If you want a super-fast wagon, you naturally think of the German automakers. And it looks like the Audi S4's place is not about to be taken over by the Volvo V60 Polestar.
From just about every perspective, this is an unfair comparison, starting with the fact that the V60 is ancient and ending with the Polestar now using a 2.0-liter engine. However, it costs exactly the same as the new S4 Avant and the wagon version of the Mercedes-AMG C43 with 4Matic: 70,000 freaking euros.
Polestar became the official Volvo in-house tuning division in 2015 and started work with the V60 wagon and S60 sedan. However, both cars lost their 6-cylinder turbo engines this year and gained the twin-charged system used by the XC90 T6. It might be great for blending efficiency and power, but not in a performance car.
The Germans at Auto Bild are being meticulous with this test, comparing them for lap times, cargo space and interior quality. And in all areas, the V60 is found lacking. For example, the trunk space is about the same as in a Honda Civic, while the C43 and S4 both boast 490 liters.
The Mercedes model is more extroverted, being fitted with carbon fiber dashboard trim, big wheels and plenty of metallic trim. The S4 is more discreet, although its features are still superior to those found in the Volvo.
Regarding power, the supercharged and turbocharged V60 makes the same 367 PS as the twin-turbo V6 in the Mercedes. Meanwhile, the S4 Avant produces only 354 PS from its single-turbo V6. Care to guess which one wins the track test? Nope, it's the Audi, thanks to its quattro GmbH rear differential, which also makes it more fun to drive.
Being two seconds faster and packing a lot more modern equipment for the same money as the V60, the S4 Avant is still king of the segment. However, the C43 still has the badge, the design and all that carbon. With the way things are going, the Polestar project might be stillborn.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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