You might be scratching your head a bit regarding the 2015 Volvo S60 Polestar's modest increase in power over the T6 R-Design, a model that asks for a hefty $10,000 less at buying time. Although it's somewhat of a cliché to say so, focusing exclusively on the Polestar's dyno numbers misses the total-system improvement that has been made by the Performance team to the S60 sedan. Sure, 20 horsepower might not seem like much, but when your foot is to the floor they are summoned like a pack of wild arctic wolves rushing across the frozen tundra to nip at the heels of the unlucky driver ahead of you on the highway access ramp.

Not only does the six-cylinder turbo mill express a brutal willingness to surge off of the line, but its forward-focused mission is aided and abetted by an all-wheel drive system that is capable of sending 100 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels in order to preserve pleasing driving dynamics while cornering. Then there's the car's exhaust note - best experienced with the six-speed automatic transmission set to sport mode - which roars from the S60 Polestar's twin tailpipes with a savage authority that alludes to the engine's motorsports roots.

Although Polestar Performance has a strong history building exceptionally competent touring cars for a variety of series, you probably wouldn't want to take the Volvo S60 Polestar to the race track. It would definitely hold its own - after all, those Brembo six-pots are overkill for the street, and the ability to (get under the car on a lift with a wrench and) make 10 different adjustments to its Ohlin-sourced shock absorbers does hint at a level of customization that most time trial fiends would appreciate. Unfortunately, the S60 Polestar is somewhat hamstrung by its transmission, which is respectably comfortable when left in Drive but unpredictably erratic when cruising around in Sport mode. Paddle shifters are provided, of course, and they do offer good, if not lightning-quick access to the next ratio while at speed, but I never found myself feeling the urge to chuck the Polestar around in a fit of red mist.

Rather, I was much more impressed by the car's demeanor on the street, and in particular, its BMW-slaying acceleration. Access the car's launch control feature by sidestepping the brake pedal and holding engine revs up for five seconds or less, and you'll be rewarded with a surge to 60-mph that takes a mere 4.7 seconds. Even if you ignore launch control, as I did 90 percent of the time, the S60 Polestar still feels ultra-rapid off of the line. Although it might lack the explosiveness of BMW's 425 horsepower M3, especially above 65-mph, in day-to-day driving (and when facing slippery winter conditions, as I did during my time with the car), it feels very much its equal.