Keep Scandinavian Cool Behind The Wheel

There are many driving offences that can lead to fines, such as speeding or illegal parking.

But would you believe that not turning on the air conditioning (AC) in the car while you’re driving could cost you up to £5,000?

I know, it’s crazy, but it’s true. You see, the Highway Code says you must keep your vehicle well-ventilated to avoid drowsiness. And driving in the sweltering temperatures this week will make it a lot harder to maintain a correct state of mind while behind the wheel.

To be fair, there was no danger of me getting this kind of fine in the Volvo V60 I’m currently driving. Thanks to this Scandinavian estate car’s awesome AC, I was kept cool on a recent 200-mile return trip. Indeed, during the journey, I was so relaxed I was beginning to wonder what all the weather drama on the news was about.

Sure enough, after stepping out of the V60, the heat hit my like a train. It just goes to show what a great job Volvo does when it comes to looking after people.

Of course, the Volvo V60 does more than keep you fresh on a hot summer’s day. The estate car is luxurious and sporty all at the same time.

The specific model I have on test is the V60 T8 AWD Polestar Engineered. It’s a mouthful. But stay with me. You see, the car is a plug-in hybrid wearing the Polestar name.

Hang on, though; you may not know what Polestar is. It’s basically a Swedish motorsport company from the 90s that Volvo bought out a few years back.

But Polestar Engineered is not a sub-marque anymore; it’s a brand in its own right – and it’s going down the all-electric route. Scratching your head? Well, don’t – Volvo just added this athletic label to some of its models as well.

There’s only a solitary powertrain in this Polestar Engineered edition of the V60: the T8 twin-engine hybrid. And it’s Volvo’s most dynamic unit, with an amalgamated 405PS. The internal combustion unit produces 318PS and the electric motor pushes out 87PS.

That’s enough wallop to pull this brawny-looking estate car to 62mph in just 4.6 seconds – and up to the car’s maximum top end of 112mph before you know it.

What’s more, the V60 T8 AWD Polestar Engineered is fitted with an all-wheel-drive system. In addition, you can select various drive settings, from the aptly named ‘Pure’ (electric only) to ‘Hybrid’ and full-fat ‘Polestar Engineered’.

Anyway, back to the hot weather. Just remember to ensure your AC is on at a comfortable level to avoid becoming drowsy behind the wheel. Or, if, unlike the Volvo, you don’t have AC or climate control in your vehicle, keep a window down to make sure you stay cool!

Fast Facts – Volvo V60 T8 AWD Polestar Engineered

• Max speed: 112 mph
• 0-62 mph: 4.6 secs
• Combined mpg: 113.0 – 134.4 mpg combined, WLTP
• Engine: 1,969cc, four-cylinder turbocharged & supercharged petrol + 65kW electric motor
• Max. power (PS): 405
• CO2: 48 – 56 g/km
• Price from: £53,300