirrors with side turn indicators. The VTi-L receives the same LED daytime running lights and a leather gear shift knob.

Inside, the Insight receives a front console box and armrest, refined gauges and meter panel as well as redesigned front headrests and seat material throughout. Headroom in the back seats has also been increased by 20mm by redesigning the hatch lining and seat design.

Fuel efficiency for the Insight has been improved by 6.5 percent. It now sips just 4.3 l/100km (combined urban/extra urban), resulting in a 5.5 percent reduction in CO2 emissions (now 103 grams per kilometer). Improvements to the engine and transmission, greater aerodynamics, a power-saving electric fuel pump and the low-rolling resistance tyres all contribute to Insight’s improved fuel consumption and lower carbon dioxide emissions. 

Two fashionable new colours – Carnelian Red and Premium White – have been added to the Insight’s colour palette, joining Alabaster Silver, Crystal Black and Milano Red.

Honda is the world’s biggest engine manufacturer, a leader in automotive research and development and consistently rated a top performer in customer satisfaction. There are more than 400,000 Hondas on the road in Australia and millions of happy customers worldwide

Headlining the changes is a 25PS (25hp) power increase.  It takes the maximum output of the mid mounted, twin turbocharged V8 engine to 625PS (616hp) to give yet more vivid acceleration at track speeds with no loss in efficiency.  Modifications have been made by McLaren’s engineers to the 12C’s engine and SSG transmission increasing responsiveness.  Ease of use, a phrase not often associated with cars of this type, is further improved through a host of detail changes while a wider variety of paint, leather and wheel options give customers yet more scope for personalisation.  The 12C’s unique Intake Sound Generator (ISG) system, which controls the amount of engine intake sound heard in the cabin, is now programmable across three levels in all three Powertrain modes allowing the driver to select the amount of aural drama he or she wants to enjoy, whatever the road.  But one aspect that hasn’t changed is the 12C’s purposeful styling … apart from a subtle revision to the McLaren Speed Marque badge, that is.

This latest iteration of the 12C, which at launch set a new benchmark among its competitors for power, efficiency and pioneering technology, is available to order now. Customers who have already taken delivery of a 12C are not being neglected, though.  Every 12C owner is being offered a package of upgrades, including the extra 25PS (25hp), at no cost, underlining McLaren’s commitment to its customers ensuring they enjoy owning their 12C as much as they do driving it.

Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director said: “Given our racing heritage, it is in our nature to continuously seek out improvements. The team at McLaren Automotive recognizes that our existing and future customers deserve the very best product and service we can offer, and the launch of the enhanced 12C reaffirms its position as the most powerful luxury sports car among its competitor set.

“We designed and engineered the 12C from a clean sheet of paper, and I am delighted with the innovative technology package created for our first sports car. Our customers love driving a car with technologies and systems that have proved successful in Formula 1 and which create an incredible driving experience in a unique new high performance sports car. New and existing customers will now enjoy an even better experience thanks to the upgrades.”

Its answer is to take the most dynamically capable model in its current line-up, the S60 mid-sized sedan, and tweak performance under the branding of the Swedish car maker’s official racing partner, Polestar.

The S60 Polestar is a Volvo Cars Australia initiative only at the moment, however. It’s more a toe-in-the-water exercise for now, with 50 examples initially available for buyers who want to mix Scandinavian design with extra performance.

More Polestar-badged Volvos, with the C30 hatch an obvious potential candidate, could be in line if this first project is successful. (Polestar has already developed and built a Volvo C30 Polestar Concept vehicle with 302kW of power and a whopping 502Nm of torque. Top speed for this hooligan C30, is 278km/h, while 0-100km/h is dispatched in a blistering 4.5 seconds.

The S60 Polestar isn’t as quick but with a 5.8sec 0-100km/h claim, but it’s the first series production model Volvo to dip below the six-second mark.

The S60 Polestar starts life as an S60 T6 R-Design and adds an engine tune from Polestar for the turbocharged six-cylinder, along with alloy wheels and a quad exhaust system from German tuner Heico Sportiv. The sum total of the package produces an additional 18kW and 40Nm for a maximum output of 242kW and 480Nm.

Reliable sources tell us that the car will actually produce more than 500Nm – unofficially, of course.

The Polestar commands a $10,000 premium over the ‘regular’ S60 R-Design, making it a model that is likely to appeal only to those who are serious about performance.

Unlike many aftermarket-tuning upgrades that can end up a financial nightmare if problems arise, however, the S60 Polestar is effectively a factory-tuned vehicle and as such is covered by Volvo’s three-year unlimited kilometre factory warranty. That also incudes any Polestar software updates that would be installed whenever the car is in for its scheduled service.

The S60 T6 R-Design is already a well styled machine, but the addition of the quad exhaust pipes, diffuser-style rear bumper and 19-inch black alloys shod with sticky Pirelli P-Zero tyres gives the Polestar a suitably more aggressive look.

With the S60 Polestar, Volvo Car Australia has built upon the improved dynamic credentials achieved by the S60 while retaining the S60’s benchmark safety systems and distinctive Scandinavian design.

We can safely say Volvos are becoming more interesting to drive again.

Volvo S60 Polestar: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine 242kW & 480Nm, six-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. $82,990 (Manufacturer’s List Price).