The Volvo XC90 is already pretty hot, but it’s about to get even hotter with the news of a Polestar version.
Polestar is preparing to launch the XC90 Polestar, complete with Volvo’s new four-cylinder petrol tuned to ‘at least 350bhp’ instead of the turbocharged straight-six used in the S60 and V60 Polestar, the AutoCar report claims.
A hot version of the XC90 hybrid is also being considered by Polestar. A turbocharger and supercharger will be fitted to the 2.0-litre Drive-E and it will be mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Polestar chief operating officer Niels Möller described the smaller engine as “strong or even stronger” than the current straight-six in addition to being lighter and more eco-friendly.
“With the new engine, weight will be reduced and power will increase, but there will be nearly half the CO2 emissions. We believe in the future performance cars must cope with environmental developments,” he said.
“If I don’t see a business case on each and every model, I will not do it. Right now, we are taking the full range of Volvo’s portfolio and thinking about how we could position a Polestar version,” he added.
Sadly Möller stopped shy of fully confirming the XC90 Polestar, but it seems like an obvious move when you consider the gap between the S60 and V60 Polestar and the fact SUVs are selling like hot cakes.
Not only that, Volvo bought Polestar in July 2014, meaning the latter now has access to hybrid technologies and expertise.
Perhaps we’re just getting a bit excited and looking past the speculation because the thought of a tuned XC90 is an exciting one. We absolutely loved the standard one, after all.
On a related note, Volvo is using the Polestar brand as part of its return to motorsport in 2016, in a bid to raise awareness for the brand and generate 100 per cent growth in sales figures to 1,500 units.
While we wait for official confirmation, check out our Volvo XC90 video review under these very words.
Leave a Reply