World-renowned Swedish carmaker Volvo was established almost a century ago in 1924 by Assar Gabrielsson and Gustav Larssonin a Stockholm restaurant named Sturehof. Its name is a Latin word for “I roll” and the company started rolling mass production of 10,000 vehicles in May 1932.
In 1941, Volvo sold its 50,000th vehicle which was a truck. In 1970, it reached 2 million sales. It pioneered the two-point seat belts, airbags, other safety innovations and its Volvo V40 is regarded by EuroNCAP as the safest car ever produced.
5. 2013 S60 T6 R-Design
The 2013 S60 T6 R-Design was designed for car enthusiasts who love to go on the track once in a while. To provide the thrill that most petrol heads are looking for, the 2013 S60 T6 R-Design is fitted with a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine. The six-cylinder engine has the capability of producing 325 horsepower.
While the engine is turbocharged, it is smooth and sweet sounding. It generates an uninterrupted rush of power that allows the car to sprint from 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds. To ensure that you are able to achieve such a high speed, the 2013 S60 T6 R-Design is fitted with a 6-speed automatic transmission. During the many test drives that the car has undergone, it has been found that the automatic transmission does not respond as quickly as one might hope especially for a turbocharged sports sedan.
In addition, the sports sedan lacks paddle shifters and full manual control. While it does not have the same feel as a BMW 3 series from the same year (2013), it still has the ability to excite you. The sports sedan can seat five people comfortably. It comes with a 4C dynamic chassis system that combines comfort and performance.
For safety, the 2013 S60 T6 R-Design is fitted with front, side and side curtain airbags. It also has anti-lock brakes, stability, and traction control. As a result, it was recognized as one of the safest cars in 2013. Thanks to its Corner Traction Control which directs torque all around the car, it helps to enhance the tires grip on the road which is great for car owners who love to engage in aggressive maneuvers.
It also has a radar-based Pedestrian Detection system with Full Auto Brake that helps to identify the presence of pedestrians and other road users’ early thus preventing accidents by breaking the car. Don’t forget the 2013 Road Sign Information System.
Its aggressive styling has enabled the sports sedan to deliver on performance as promised by the manufacturer. The interior is so 2013. You have the 7-inch display and an array of buttons just below it. These buttons control different components in your car, for instance, your radio, navigation, media, rearview camera and AC among others.
As an all wheel drive vehicle, it is able to handle twisting roads and bends brilliantly. In addition, it features torque vectoring, the technology that helps to distribute power in the sports sedan to counter understeer.
4. 2017 Volvo XC90 T8
As a 7 seater plug-in hybrid SUV, the 2017 Volvo XC90 T8 is a great vehicle for car owners looking for a machine that can run on both all-electric mode and hybrid mode as well. Just a year old at the time of compiling this listicle of the Fastest Volvo (Top 5), the SUV has an all-electric range of 17 miles and an MPG for hybrid mode – 54 highway/53 cities.
The 2017 Volvo XC90 T8 is fitted with an electric motor that drives the rear wheels. It has a system output of 400 hp and 472 pounds of torque. When fully charged, the electric motor can propel the 2017 Volvo XC90 T8 for 25 miles under a driver electric vehicle mode.
The SUV is fitted with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission with no manual control. As an all-wheel drive SUV, the 2017 Volvo XC90T8 is capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds.
The SUV works with the J1771 charging port which allows car owners to charge the 9.2 kWh battery at a maximum rate of 3.3 kW for 4 hours. As a 2017 SUV, the car is fitted with the latest car technology. It comes with a touch multimedia system that allows you to enjoy your favorite playlist and satellite radio as you drive this magnificent SUV.
It has Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity which allows you to connect your iPhone and enjoy your favorite playlists. For safety, it has front and side airbags designed to protect the occupants in case of collusion. If you had chosen the Excellence model (four-seaters), you would have enjoyed heated, ventilated and massaging seats. The car is fitted with Nappa leather upholstery and also comes with a beverage cooler at the back for you to enjoy your favorite beverage as you relax at the campsite or picnic area.
The SUV features a HUD display designed to project key details on the 2017 Volvo XC90 T8 windshield and complements the built-in gauge cluster display. As you already know, HUDs are extremely valuable and they help to display vital details for the driver. This enables the drivers to keep their eyes on the road when driving.
The HUD system is a car safety feature just like the seat belts, brakes, ABS and airbags among others. Newer HUD systems are designed to work with infrared cameras. As a result, they are able to detect where the lines on the road are. This is beneficial to the driver as it prevents one from deviating without warning.
Today, the 2017 Volvo XC90 T8 is the most powerful production car from Volvo and it’s true from the many tests carried out. As earlier said, the car can travel from 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds, a feat achieved by very few fully loaded SUVs.
3. 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar
The 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar was once hailed as Sweden’s answer for high-performance cars. Before then, German brands – BMW, Mercedes, and Audi were renowned for manufacturing sports sedans and SUVs with high performance.
What makes the 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar a high-performance car? It is fitted with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine capable of generating 350 hp and 369 torque. This is complemented by a six-speed automatic transmission and a Haldex all-wheel-drive system.
