Photo: Volvo
While we’re all still waiting for the first fully-fledged Polestar model, Volvo’s newly acquired tuning division hasn’t sat idly, but got to work on pumping the performance output of the XC90 SUV.
With its exclusively four-cylinder engines range, a lot of people will feel that the XC90 was indeed in need of a performance boost, even though those who actually tested the car said it behaved decently.
Benefiting from the power upgrade - known as Polestar Performance Optimization - will be both the D5 diesel and the T6 Drive-E gasoline-powered version. These two models will see their mid-revving performance receive a significant boost, but the upgrade also makes the accelerator respond even quicker, while at the same time altering the response of the automatic gearbox for faster changes. The transmission will also prevent gear changes during cornering, which could translate into a loss of power and cause upset.
So it’s not all about power, but control as well. All in all, the changes are meant to make the cars more dynamic and more predictable when driven in a sporty fashion.
As for the increase in power, it’s not even that impressive. The D5 Drive-E’s output will hop to 233 hp and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm), up from 225 hp and 347 lb-ft (470 Nm). The T6 Drive-E gets similar numbers, with 334 hp and 324 lb-ft (440 Nm) instead of 320 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). You see, it’s not much, but it all depends on how that extra power feels on the road.
And given how the Polestar Performance Optimization was developed by the Polestar engineers together with the racing drivers of Polestar Cyan Racing, everything should come together nicely.
There’s good news for Volvo owners who haven’t acquired the XC90 SUV yet, as similar upgrades are available for the D4 and T5 engines as well. These power the smaller models of the Swedish company’s range like the S60, V40, V40 Cross Country, V60 and XC60.
The cost for the upgrade is in the region of $1,285 and can be carried out in just half an hour by any authorized Volvo dealer.
Thed Björk, reigning Scandinavian Touring Car Championship (STCC) champion and Polestar Cyan Racing driver, said, “The new Polestar optimisation is about making the car more dynamic and responsive to drive. We use the same philosophy as when optimising our race cars, to create a completely balanced package. And this is exactly what we have focussed on with the new-generation optimisations for Volvo cars: powertrain optimisation for real-life driving.”
Benefiting from the power upgrade - known as Polestar Performance Optimization - will be both the D5 diesel and the T6 Drive-E gasoline-powered version. These two models will see their mid-revving performance receive a significant boost, but the upgrade also makes the accelerator respond even quicker, while at the same time altering the response of the automatic gearbox for faster changes. The transmission will also prevent gear changes during cornering, which could translate into a loss of power and cause upset.
So it’s not all about power, but control as well. All in all, the changes are meant to make the cars more dynamic and more predictable when driven in a sporty fashion.
As for the increase in power, it’s not even that impressive. The D5 Drive-E’s output will hop to 233 hp and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm), up from 225 hp and 347 lb-ft (470 Nm). The T6 Drive-E gets similar numbers, with 334 hp and 324 lb-ft (440 Nm) instead of 320 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). You see, it’s not much, but it all depends on how that extra power feels on the road.
And given how the Polestar Performance Optimization was developed by the Polestar engineers together with the racing drivers of Polestar Cyan Racing, everything should come together nicely.
There’s good news for Volvo owners who haven’t acquired the XC90 SUV yet, as similar upgrades are available for the D4 and T5 engines as well. These power the smaller models of the Swedish company’s range like the S60, V40, V40 Cross Country, V60 and XC60.
The cost for the upgrade is in the region of $1,285 and can be carried out in just half an hour by any authorized Volvo dealer.
Thed Björk, reigning Scandinavian Touring Car Championship (STCC) champion and Polestar Cyan Racing driver, said, “The new Polestar optimisation is about making the car more dynamic and responsive to drive. We use the same philosophy as when optimising our race cars, to create a completely balanced package. And this is exactly what we have focussed on with the new-generation optimisations for Volvo cars: powertrain optimisation for real-life driving.”
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