Volvo S60 V8 Supercar Makes its Debut

Volvo Polestar Racing has unveiled its Volvo S60 race car that will debut in the 2014 V8 Supercars Championship by driving it across the world’s most famous ‘coat-hanger’ – the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

After months of speculation, the distinctive Valvoline-liveried Volvo S60 V8 Supercar made its way across the Bridge and into Sydney’s CBD to an official presentation overlooking the Sydney Opera House.

Joining team naming rights partner Valvoline on the Volvo S60 are Volvo Car Financial Services, Volvo Trucks, Cummins, Hexis, Freem, Browne & Co and Clingtape.

Volvo Car Australia Managing Director Matt Braid was joined by drivers Scott McLaughlin and Robert Dahlgren, team principal Garry Rogers and Polestar owner Christian Dahl to present the race car to the media.

“This is an historic day in the history of Volvo Car Australia,” Braid said.

“As the first luxury car manufacturer to enter V8 Supercars with a factory team, we’re delighted to reveal our Volvo S60 race car to meet the challenge of the world’s toughest touring car series and strengthen the presence of the S60 model line – and Volvo brand – here in Australia.”

Utilising the resources of Volvo, Polestar and GRM, the Volvo Polestar Racing S60 V8 Supercar has been designed and built to V8 Supercars’ New Generation regulations. These regulations include 18-inch wheels, transaxle gearbox and independent rear suspension.

“This is a significant day,” Dahl said.

“Polestar has been Volvo Car Group’s global performance and motorsport partner since 1996, and has campaigned Volvos in the World Touring Car Championship, the European Touring Car Championship and, currently, the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship. To that end, we’re looking forward to the challenge of the V8 Supercar Championship.”

Volvo Car Australia has a rich heritage of motorsport in Australia, dating back to the 1960s, and posting some notable milestones, including winning the 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship with Robbie Francevic in a Volvo 240T.

Last year marked the 15th anniversary of Volvo winning Australia’s most famous race, the Bathurst 1000 in 1998 with Jim Richards and Rickard Rydell in a Volvo S40. 

Indeed, some of Australia’s greatest names in motorsport have tasted success with Volvo including John Bowe and Peter Brock.

Garry Rogers commented:

“For all the GRM staff it is incredibly satisfying to see the next step of all the hard work and energy they have put into designing and building the Volvo S60 V8 Supercar over the last 12 months.

“During this process, this same group of workers were also responsible for the preparation and running of our 2013 V8 Supercar Championship cars, so it makes me extremely proud to be surrounded by such a never-say-die group. We cannot wait to get on with the racing.”

With the first race at the Clipsal 500 fast approaching at the end of February, testing of the Valvoline Volvo S60 continues apace, with the sydney.com V8 Supercars Test Day commencing on Saturday at Sydney Motorsport Park. The day is free for fans to attend. 

Volvo S60 V8 Supercar technical information 

Engine technical information