Volvo loyalists, like myself, felt a bit like the brand had given itself a lobotomy when it decided to discontinue the "R-Package" on its cars. Getting rid of the truly insane Volvos for the pretentious R-Design package killed the Swedish brand's street cred on the racing scene. It seems that Volvo may be hinting at the return of its crazy side though with the unveiling of its new C30 Polestar Performance Concept Prototype car.

The C30 Polestar Performance Concept is what Volvo describes as, "what happens when racing engineers and designers get free hands to build a street car without any limitations set by a specific racing regulation." I can describe it in one word: orgasmic.

This C30 on steroids is powered by the same 2.5 liter "T5" turbocharged five cylinder engine as the normal C30 but has "a few" modifications. A larger intercooler, KKK 26 turbocharger, and reworked pistons, connecting rods and camshaft increase horsepower to a moose-tickling 405 horsepower.

The concept also features a Haldex all-wheel drive system, Ohlins shocks and springs, and a higher steering ratio for snappier handling. To stop this car, Polestar outfitted 380 mm disc brakes with six piston calipers in the front, and 330 mm discs with four piston calipers in the rear.

Large, 19-inch black finish BBS F1 rims wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires complement the aggressive styling of the front fascia that was derived from the C30 in the Swedish Touring Car Championship.

For those who are not familiar with Polestar, they are one of Volvo's development partners for STCC and helped the company create an E85 powered race car.

The C30 Polestar Performance Concept car, in short, is the closest that one could have to a Touring Championship car. I can't wait to see if and how this concept transforms into reality.

We will have more pictures and updates on this tomorrow once the vehicle is officially unveiled at the 2010 Gothenburg Motor Show.

theCD's take: This is an amazing car, but Volvo can you please be more creative with the names of your concept cars? Or at least make the names shorter?

Source: Volvo