Polestar would first be modifying the Volvo XC90 crossover. Known as “Polestar Performance Optimisation’, the upgrades improve the power and torque figures of both the D5 diesel and T6 petrol Drive-E engines, particularly at medium revs where it’s most effective”. Engineers have focused on optimizing and refining the entire drivetrain for a more dynamic driving experience.
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Reigning Scandinavian Touring auto Championship (STCC) champion and Polestar Cyan Racing driver Thed Björk helped design the new package, and said: “The new Polestar optimisation is about making the vehicle more dynamic and responsive to drive”.
Those modest power increases are supplemented by a re-worked automatic transmission that speeds up gearshifts and prevents changes during fast cornering so as not to risk unsettling the auto.
Polestar is preparing to launch the XC90 Polestar, complete with Volvo’s new four-cylinder petrol tuned to “at least 350bhp” instead of the turbocharged straight-six used in the S60 and V60 Polestar, the AutoCar report claims. “Drivability is everything in racing; it is about having power available when you need it and to be in control”.
Finally, until the end of December 2015, all model-year 2005 to model-year 2015 all-wheel-drive Volvos can be upgraded with the Polestar Performance Optimisation at the discounted price of £620, saving £215.
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According to Volvo, all the optimizations are made with certified emissions, fuel consumption, service intervals and Volvo warranties provided will not change.
