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Picking up the V60 T8 Polestar that I ordered way back in January (thanks COVID). With any luck it will be sitting on my driveway in a few hours. Wagon Wednesday indeed.
Looking forward to your impressions. This one interests me as well, from an efficiency point of view, but the hand-off between electric and gas and the transmission that gets a lot of attention in reviews is making me hesitant.
Looking forward to your impressions. This one interests me as well, from an efficiency point of view, but the hand-off between electric and gas and the transmission that gets a lot of attention in reviews is making me hesitant.
I haven't had a chance to try out the Polestar version of the T8, but I imagine it should be very similar to the regular T8. I did get a chance to test drive an XC60 T8 before I put down my deposit, and I didn't notice any weird behavior between the ICE and electric motor. I would say I have relatively discriminating tastes when it comes to cars and how they drive, so I have no idea what some of the reviewers are complaining about. Maybe I just haven't had enough time to come across the situation where the handoff isn't particularly smooth.
Initial impression:
Holy shit this thing hauls ass. It may actually pull harder in 2nd gear than my E85 tuned STI that put down 434 lb-ft of torque at the wheels.
When driving normally, the handoff between the ICE and electric motor is quite smooth. Volvo did a great job making this thing comfortable and livable. The transmission, while kind of "soft" (it'll never be confused for a ZF8), is very very smooth. I wouldn't expect anything less from an Aisin 8-speed that is also used by Lexus.
All that said, at WOT the power delivery is quite non-linear. Starting from a dead stop, the car actually takes off with bit of oomph thanks to the electric motor, and when the ICE kicks in there's a small surge of power, and then when the turbos spool up and the supercharger clutches out there's another wave of power. Then, when it goes into second gear, it pulls even harder (methinks these speeds is where the electric motor is actually making the most torque). In second I can absolutely believe the almost 500 ft-lb of torque that's advertised...in first it feels more like 400 if even that. In third the torque tapers off some more (again, I think because the electric motor is starting to make less power at those speeds), though it still pulls well.
It's definitely an interesting feeling. It's not a bad feeling, but I can see how some people might be thrown off or annoyed by it if they're expecting a more linear power delivery. Seeing as how my last "fast" car was the epitome of non-linear power delivery, maybe I'm just more used to it.
Forgot to mention. I also picked up a 10yr/100k mile extended warranty for $3K. No way in hell I would own something so complex and over-engineered like this out of warranty. I fully expect to get my money's worth before all is said and done. The front struts themselves cost $1600 a piece, and I don't even want to imagine how much it would cost to replace the electric drive on this thing should it go bad.
Good color choice. I love it. Glad to hear you like it thus far. Do you have a thread for it yet?
PS - I searched the country for a V60 T8 and I'm only seeing 6. The closest I could find is in NJ. A local Volvo dealer has an XC60 T8 that I may test just to see if I like the powertrain. They also have a Polestar tuned V90 that I may take a look at, since the lease deals on the V90 are (surprisingly) better than the V60 - around $640/mo for 36 months, 12k miles a year and $0 down (V90) vs $710 for the V60.
Last edited by civicdrivr; Jul 16, 2020 at 08:45 AM.
Good color choice. I love it. Glad to hear you like it thus far. Do you have a thread for it yet?
PS - I searched the country for a V60 T8 and I'm only seeing 6. The closest I could find is in NJ. A local Volvo dealer has an XC60 T8 that I may test just to see if I like the powertrain. They also have a Polestar tuned V90 that I may take a look at, since the lease deals on the V90 are (surprisingly) better than the V60 - around $640/mo for 36 months, 12k miles a year and $0 down (V90) vs $710 for the V60.
Yep these cars have to be special ordered. Any of the ones you see on dealer lots were ordered by another customer who then backed out.
I’m not sure what the lease deals look like, but I bought mine in cash and ended up qualifying for every single incentive possible, which came out to over $12k under sticker (and that’s before the $5419 federal tax credit and $1000 rebate from my local utility company). OTD price including those credits was something like $53.5K. On a car that stickers at over $69K.
Not bad! Purchase incentives on the V90 in my area drop the $71k MSRP to $57k. Lease incentives are something like $7k off MSRP. Crazy how much the discount them.
I'd be looking at a lease because 1) long term twin charged Volvo ownership scares the hell out of me and 2) I get bored quickly.
Not bad! Purchase incentives on the V90 in my area drop the $71k MSRP to $57k. Lease incentives are something like $7k off MSRP. Crazy how much the discount them.
I'd be looking at a lease because 1) long term twin charged Volvo ownership scares the hell out of me and 2) I get bored quickly.
Correction, I was confusing the XC60 T8 with the V90 T6 pricing:
That's not too bad.
The highest T5 V60 at the closest dealer to me is stickered for about $50k
Yeah that’s how I justified this. Compared to a V60 T5 FWD R-Design with the max incentives and equipped with the same options (the Polestar Engineered is essentially a fully loaded R-Design), it was only $6k more thanks to the tax credit. Thanks gubment!
Since this is a discussion thread, I'll guess I'll discuss stuff. This weekend I went to Volvo to test drive the V90 T6 R Design and the XC60 T8. We drove the V90 first. I was seriously underwhelmed. It was good for what it was, but it did not feel like a $65k car. Aside from the seats, which were amazing, the interior felt no different then a $30k Accord or Golf. The T6 was acceptable, but it's not winning any races. The transmission felt antiquated. And for some reason the ride felt worse than my lowered Golf, which already annoys me over rough roads. I was seriously disappointed by it, so much so that I didn't even want to drive the xc60.
