It seems that we’ve been talking about imported Japanese cars a lot of late - or certainly noticing them more. No longer is it just Imprezas and Evos being brought over because of their super-special status, offering British enthusiasts something worth having that we were never sold here. Now the import market is even dealing with… brown Volvo estates. But there are plenty of reasons for that. And certainly more to it than meets the eye.
Right-hand-drive is obviously the big draw of getting cars from Japan, alongside the generally better condition thanks to the absence of salt on their road network. We’re probably seeing more of them lately, furthermore, as used car values strengthen; the effort and expense of bringing a car over can be justified as it’s worth so much more than it used to be. Or it else it simply reflects how far demand now outstrips supply, with cars being sourced from the other side of the world.
Curious, interesting specs are another part of the appeal when it comes to getting a Japanese car. This Volvo V60 T6 is the perfect example, pairing what we think is Ember Black (which has a lovely brown fleck in the right light) with Amber leather redolent of the old S60 and V60 R. With comparatively small wheels as well. In a country like ours that typically specs so safely, this would never happen - especially on a top-of-the-range model - yet it looks absolutely brilliant. The V60 always was a smartly proportioned small estate, even suiting Polestar’s trademark Rebel Blue, but we’d argue it looks just as handsome here.
Gets better, too, as this V60 T6 has been treated to Polestar optimisation. This isn’t the full transformation, although it does mean an additional 25hp and 30lb ft for the turbo straight six, delivering 329hp and 354lb ft in total. Better to have than not, right? Even with an automatic gearbox, the upgrade should shoot the ’60 to 62mph in less than six seconds.
Perhaps a 3 Series Touring would be sharper to drive, but wouldn’t it be boring if we all coveted those? There’s so much going for the Volvo. The colour now looks especially brilliant thanks to a recent paint correction, there’s plenty of service history (even if it won’t make sense to most Brits) and the MOT has 11 months left on it. That the current owner is selling because they have too many cars and not enough space is usually a good sign, as is replacing small items like a temperamental boot handle - it suggests attention to detail, and that’s great. Plus, well, they’re the first UK owner of a brown 3.0-litre Volvo wagon; the courage is to be respected.
Bad bits? It’s in Glenrothes, nestled up in Scotland between Edinburgh and Dundee. Perfect if you’re up there; a fair old trek if not. And it’ll need plenty of fuel, with even the official average not hitting 30mpg - but then that’d be true for whatever V60 T6 you were buying. And to be able to get one at all is rare, given our preference back then was for diesels; to be able to get one in this colour combination and this condition for £7,950 looks too good to miss. Certainly not going to see another one anytime soon.
SPECIFICATION | VOLVO V60 T6
Engine: 2,953cc, straight-six turbo
Transmission: six-speed auto, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 329@5,600rpm (with Polestar optimisation)
Torque (lb ft): 324@2,100rpm (with Polestar optimisation)
MPG: 28.5 (standard)
CO2: 237g/km (standard)
Year registered: 2011
Recorded mileage: 84,000
Price new: £37,245 (UK, before options)
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