Photo: Volvo
It's been 20 years since Volvo made an impact in the highly-specialized segment of performance estates. The Volvo 855 T5-R is the bruiser that started it and there's much to like about the old timer. But the 20-candle cake couldn't be enjoyed by the T5-R alone.
That's why Volvo decided to celebrate its first dedicated performance estate by bringing its modern equivalent – the V60 Polestar, for a heartwarming family reunion. What do these two have in common besides the capability to fold the rear seats into the floor to fit a sofa? Serious turbo performance, that is.
Grandpa Volvo 855 T5-R was introduced in 1994 and although it looks like it belongs in the scrapyard, the boxy body hides a potent five-cylinder turbocharged engine. Keep it mind it was the early '90s, yet here we have a practical car that also happens to boast with 240 HP and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft), as well as a sporty-oriented chassis setup. Engineers even fitted it with a Torsen limited-slip diff for extra handling prowess.
In standard tune, the Polestar skunkworks division hiked the 3-liter engine's output to a hefty 350 ponies and 500 Nm (368 lb-ft). It may weigh a lot, but the extra grunt equals a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) run of 4.9 seconds. Oh, and don't forget that there are Ohlins shocks and a carbon fiber stabilizer bar keeping things in check on the handling front. The V60 Polestar isn't that bad a way to get to your local IKEA, isn't it?
Grandpa Volvo 855 T5-R was introduced in 1994 and although it looks like it belongs in the scrapyard, the boxy body hides a potent five-cylinder turbocharged engine. Keep it mind it was the early '90s, yet here we have a practical car that also happens to boast with 240 HP and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft), as well as a sporty-oriented chassis setup. Engineers even fitted it with a Torsen limited-slip diff for extra handling prowess.
The 855 T5-R was a ballistic wagon. It even had a go at the 1994 British Touring Car Championship
Driven by Tim Harvey and Rickard Rydell, the motorsport-ready 850 Racing was good enough for third place in the Manufacturers' Championship and third and fifth, respectively for the drivers. Which is a bit of a shame why its spiritual successor – the Volvo V60 Polestar, isn't on the grid of the grueling BTCC.In standard tune, the Polestar skunkworks division hiked the 3-liter engine's output to a hefty 350 ponies and 500 Nm (368 lb-ft). It may weigh a lot, but the extra grunt equals a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) run of 4.9 seconds. Oh, and don't forget that there are Ohlins shocks and a carbon fiber stabilizer bar keeping things in check on the handling front. The V60 Polestar isn't that bad a way to get to your local IKEA, isn't it?
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