Volvo announced a new range-topping version of its upcoming S60. Preview images show that it uses high-performance Polestar parts and gets a boost in its electrified powertrain.

Dubbed the 'S60 T8 Twin Engine Polestar Engineered', the car will sit above the regular T8 Twin Engine variant of the new S60 due for a reveal next week, albeit leaked online, last month. Volvo has confirmed that the top S60 model will use a reworked version of the T8 Twin Engine’s hybrid powertain, which comprises a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor.

The engine produces a peak of 415hp and 670Nm of torque, up from 400hp and 640Nm of torque in the regular T8 model. The Swedish automaker has said that the software upgrades used to achieve this also unlock greater fuel economy and improved pure-electric performance, while smoothing out the eight-speed gearbox’s operation through a more effective torque-fill.

The car's Polestar-engineered parts include monoblock Brembo brake callipers painted in gold, slotted brake discs and Öhlins shock-absorbers for the multi-link front and rear suspension. The shocks are borrowed from the Polestar 1 hybrid performance car, implying that they are adjustable. The strut-brace that supports them to enhance front-end handling is also taken from the Polestar 1. Additionally, new lightweight wheels reduce un-sprung mass, while chrome exhaust tailpipes and gold-coloured seatbelts emphasise the car’s link to Polestar.

Henrik Green, senior vice-president of research and development at Volvo, said that the parts have been “fine-tuned to work together, delivering a responsive and exciting driver’s car”.

The Polestar Engineered sedan is the first of three confirmed models engineered by the carmaker's performance hybrid and EV brand, Polestar. The other two will join the V60 and XC60 ranges in 2019, simultaneously kick-starting Volvo’s shift towards electrification. Volvo has plans to see 25 percent of its line-up using electrified power by 2025.

“Electric cars are our future,” said Håkan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo. “Today starts a new era of Volvo electrified models enhanced by Polestar’s performance engineering prowess. This strategy is firmly grounded in our shared belief in an electric future for the car industry.”

Volvo will reveal the new S60 T8 next week at its first US manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina. The facility will handle production for all S60s as the first Volvo model to be made in the US.