Volvo reveal the new S60 Polestar that will race in this year’s V8 Supercars championship

VIDEO: VOLVO’s V8 challenger has arrived, the new S60 Polestar racer revealed in the shadows of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

A very scenic location for the V8 Volvo’s big ...

VOLVO’s V8 Supercars challenger has arrived, the new S60 Polestar racecar revealed in the shadows of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Swedish manufacturer will become the fifth manufacturer on the V8 Supercars grid at the Clipsal 500 this year, joining Nissan, Mercedes and traditional rivals Ford and Holden.

● DAHLGREN REVEALED AS VOLVO’S NEW V8 RACER
● PREMAT RETURNS TO GRM FOR ENDURO CUP
● FREE ADMISSION TO V8 TEST DAY ON SATURDAY

Volvo arrives in the sport partnering with V8 mainstays Garry Rogers Motorsport, who also see long-time backers Valvoline return to the role of the team’s primary sponsor.

Drivers Scott McLaughlin and Sweden’s Robert Dahlgren showed off the new machine, finished in Volvo and their performance car arm Polestar’s brilliant blue with flashes of black.

The cars will make their public on-track debut at the sydney.com V8 Test Day at Sydney Motorsport Park this Saturday, where attendace is free to the public.

Scott McLaughlin told SPEED he can’t wait to show the public how the new car looks and sounds in action.

The cars will make their public on-track debut at the sydney.com V8 Test Day at Sydney Motorsport Park this Saturday, where attendace is free to the public.

Like Nissan and Mercedes, Volvo have elected to develop a double-overhead cam V8 engine, although at 60° it has a much narrower v-angle compared to its rivals.

“This is a race car like no other,” V8 rookie Dahlgren said.

“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.”

Both cars are headed for the official Test Day at Sydney Motorport Park.

“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,” team boss Garry Rogers said.

Front of the Volvo S60 Polestar.

“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.”

A very scenic location for the V8 Volvo’s big debut.

“This is an historic day in the history of Volvo Car Australia,” Matt Braid, Volvo Car Australia managing director, said.

“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.”

The racecar next to its road-going cousin.

It’s not the manufacturer’s first foray into Australian motorsport. Their turbocharged Volvo 240T won the 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship with New Zealander Robbie Francevic, while Jim Richards and Rickard Rydell won the 1998 AMP Bathurst 1000 aboard a Supertouring-spec Volvo S40.

Rear shot of the Volvo S60 Polestar.

VOLVO S60 V8 SUPERCAR TECH INFO
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

Volvo unveiled their V8 race engine at the 2013 Sydney 500.

ENGINE TECH INFO
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

Volvo chose a very Australian location for the reveal.