Polestar versus PHEV in 0-60mph acceleration test

Safety and economy doesn’t have to be boring as I discovered in a 0-60mph shoot-out between Volvo’s monster V60 Polestar and the ultra-green V60 PHEV plug-in hybrid.

Blasting along a timed track created in the Brands Hatch paddock, the hybrid was actually quicker away from the line! It’s electric and diesel motors combined throw out a whopping 487ft-lb of torque that even the roaring Polestar beside it could not pass up to the mid-point.

Only then did the 350 horsepower 3.0-litre turbo charged straight six take up the challenge to crack through the timing lights in just 4.8 seconds.

That said, the PHEV was just a second behind and, after the lunacy was over, was able to coast around on electric power, which Volvo claim can give it a fuel economy of up to 155mpg while emitting a tax busting 48g/km of C02.

Both are similarly priced around the £49k mark although the hybrid qualifies, for the moment, for the government’s £5k plug-in grant.

Naturally, the Polestar will always get the pure petrol head vote but Volvo’s hybrid makes a compelling case that you don’t have to use up the world’s petrol supplies to have a bit of fun away from the traffic lights!