2017 Volvo XC90 with Polestar upgrade revealed

Volvo’s flagship SUV, the XC90, now has a Polestar-tuned version. The chosen variant is the top-end T8 Twin Engine model which has a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine working in tandem with an electric motor. In its standard guise, this powertrain is good for a combined output of 400 hp and 640 Nm.

The Polestar treatment has bumped up the combined output to 421 hp and 680 Nm. The combustion engine generates 334 hp and 440 Nm whereas the electric motor produces 87 hp and 240 Nm. This power hike enables the 2340 kg XC90 to reach from 0-100 kph within 5.5 seconds. The tweaks to the powertrain has helped in retaining the old fuel efficiency figures of 2.1 l/100 km and 43 km of electric only range, despite the power increase. This move follows Volvo’s path of downsizing all engines by employing forced induction methods.

Polestar has fiddled with not just the powetrain, but has also improved throttle response and the gear-hold function. The gear-hold function keeps the vehicle running in the selected gear when it enters corners at high speeds. This eliminates the chance of a gear change while the car is negotiating a curve at high speeds.

The Polestar tuned XC90 is already available in Europe and will be launched in US this October. Whether we will get it in the UAE and other GCC countries remains to be seen.