As a result, the 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar is able to sprint from 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds. With a top speed of 155 MPH, the car can sprint from 0 to 200 in 17.7 seconds. When the car was made available in the market, the speed was electronically limited for safety purposes.
The above feat was achieved a year after Volvo had acquired Polestar, a tuning firm. After the acquisition, Volvo went ahead to hire a new team to work on the 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar and the result was a car able to sprint from 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds.
The good news is that the drivetrain remained unaltered. Capable of carrying 5 to 6 adults comfortably, the chassis was modified in order to add rigidity. Stiffer springs were incorporated together with high-performance shock absorbers. Riding on 20-inch Polestar wheels, the 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar is fitted with Brembo brake calipers and ventilated discs for improved stopping power.
As a performance oriented wagon, you would expect the interior to match with its speed but nope. It has a subdued interior which is similar to the standard model. There are a few differences. For starters, the 2016 Volvo V60 Polestar comes with a sportier steering wheel. The vehicle is also fitted with sporty pedals; Polestar branded items, bespoke floor mats and revised seats among others.
It comes with a similar dashboard to the 2013 S60 T6 R-Design which features a 7-inch display with a group of buttons and dials. The car is lined with soft materials that match those commonly found in premium German vehicles.
Other changes that were made in the 2013 S60 T6 R-Design include a revised front bumper which now features a race-inspired splitter. It also has a rear bumper with a redesigned diffuser and spoiler fitted on top of the tailgate
2. 2017 Volvo V60 Polestar
The 2017 V60 Polestar is another high performing station wagon from Volvo. Fitted with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter l4 engine, it has an output of 362 hp and 347 torque. To complement the supercharged engine, Volvo has fitted the vehicle with an 8-speed automatic transmission. As a result, the vehicle is able to sprint from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds.
As an all wheel drive vehicle, the station wagon has received more upgrades, for instance, adjustable Ohlins shock absorbers, Polestar 20 inch wheels, unique body kit and giant Brembo brakes for the ultimate stopping power.
The 2017 V60 Polestar has also received the Borg-Warner all-wheel-drive system which helps the high-performance station wagon to handle the extra power. At the rear of the station wagon, the car is fitted with a sports-tuned free flow exhaust system. It has two selectable loudness levels which complement the high-performance engine.
Although the 2017 Volvo V60 Polestar is a station wagon, the car is designed beautifully to handle the hefty power output. Problem is the steering is a little thick and heavy. This means you need to put in a bit of muscle especially when turning corners.
The good news is that you can accelerate hard and also brake hard thanks to the Brembo brakes even from high speeds. You can forget about any understeer or oversteer. The vehicle will move in any direction you direct it. On highways, the 2017 V60 Polestar assumes a sporty character while off-road or on rougher roads, it assumes the character of a high-performance vehicle.
When it comes to exclusive features, the 2017 V60 Polestar has automatic lights, auto climate control, heated front and rear seats. It also has a heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon stereo, sunroof and a navigation system that will surely help you find your way.
1. 2017 Volvo S60 Polestar
Unlike the 2016 version which received a few upgrades from the new team at Volvo-Polestar, the 2017 Volvo S60 Polestar did not. In fact, the engine was downgraded but still remained a high-performance vehicle.
Instead of the earlier 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, the 2017 Volvo S60 Polestar was fitted with a 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbocharged and a supercharged engine capable of generating 362 hp up from the previous 350 hp.
Unlike the previous version, the 2017 version has less torque – 347 from 369. The good news is that the reduction is quite negligible and its weight has also gone down by 24 kg, especially on the front axle. A new gearbox was added which the team at Volvo has said it shifts the center of gravity to the back of the car. This has resulted in a well-balanced car.
Thanks to the package above, the 2017 Volvo S60 Polestar can sprint from 0 to 60 in 4.3 seconds down from 5.0 seconds in the previous version. In addition, the vehicle can attain a top speed of 155 MPH which is electronically limited.
The car is fitted with the active Fertitta exhaust system which is not similar to the previous version but still performs highly. You might want to know that the same car – 2017 Volvo S60 Polestar – was able to attain a championship lead and a double victory at the Nurburgring.
The interior of the car is similar to the previous version. You have the digital dash, the touchscreen display and the array of buttons that allow the driver to control the AC, radio, navigation, and camera. The seats have been decked with lovely materials and they are comfortable. Problem is the 2017 Volvo S60 Polestar has a heavy steering which means you will have to put in a bit of muscle especially when it comes to corners.
The good news is you don’t have to worry about any understeer or oversteer. Brakes are designed to stop the car even at a high speed. As such, the driver and passengers are assured of safety. As a fast sedan, it is the perfect road car that will enable you to cruise on the freeway to and from work.
What you ought to know is that Volvo-Polestar built 1,500 of the 2017 Volvo S60 Polestar which was sold in 47 countries around the world.
There you have it, the top 10 fastest Volvos in the world. If you are curious like me, you may be wondering, what’s next for Volvo-Polestar?