Have you ever bought a model of a car you once owned and absolutely loved? While my latest acquisition is not the same spec or model year, it is the closest thing I could find to my first car – the second-generation Volvo S60. The model, however, isn’t just any S60. It wears the “Polestar” badge, something I had long hoped to see made in 1:18 scale. The timing couldn’t have been any better, as it arrived just in time for Christmas!

POLESTAR: A BRIEF HISTORY

Polestar’s journey began in 1996 with the founding of Flash Engineering. Using Volvos as the base for their race cars, they competed in the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC), securing STCC titles in 1996 and 1997 and amassing over 100 race wins between 1996 and 2005.

They were later acquired and rebranded as Polestar Racing in 2005. Eventually, the brand evolved from an independent touring car race team to a notable contributor to Volvo’s performance heritage, through the development of tuning packages for regular Volvo models.

In the 2010s, the brand partnered with Volvo to create a thoroughly engineered, track-tuned version of the S60 sedan called the S60 Polestar. 

THE RECIPE

The key ingredients that transformed the S60 into the S60 Polestar included a new turbo and intercooler, a chassis significantly stiffer than that of the standard car, a recalibrated ESP system, and a range of cosmetic upgrades, to name a few. The early models featured a 3.0-litre straight-six, while the later versions came with a 2.0-litre twin-charged engine that produced slightly more power.

The idea was to offer an experience similar to that of an AMG or M-badged car. While the S60 Polestar might not have been a true rival to the M3 or C63 of its time, it felt tremendously bespoke and had plenty of character. With only 750 units of each version produced worldwide, there are quite a few rare cars too.

Polestar has since evolved into a separate brand focused on saving the planet with its range of electric cars. As a result, the Polestar Engineered S60 is the last of its kind for Volvo – a car destined to become an oddball classic.

A CLOSER LOOK

The model featured here comes from RadScale. If you’re scratching your head wondering who they are, I was too when I recently heard about them. The brand, formerly known as DNA, specializes in making sealed resin models.

Unlike past DNA models, this latest offering from RadScale comes in a clear acrylic display case with a black plastic base, textured to resemble carbon fibre. A nameplate is also affixed to the base, identifying the make, model, and production number.

There are three paint options available to choose from: Rebel Blue, Ice White, and Red. Production of each colour is limited to 200, 80 and 30 pieces, respectively. Since Rebel Blue is unique to Polestar – sort of like their signature colour –  that’s the one I picked.

Out of the box, the model feels fairly light in hand. The shouty blue colour immediately grabs attention — it is anything but subtle. The paint application is consistent throughout. The shutlines look good all around, however, some of the body lines are softened by the paint.

In the front, the headlights are very well-detailed. Considering the complexity of modern car headlights, the model does an exceptional job reproducing the Xenon HID assembly. 

The blacked-out grille is faithfully represented, with all the openings just like on the real car. Only the Volvo badge on the grille is photo-etched, while the small blue Polestar badge appears to be a decal. Considering how tiny it is, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it actually does say “Polestar” on it, although not very legible. I think that deserves an A+ for effort!

Continuing with the rest of the front end, the opening in the bumper below features a honeycomb pattern mesh, giving the model a premium feel. The fog lights on either side are adequately detailed. I particularly love that RadScale went the extra mile to include small details like the tow hook cap in the bumper, the radar sensor for the pedestrian detection/ auto braking system in the grille, and the cutouts for the camera sensors behind the rearview mirror. These little details go a long way to enhance the overall realism.

Viewing the model from the side, the large rims immediately catch your attention. They are well-executed and finished in silver, with details like the lug nuts and Polestar badges accurately represented. The metal brake discs behind the rims look realistic, as do the callipers adorned with the Polestar script. While the valve stems are present, their execution could be improved. The tyres are another area that could be improved— I would have liked to see branding and specifications on the sidewall. And since we’re on the topic of wheels, it’s worth noting that they roll, but do not steer.

The side mirrors and the trim around the windows are blacked out like on the real car. Although the door handles have been accurately replicated, the details lack definition due to the paint blurring them.

Given that the model is sealed, the fixed sunroof provides an additional view into the interior. Taking a closer look at the cabin evoked a sense of nostalgia, as it is very reminiscent of my old car. While the cabin is generally well-represented, there are a few letdowns.

The seats, highlighted by blue stitching and a combination of Alcantara and leather, are a distinctive element of the car — details not reflected in the model. 

On examining the interior more closely, I found the steering wheel to be somewhat crude. The carbon fibre texture on the floating centre console is accurately reproduced with a carbon decal, complete with buttons and dials printed on it. Though not immediately noticeable, the decal appeared to have a minor defect around the area where the vent is. The model features fabric seatbelts with photo-etched buckles. The floor however lacks flocking, something I would have expected at this price point. Perhaps RadScale felt they could get away with it because the model is sealed.

Moving to the rear of the car, RadScale has successfully captured all the details. 

The rear windshield features a defogger pattern that is neatly printed on the glass. The taillights have a reasonable amount of detail and are well-executed. The Volvo and S60 badges on the trunk are photo-etched, while the Polestar badge is a decal. Details such as the tow hook cap and parking sensors have been included in the bumper. Cosmetic upgrades such as the boot spoiler and diffuser are also well replicated. The chrome exhaust tips have a convincing finish and are hollowed out with enough depth to provide an authentic look. 

SCENIC’S VIEW

To conclude, the model is well-made overall, but not perfect. In addition to some details needing further refinement, the interior could have benefited from more textured materials and colour to better capture the essence of the actual car.

At approximately $300 CAD shipped, I wouldn’t say the price is reasonable. While opinions may differ, I’d prefer if the model were available without a case or offered with an option to choose one, so collectors could benefit from a lower price. 

All that aside, I’m pretty content with my purchase. It is a model I recommend and a unique subject matter that we will probably never see someone else make.