Now a wholly-owned Volvo subsidiary, Polestar is ready to infuse more power in the all-new 2017 V90 Cross Country fitted with the D4, D5, and T6 engines. The weakest diesel is rated in its standard configuration at 190 hp and 400 Nm, but Polestar’s engineers can dial the output to 200 hp and 440 Nm. Should you want more oomph, the beefier D5 can be upgraded from the series 235 hp and 480 Nm to 240 hp and 500 Nm. If you would rather have a gasoline engine, the T6 with its 320 hp and 400 Nm can be massaged to push out 334 hp and 440 Nm.
The power gains are minor, but Polestar mentions it will also tweak the gearbox by changing its calibration in order to enable faster shifts. Volvo’s performance arm goes on to specify focus was on optimizing the rugged wagon’s mid-range capabilities since that’s what matters the most during regular daily driving. Throttle response has also been improved, while upgrades in other areas have been implemented as well to enable what Polestar describes as being “a more dynamic driving experience.”
Polestar has already released similar upgrades for the XC90, S90, and V90 models, and now time has come for the V90 Cross Country to receive the goodies. Further down the line, future sporty Volvos tweaked by Polestar will feature electrification as a way to boost power and performance without affecting efficiency. Engines with more than four cylinders are not coming back, so people in the market for a fast Volvo will have to make do with four-pot units fiddled by Polestar.
As a final note, we should remind you the most powerful Volvo on sale today would have to be the XC90 T8 Twin Engine by Polestar with its upgraded turbocharged and supercharged gasoline engine and electric motor churning a combined 421 hp (314 kW) and 502 lb-ft (680 Nm).
Source: Polestar
Gallery: 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country: LA 2016
Polestar optimises the latest Volvo Cars model
The latest generation Polestar Performance Optimisation is now available for the new Volvo V90 Cross Country, taking the performance and drivability further in five key areas of the rugged and refined estate.
”To include the V90 Cross Country, a true adventure crossover, in our optimisation programme is a vital part of our operation to further expand on Volvo Cars’ new SPA vehicle architecture. Our product provides performance-oriented customers with a new level of driving pleasure,” said Niels Möller, Chief Operating Officer of Polestar.
The optimisation, available for the V90 Cross Country T6, D5 and D4 models* to begin with, does not only increase engine performance but affects a total of five areas for a more dynamic driving experience.
The main focus for the optimisation is on the mid-range, the area most often used in everyday driving. Connected to this is a new calibration of the gearbox, including faster shifts, in order to support the increased performance, making for a more engaging driving experience.
”Our focus is as always on creating usable performance, just as when we develop our racing cars to win championships. This is made possible by treating the entire powertrain, including engine, gearbox, throttle response and more, as one unit when developing our optimisations,” said Thed Björk, who drives a Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 with Drive-E technology in the 2016 FIA World Touring Car Championship.
Alongside the release for the V90 Cross Country, further engine options have been made available* for the Polestar Optimisation such as the Volvo XC90 D4.
Visit our model overview to see if your Volvo can be Polestar optimised and learn more about the five unique features of the latest generation Polestar optimisation here.
* = Release timing and availability may vary; contact your local Volvo dealer for further information.