After that disappointment, we took a ride to Audi, where I test drove this:
It was an Allroad Prestige. It stickers for $5k more than the Volvo but felt like it was $35k more. The interior was beautiful. Everything felt high quality, the ride was butter, the 3.0T felt powerful (but laggy down low) and the transmission was very smooth. I know I've given the dual screen setup shit in the past, but there's tactile feedback, like you're pressing buttons. You still have to take your eyes off the road if you're pressing individual buttons, but if you want to change the temp, you can just swipe up or down on the left or right side of the screen. The only negative for me is that this car is definitely not sporty. The air ride makes the car kind of wallowy over road undulations, and the steering is lazy, even in dynamic mode. But holy hell was it smooth. I floored it on the highway and hit 100 (kph, obviously). Casey remarked that it was very smooth, and I said "yeah, that was 100". She didn't believe me, she thought it was maybe 80. She wouldn't admit it, as she wants my next car to be my decision, but of the three cars I test drove over the last week, this one was Casey's favorite.
However, this was the third, and it was my favorite
Last edited by civicdrivr; Jul 20, 2020 at 06:52 AM.
Very nice Polestar pickup. The gold calipers are a nice accent with the grey. My old Subaru was what they called DGM (Diamond Grey Metallic). Very nice color.
Since this is a discussion thread, I'll guess I'll discuss stuff. This weekend I went to Volvo to test drive the V90 T6 R Design and the XC60 T8. We drove the V90 first. I was seriously underwhelmed. It was good for what it was, but it did not feel like a $65k car. Aside from the seats, which were amazing, the interior felt no different then a $30k Accord or Golf. The T6 was acceptable, but it's not winning any races. The transmission felt antiquated. And for some reason the ride felt worse than my lowered Golf, which already annoys me over rough roads. I was seriously disappointed by it, so much so that I didn't even want to drive the xc60.
After that disappointment, we took a ride to Audi, where I test drove this:
It was an Allroad Prestige. It stickers for $5k more than the Volvo but felt like it was $35k more. The interior was beautiful. Everything felt high quality, the ride was butter, the 3.0T felt powerful (but laggy down low) and the transmission was very smooth. I know I've given the dual screen setup shit in the past, but there's tactile feedback, like you're pressing buttons. You still have to take your eyes off the road if you're pressing individual buttons, but if you want to change the temp, you can just swipe up or down on the left or right side of the screen. The only negative for me is that this car is definitely not sporty. The air ride makes the car kind of wallowy over road undulations, and the steering is lazy, even in dynamic mode. But holy hell was it smooth. I floored it on the highway and hit 100 (kph, obviously). Casey remarked that it was very smooth, and I said "yeah, that was 100". She didn't believe me, she thought it was maybe 80. She wouldn't admit it, as she wants my next car to be my decision, but of the three cars I test drove over the last week, this one was Casey's favorite.
However, this was the third, and it was my favorite
The Volvos are supremely gorgeous. Everyone I talk to that works on cars though said their beauty is also matched with their problems...and the reliability reports (i.e. J.D. Power) proves it. So, in some ways, I'm happy you have at least tried it and are ruling it out.
The allroad is impressive technically and I wonder if you got the sports suspension and differential would help some of the complaints on the sportiness? If you are going allroad, did you consider the S7...? Just a thought -- not really a wagon though.
As for the X3, you probably can't go wrong with that given how it's been a happy purchase for a few members on AZ already. Just remember to take notes from @ttribe on how to park and be a Bimmer owner.
The Volvos are supremely gorgeous. Everyone I talk to that works on cars though said their beauty is also matched with their problems...and the reliability reports (i.e. J.D. Power) proves it. So, in some ways, I'm happy you have at least tried it and are ruling it out.
All true. I was very, very sad that I didn't like the Volvo. Between the fact that it's gorgeous, a proper wagon, and has great lease deals - I was ready to go with one. But yeah... it's not the way the cookie crumbled.
Originally Posted by Yumcha
The allroad is impressive technically and I wonder if you got the sports suspension and differential would help some of the complaints on the sportiness? If you are going allroad, did you consider the S7...? Just a thought -- not really a wagon though.
Unfortunately the Allroad isn't available with a sport suspension or differential options in the states. They gave us very little in the way of options Apparently the full paint finish option isn't like the A4 Allroad either - the plastics have a slight metallic gloss to them but the plastic texture is still there. The car I posted above has the full paint finish, but it still looks like plastic depending on the light
Also, I don't think the A/S/RS7 is a very attractive car. Plus, I need a tall cargo area for the dog.
Full disclosure - within two miles of driving the X3M, I stopped using the turn signals Is it just a state of mind or does BMW pump an anti-signal gas into the passenger compartment?
Audi certainly didn't have the same effect on me since I didn't curb any of the wheels
Full disclosure - within two miles of driving the X3M, I stopped using the turn signals Is it just a state of mind or does BMW pump an anti-signal gas into the passenger compartment?
Audi certainly didn't have the same effect on me since I didn't curb any of the wheels
They must have optioned the X3MC with functioning turn signals; the base model doesn't have such unnecessary items.
Aren't sportbacks coupey sedans? This is a straight up hatchback.
Also, guessing not for the US market?
I tend to think of the A3 hatch as closer to a wagon than, lets say, the Golf or a Focus. Because it is more square in profile. I guess like a mini wagon (not to be confused with the Mini).
Full disclosure - within two miles of driving the X3M, I stopped using the turn signals Is it just a state of mind or does BMW pump an anti-signal gas into the passenger compartment?
Audi certainly didn't have the same effect on me since I didn't curb any of the wheels
The car is too fast and the steering is too responsive that it changes lanes faster than your brain could say "use the turn signal"
Hawt
