Volvo S60 Polestar prototype tracked against BMW M3 and Audi RS4 Avant

The Swedish version of Auto Motor und Sport went to the track with one hometown favorite and two over-the-sea gorillas: a Volvo S60 Polestar prototype, BMW M3 and Audi RS4 Avant. The Volvo puts out 508 horsepower from its inline six-cylinder to the ground through a Haldex all-wheel drive system, the BMW M3 grunts out 414 hp to the rear wheels from a 4.4-liter V8 and the RS4 has a 4.2-liter V8 putting down 414 horses via Quattro AWD. The performance numbers to make this even more clear: 0-60 in the RS4 takes 4.7 seconds, in the M3 4.6 seconds, and in the S60 Polestar, just 3.9 seconds.

The mag calls the S60 Polestar "a hard slap in the face to the Germans," but through the kerbs is where the test of man and metal is made. No regular journo affair, Auto Motor und Sport got this year's Swedish Touring Car Championship winner to drive all three on a hot lap at the Gothenburg City Arena circuit to keep things fair (well, relatively anyway – the pro shoe drives a Volvo). Timing duties were handled by a guy with an iPhone, so final stats are approximate. And it's important to note that if/when the Volvo reaches production, it will likely have a price tag that dwarfs those of its German rivals – reports suggest it could cost upwards of $155,000.

No matter, it's thoroughly fun getting there, and you'll find the action, the winner and awesome exhaust notes in the subtitled video below.

From AutoBlog.Com
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/29/volvo-s60-polestar-prototype-tracked-against-bmw-m3-and-audi-rs4/