Volvo has unveiled the engine that will power its two Volvo Polestar Racing S60s in the 2014 V8 Supercars Championship.

Volvo Car Australia Managing Director Matt Braid lifted the covers on the race engine, with Volvo Car Group Motorsport Technical Director Martin Persson and Commercial Director Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin in attendance.

“As the first luxury car manufacturer to field a factory team in the V8 Supercar Championship, we’re delighted to share this milestone moment with you and reveal our race engine for the 2014 V8 Supercar season,” said Managing Director of Volvo Cars Australia Matt Braid.

“The race team at Polestar have worked hand-in-hand with the engineering team at Volvo Cars to design, build and develop a race engine in Gothenburg, New Zealand, to compete in Australia’s premier motor racing category.”

The global resources of the Volvo Car Group and Polestar, Volvo’s performance and motorsport partner since 1996, are being fully utilised to facilitate the development of the Volvo Polestar Racing V8 Supercars in readiness for the 2014 season.

The Volvo B8444S 4.4-litre production V8 has been modified and built specifically for racing in the V8 Supercar Championship by Polestar – supported by the same people in Volvo Car Group who are behind the innovative four-cylinder Drive-E road car engines, which debut in Australia next year.

Thanks to its compact size and narrow 60 degree vee configuration, the B8444S is a truly unique engine on today’s racing grid. With this in mind, motorsport fans can expect to instantly recognise the Volvo Polestar Racing S60s in 2014 thanks to the engine’s distinctive soundtrack.

Managing Director of Polestar Christian Dahl said of the race engine: “We have completed a number of high-rev simulations and long-distance runs and we’re very happy with the figures and outcomes we’ve achieved. The next step is to fit the engine to the race car and continue the pre-season development timetable.”

Development of the race engine began back in May 2013. The first block was completed in late October and had its first run on the dyno in mid-November.

“So far, everything is absolutely on track with the race engine,” said Volvo Car Group Motorsport Technical Director Martin Persson.

“On paper, this race engine and the new Drive-E engines are quite different. But from an engineering perspective it is a very similar process, and that is to push your imagination and creativity to the limit within a specific set of targets.

“For instance, whether you are aiming for leading efficiency or the most powerful race engine ever to be heard in the Australian V8 Supercars Championship, you will strive to reduce weight, friction, heat and to maximise power.”

Further information about Volvo Polestar Racing will be released in due course.

Technical information