Volvo ups the performance stakes with a Polestar kick

Volvo Car South Africa is further adding to its performance credentials with the launch of Polestar performance software available across a wide range of models at all Volvo dealers.

Who/what is Polestar?

Polestar was founded in 1996 in collaboration with Volvo in order to drive forward Volvo’s investment in racing. Since then, Polestar has competed with the Volvo 850, Volvo S40, Volvo S60 and now the Volvo C30. The company’s core business is focused on development and competition in racing. In addition to racing, the company’s activities are organised into two further business areas, Performance and Services.

Polestar and Volvo performance:

Polestar Performance optimises the power and torque in your Volvo. It makes your Volvo more lively and fun to drive and is excellent for when you need extra power to safely overtake. All this without increasing the fuel consumption.

The power optimisation package is developed by Polestar technicians who have been optimising Volvos for racing circuits since 1996. Polestar’s long collaboration with Volvo now makes it possible to offer this power optimisation package, installed by Volvo workshops, while retaining the Original Volvo Warranty.

Volvo R-Design with added Polestar performance

For an extra boost, Polestar and Volvo R-Design are the perfect package – sporty Swedish design with even more power under the hood. R-Design is Volvo’s sports conversion, which is available across the Volvo range from C30 and S40 to XC90. The only exception being the Volvo C70 cabriolet.

R-Design specifics vary depending on the model, but in general the R-Design models are equipped with a sporty styling kit and adjustments are made to the vehicle’s handling and driving characteristics.

Combine this with the extra Polestar boost and the result is a pure and incredible driving experience.

Fuel consumption and the environment

A Volvo with the Polestar Performance package has the same certified fuel consumption as the standard version. This is possible thanks to efficient tuning of the engine, which only increases the power output when it is needed, i.e. for overtaking, long uphill gradients or driving with heavy trailers. This also means that the car’s environmental impact remains unchanged, It is maintained within the permitted limits for the certified emissions.

In practice it is even possible to use Polestar’s power optimisation to reduce fuel consumption slightly, if you drive in an environmentally sound manner with rapid acceleration and maintain an even speed with low engine load.

Volvo’s original speed inhibitor remains unchanged.

Fast and easy to install at your Volvo dealer

Polestar Performance can be installed by all Volvo dealers. If you have ordered in advance the work is carried out promptly, and you can collect your upgraded Volvo the same day. The work could well be carried out in conjunction with a regular service, tyre change, or installation of Volvo accessories. As with other Volvo Original Accessories, Polestar Performance can increase the resale value of your Volvo.

Local Polestar “line-up”

The vehicles listed below can all be fitted with the Polestar performance software:

The cost of the Polestar software upgrade is just over R10 000 on all models.