Volvo’s performance offshoot, Polestar, has unveiled its first car – a 600hp coupé called Polestar 1 – and confirmed its future as a new standalone electric performance brand.
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Volvo V90 Cross Country gets Polestar upgrade
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Volvo S90 and V90 get Polestar upgrades
Polestar, the performance brand of Volvo Cars, has launched its new generation performance package for the new Volvo S90 and V90.
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Volvo adds Polestar performance range
Volvo’s performance division Polestar has launched a range of performance upgrades.
Polestar Performance Parts are available for the Volvo S60, V40, V60 and XC60 models to begin with, including chassis parts, wheels, exhaust, interior and exterior details, and more.
"We have received strong feedback over a long period of time from customers all over the world regarding Polestar Performance Parts. We are delighted to be able to meet the demand, starting from today. This is a product improving on the already strong base of Volvo cars in terms of performance, handling and driving pleasure," said Niels Möller, Chief Operating Officer of Polestar.
"What we learned on the racing circuits with our colleagues at Cyan Racing is that championships are not won in a single lap. The secret of our success on the tracks is in creating balanced and precise cars that are predictable for the driver to control in all situations. Lessons learned on the tracks are transferred directly into the development of our road cars and performance products. The new range of Polestar Performance Parts is no exception – they are designed and developed with the very same philosophy," said Henrik Fries, R&D Director of Polestar.
Available as a complete package, including chassis parts, wheels and tyres, intake and exhaust, as well as exterior and interior parts, all of these components will together ‘create a more compelling driving experience’, especially in combination with the Polestar Performance Optimisation, and can be bought in separate packages as well.
All performance parts are developed and tested together with Volvo Cars to the same high standards as all other products with no impact on the Volvo factory warranty.
Available from participating Volvo dealers in April, prices have yet to be announced.
Volvo adds XC90 performance upgrades
Volvo is enhancing the performance of the XC90 with a series of Polestar-developed upgrades.
This is the first time that Polestar, Volvo's performance brand, has focused its attention on the new seven-seat SUV. 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.
They also make the accelerator responses even quicker, according to Volvo, and alter the settings of the automatic gearbox to provide faster gear changes and prevent gearshifts during rapid cornering, which could unsettle the car. These quicker and more precise responses to driver commands not only make the driving experience more dynamic, they ensure the car responds predictably during high-speed driving.
The maximum output of the D5 Drive-E engine is increased to 233 hp and 500 Nm of torque (up from 225 hp and 470 Nm), while the T6 Drive-E is boosted to 334 hp and 440 Nm (from 320 hp and 400 Nm).
With the Polestar Performance Optimisation, the D4 Drive-E offers 200 hp and 440 Nm (up from 190 hp and 400 Nm), while the output of the T5 Drive-E is raised to 253 hp and 400 Nm (from 245 hp and 350 Nm).
The D4 Drive-E upgrades are available in the S60, V40, V40 Cross Country, V60 and XC60, and the T5 Drive-E enhancements are offered in the V40 and V40 Cross Country.
The price of the D4, D5 (release timing and availability may vary), T5 and T6 Polestar upgrades is £835, including VAT and fitting. The work can be carried out now at any authorised Volvo dealer, and should take about 30 minutes to complete.
Nick Connor, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, said: "These new Polestar Performance Optimisations make our cars and Drive-E engines even more dynamic and desirable. The combination of increased power and torque - especially at medium revs - and the changes to make the entire drivetrain more responsive ensure that owners will really feel the difference these optimisations make."
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.
The Polestar upgrades do not affect the certified emissions and fuel consumption figures, service intervals or Volvo warranty cover.
Volvo completes Polestar takeover
Volvo has acquired 100 per cent of Polestar, the Swedish high performance car company, including the Polestar brand.
Having worked together for many years, Polestar will now be used as the model name for special high performance Volvos. Polestar will also, in future, utilise Volvo's twin engine electrification technology to develop next generation performance cars. Volvo and Polestar have been working together in motor sport since 1996 and in recent years signed a cooperation agreement to jointly develop Polestar versions of Volvo cars that combine a comfortable Volvo driving experience with a very high level of power and handling.
The acquisition of Polestar Performance AB comprises of performance activities including performance-related software and aftermarket tuning hardware, as well as Polestar Holding AB, which is the owner of the Polestar trademarks. It has not acquired the racing division of Polestar.
The Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar feature a 350 horse power T6 engine, for a 0-62 mph time of 4.9 seconds, as well as featuring an 'extensively developed chassis', increased mid-range engine performance in combination with supporting changes for the gearbox and throttle response.
"Driving a Volvo Polestar is a special experience. We have decided to bring this experience to more Volvo drivers, placing the full resources of Volvo behind the development of Polestar as the model name for our high performance cars," said Hakan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars.
In 2015, Volvo says it expects to sell 750 Polestar versions of the V60 wagon and S60 sedan globally. Polestar sales are forecast to increase to between 1,000 and 1,500 cars a year in the medium term under Volvo's ownership.
The Polestar racing team will remain under the control of Christian Dahl, the former owner of Polestar, and will be renamed. The Polestar brand will continue to work alongside Christian Dahl.
"We are extremely satisfied with the way the performance business with Volvo has developed. But we are a racing team first and foremost. This is an opportunity to return our full attention to our core business - to develop and race Volvo cars," said Christian Dahl.