What's the news?
Volvo is serious about taking on BMW and Audi with its new S90 saloon and V90 estate, and to match the Germans' M-Sport and S-Line packs, the Swedes are introducing Polestar performance packs for both four-door and wagon.
The packs, unlike the BMW and Audi ones, which concentrate exclusively on suspension and styling, also offer mild upgrades in power and torque. Throttle response and gearshift speed and precision and ramped up too.
The first engine for which Polestar upgrades will be offered is the D5 PowerPulse four-cylinder turbo diesel, which sees its outputs increased from 235hp and 480Nm to 240hp and 500Nm. All of the upgrades have been made in co-operation with Polestar Cyan Racing, Volvo's works racing team, which runs an S60 in the World Touring Car Championship.
"We continue to enhance the performance of Volvo's new, class-leading SPA vehicle architecture and Drive-E powertrains. The S90 and V90 already offer excellent driving dynamics, and we are delighted to raise the performance level even further with Polestar Performance Optimisation," said Niels Möller, COO of Polestar, the Volvo Cars performance brand.
"It is exciting to take the technology we use in our race cars and apply that to Volvo's road cars. We have created a balanced package that provides performance in all conditions, whether you are winning a race or driving actively on your favourite roads," said Thed Björk, who drives a Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 with Drive-E technology in the FIA World Touring Car Championship.
In the UK, the Polestar upgrade for the D5 costs STG£835, but we're awaiting confirmation as to when and at what price the upgrades will be available in Ireland.