Automotive

Volvo returns to WTCC with S60 Polestar TC1

Volvo returns to WTCC with S60 Polestar TC1
The S60 TC1 Polestar will lead Volvo's return to the WTCC
The S60 TC1 Polestar will lead Volvo's return to the WTCC
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The S60 TC1 is powered by a 1.6-liter, four cylinder Drive-E engine.
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The S60 TC1 is powered by a 1.6-liter, four cylinder Drive-E engine.
Weighing in at just 1,100 kg, the S60 has carbon fiber and steel body panels
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Weighing in at just 1,100 kg, the S60 has carbon fiber and steel body panels
Volvo's tuning arm, Polestar, has taken care of the care of the S60's tuning
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Volvo's tuning arm, Polestar, has taken care of the care of the S60's tuning
It might look similar to the S60 road car, but the Polestar is far more sinister
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It might look similar to the S60 road car, but the Polestar is far more sinister
MacPherson strut suspension works with Ohlins dampers
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MacPherson strut suspension works with Ohlins dampers
The S60's aero kit will be key to Volvo challenging the WTCC leaders this year
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The S60's aero kit will be key to Volvo challenging the WTCC leaders this year
Volvo claims the S60 TC1's engine is based purely on the road car
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Volvo claims the S60 TC1's engine is based purely on the road car
The package sits on 18-inch wheels
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The package sits on 18-inch wheels
The Polestar will first front up on the grid at Circuit Paul Ricard in France
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The Polestar will first front up on the grid at Circuit Paul Ricard in France
For a brand fixated on safety, Volvo knows how to make a mean looking racecar
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For a brand fixated on safety, Volvo knows how to make a mean looking racecar
The Swedish flag on the roof has also made it from Volvo's V8 Supercar onto its WTCC car
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The Swedish flag on the roof has also made it from Volvo's V8 Supercar onto its WTCC car
There's no question where the S60 TC1 comes from
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There's no question where the S60 TC1 comes from
That big wing makes the S60 look properly mean
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That big wing makes the S60 look properly mean
The S60 TC1 Polestar will lead Volvo's return to the WTCC
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The S60 TC1 Polestar will lead Volvo's return to the WTCC
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Volvo is gearing up for the start of the 2016 World Touring Car Championship with its new S60 Polestar TC1. Weighing in at just 1,100 kg (2,425 lb) and producing over 400 hp (298 kW) from its 1.6-liter Drive-E engine, the Polestar TC1 will form the base for Volvo's charge at claiming WTCC glory.

If the S60's engine sounds a little bit mundane, that's because it is based on the engine from a base, road-going Volvo. In the case of the Polestar TC1, that turbocharged 1.6-liter engine is pumping out 400 hp (298 kW), with the redline set at a lofty 8,500 rpm. All that grunt is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox.

The whole package sits on MacPherson struts front and rear, and as is the case with Polestar's road cars, the racing S60 is fitted with adjustable Öhlins dampers, which keep the 18-inch wheels in check during the rough and tumble around Europe and Asia's toughest circuits.

Weighing in at just 1,100 kg, the S60 has carbon fiber and steel body panels
Weighing in at just 1,100 kg, the S60 has carbon fiber and steel body panels

It might have an impressive history in Touring Car Racing, but Volvo is not setting its expectations too high ahead of the 2016 WTCC Season. According to Polestar's Head of Motorsport, Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, the team is focusing on reliability.

"Our purpose with this programme is to become World Champions," Schedvin said, "but this year is about following a specific plan to learn, with high discipline required from the drivers, engineers and the entire team in order for the competitiveness not to take over. "

Volvo has regularly competed in the British Touring Car Championship and Scandinavian Touring Car Championship, but has only competed in the WTCC once previously, in 2011, where it failed to place. It will be looking to improve when the WTCC kicks off at Circuit Paul Ricard on the 1st of April, before the series moves to Slovakia two weeks later.

Source: Volvo

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1 comment
1 comment
Michael Wilson
I had no idea the WTCC were down to 1.6l units. This is interesting