By Otsile Kadiege

Volvo Car South Africa revealed an extensively customised version of its popular XC60 plug-in hybrid at the 2022 Festival of Motoring, with The Beast 2.0 wowing attendees of the show at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit.

The Beast 2.0

 The Beast 2.0 is one-of-a-kind SUV based on the Volvo XC60 T8 R-Design AWD but featuring a multitude of carefully considered updates, from a daring cosmetic revamp to choice performance enhancements. In standard form, the plug-in hybrid T8 is already the most powerful XC60 ever, delivering total system outputs as high as 340 kW and 709 Nm. According to Volvo Car SA,  “The Beast 2.0” with the addition of the Polestar Engineered package displays even sharper reactions thanks to Polestar software which results in faster engine response, more rapid gear shifts and better control during cornering (thanks to the intelligent shift schedule), as well as improved balance in the corners and better traction at take-off courtesy of the bespoke AWD calibration.

Roaring plug-in hybrid

In addition to becoming the first XC60 T8 in the country to receive the Polestar Engineered engine calibration, the one-off XC60’s four-cylinder petrol engine breathes out through a sport exhaust system supplied by Volvo specialists Heico Sportiv. Fashioned from stainless steel, the system frees up yet more power and comes complete with active flap control. The Beast 2.0 thus features two distinct aural characters: a sporty growl from the petrol engine under aggressive throttle inputs and virtual silence when only the rear-mounted electric motor is running in Pure mode (offering up to a claimed 81 km of emission-free driving thanks to the 18.8 kWh triple-layer battery pack).

Yellow is the new red

Inside, the unique SUV gains special Polestar yellow seatbelts. The vehicle is fully specced, boasting items such as four-zone climate control, a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, a massage function up front, Volvo’s active chassis with air suspension and as many as four separate equipment packages (power seats, lighting, lounge and driver assist packs).