Volvo’s performance car division, Polestar, has introduced the latest powertrain upgrade for the new Volvo XC60. With the Polestar enhancement, the new Volvo XC60 T8 is capable of delivering a total output of 421hp, matching the XC90 T8 Polestar, which is the most powerful Volvo models ever built.
The Polestar optimisation improves five key areas of the powertrain while retaining the Volvo warranty, class-leading emission levels, consumption of 2.1 l/100 km and a pure electric range of 45 kilometres for the T8. Depending market availability, the Polestar optimisation is offered in a total of five XC60 models, including the T8, T6, T5, D5 and D4.
Experience from more than two decades on the track with Cyan Racing, the motorsport partner of Polestar, has transformed the engine performance, throttle response, off-throttle response, gearshift speed and hold, taking the XC60 to a new level of driving pleasure.
“Our goal is to create usable performance in everyday driving situations for Volvo owners who want an enhanced driving experience,” said Henrik Fries, Vice President, Research and Development at Polestar. “The new XC60 has provided us with an excellent base to work on with a dynamic chassis and a state of the art powertrain. With the Polestar optimisation, it makes the new Volvo XC60 a true drivers’ car.”
Two key features of the optimisation are the improved engine performance and gearbox functionality.
The enhancements for the engine are made to provide greater power and torque in the mid-range of the engine, the area most often used in everyday-driving, for example when joining a highway, overtaking or exiting a corner.
The gearbox shifts faster, gearshift points have been calibrated to utilise the optimised mid-range engine performance, and the gear-hold function maintains the same gear when cornering with high lateral g-force in order to avoid unsettling the balance of the car.
Source: Polestar
