The long-simmering flirtation between Volvo and its racing and tuning partner Polestar has finally been consummated with a production model, albeit not the one most fans were expecting (see here).
What Volvo and Polestar came up with is a limited-production version of the C30 compact hatchback of which only 250 examples will be made exclusively for the U.S. market.
It will go on sale this November priced at $32,445, which includes an $895 destination charge, or $3,700 more than the 225hp C30 T5 R-Design upon which it is based.
What Polestar brings to the C30 is a rather limited set of performance and styling upgrades beginning with the 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder that receives a reprogrammed ECU that lifts output by 23 horsepower and 37 lb.-ft. of torque to 250 hp and 273 lb.-ft. respectively.
The Swedish automaker says that the power boost does not affect fuel consumption with fuel economy estimates being identical to the standard C30 T5 R-Design at 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the six-speed manual gearbox model and 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway with the optional five-speed Geartronic automatic.
All 2013 C30 Polestar Limited Edition models are finished in a new Rebel Blue hue and have a special interior numbered plate.
Other exterior highlights include the new 17-inch ‘Styx’ alloy wheels in a matte black finish and Polestar badges on the rear and sides of the vehicle.
Inside, the sport hatch is dressed in leather seating surfaces in a choice of ‘Off-Black’ or two-tone ‘Off-Black and Calcite’.
The standard equipment is the same as the Premier Plus trim level of the C30 T5 R-Design and includes glass sunroof, power driver’s seat with memory, LED daytime running lights, Keyless Drive and active dual Xenon headlights.
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