Red Bull drivers Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes took the pole positions for Saturday’s races at the Clipsal 500, but it was the performance of Volvo that stole the show.

Scott McLaughlin put his S60 fifth and second in the respective 15 minute qualifying sessions on the Swedish marque’s return to the championship.

The 20-year-old had sat atop the order prior to the final green tyre runs in the second session.

At the end of the flurry Lowndes emerged ahead from McLaughlin, who had improved his time to remain on the front-row, Whincup, Jason Bright and Mark Winterbottom.

Further underlining the Volvo’s speed, McLaughlin apologised over the radio after the session, claiming “I should have had that (pole)” if not for a mistake.

The first session had seen Whincup edge team-mate Lowndes, with Winterbottom, James Courtney and McLaughlin completing the top five.

Third had been a solid result for Whincup in the second hit-out. The five-time champion had made contact with the Turn 1 tyre bundle on his first lap and languished in 20th prior to his final effort.

Second Volvo driver Robert Dahlgren had a less spectacular qualifying than his team-mate, with the Swede set to line-up 21st and 25th for his first two V8 Supercar races.

All five manufacturers had reason to be encouraged from the afternoon, with each putting at least one car in the top seven in one of the sessions.

As had been the case in practice, Lee Holdsworth led the Mercedes charge ahead of his new high profile team-mate Will Davison.

Todd Kelly and Michael Caruso meanwhile took it in turns to be the flag bearers for Nissan, trading seventh in the two sessions.

The V8 Supercars will complete a final practice session at 1250 local time tomorrow ahead of Race 1 of the season at 1620.

See below for the Race 1 qualifying result

See below for the Race 2 qualifying result

*For a full preview and armchair guide to this weekend’s Clipsal 500 click here 

*Don’t forget to get a team together for the Castrol V8 Predictor – V8 Supercars’ #1 tipping