V8-powered Volvo S60 racer debuts in Sydney
Australia’s famed V8 Supercars racing series is set to welcome the participation of Volvo to its ranks this year joining Ford, Holden, Mercedes-Benz, and Nissan.
Designed according to the series’ most recent ‘Car of the Future’ regulations introduced in 2013, Volvo Polestar Racing S60 V8 Supercar is powered by a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 producing an estimated 650hp sent astern by a rear-mounted 6-speed sequential transaxle.
The vehicle will make its competitive debut at the season’s first race to be held in Adelaide at the end of this month, but ahead of the season’s test day tomorrow at Sydney Motorsport Park, Australians were given a first look of the car as it was driven across the Sydney Harbour Bridge under police escort.
The S60’s participation in the V8 Supercars series marks a return of Volvo into the Australian motorsports scene, an association which dates back to the 1960s. Some of Australia’s greatest motorsports names have been associated with the brand during the time, and notable victories include the 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship with Robbie Francevic’s Volvo 240T and 1998 Bathurst 1000 with Jim Richards and Rickard Rydell in a Volvo S40.
For you technical buffs, specifications of the S60 V8 are listed below:
Engine: Modified Volvo B8444S, 4,989cc, 60-degree all-aluminium V8, DOHC, naturally aspirated
Bore x Stroke: 95.5 x 87.1
Compression Ratio: 10:1
Power: 650bhp (estimated)
Max revs: 7,500rpm
Air/Fuel Intake: 8x throttle bodies, E85 fuel, port fuel injection, one injector per cylinder.
Transmission: Control Albins ST6 6 speed sequential Transaxle with integrated spool differential
Front suspension: Double wishbone suspension, adjustable damper and cockpit adjustable front anti-roll bar
Rear suspension: Control independent rear suspension, adjustable damper; cockpit adjustable anti-roll bar AP Racing 6 piston caliper, 395mm ventilated discs
Brakes: AP Racing 4 piston caliper, 355mm ventilated discs
Wheels: Control Rimstock 18” x 11” forged aluminium
Tyres: Dunlop control tyre
Weight: 1,410kg (includes driver)
Top speed: 298+ km/h
0-100 km/h: 3.2 seconds
Steering: Custom rack and pinion power assisted steering
Shocks: Öhlins TTX Dampers
Electronics: MoTec ECU and Data Logging System
KON
Pictures: Official Volvo release.
See also:
– Volvo S60 T4 – 1.6 Turbo variant tested
– Volvo S60 T5 – Breakaway from Tradition
