Court sports units are a common occurrence for many manufacturers, and Volvo is no exception. Polestar employs 45 people and is based in the neighborhood of Volvo. All developments and refinements are done independently, and production is deployed in one of the workshops of the Volvo factory.
Until recently, we did not observe the active promotion of the subsidiary company, although it was possible to order separate “iron” elements and firmware from dealers. But since April, the Swedes took the bull by the horns and began global sales (including in Russia) of integrated sports packages for three models - the Volvo V40, S60 and XC60. However, you can’t buy a ready-made Volvo with a Polestar prefix: you need to buy and install a sports package separately from an authorized dealer. Packages include modified settings for the engine and transmission control system, intake and exhaust systems, as well as refinement of the chassis. Of course, not without external metamorphoses and changes in the interior.
In parallel with the storming of the market this year, Volvo (and Polestar) is returning to the WTCC World Championship with the Polestar Cyan Racing factory team. Is it a burning desire to show oneself or a cold calculation?
Soft tread
Signature Polestar alloy wheels with a snowflake pattern. Diameters: 19 inches for the V40, 20 inches for the S60 and 21 inches for the XC60 crossover. Signature Polestar alloy wheels with a snowflake pattern. Diameters: 19 inches for the V40, 20 inches for the S60 and 21 inches for the XC60 crossover
Refinement of the chassis - these are other springs and shock absorbers. Their characteristics are selected individually for each modification, because the type of drive and engine significantly affect the mass distribution along the axes. Depending on this, the compression stroke force of shock absorbers is increased by 15–25%. The springs are equally stiffer, and their height is reduced by 5–25 mm.
Most notably, the XC60 crouched - 10 mm in front and 25 mm in the rear. The result was not long in coming - on the serpentine XC60 no longer seems like a big crossover. He confidently rests on an arc and smartly responds to driving movements, giving the driver clear feedback. It is gratifying that the ride was almost unaffected - the XC60 surprisingly gently fulfills the numerous flaws of Italian roads. Although I expected something different from the car on wheels of the 21st diameter with an “electrical tape” of dimension 255/40 R21. Sorry, the suspension is noisy. Each hit of an obstacle is felt more by the ears than by the body.
Sedan S60 is underestimated not so radically - by 10 mm. And he also takes care of the riders. In addition, only for vehicles of the 60th series, stretching of the front suspension struts is available. The reaction to the steering wheel became sharper, a clearly marked “zero” appeared, the absence of which the standard machine sins. The V40 Polestar hatchback also pleased on the serpentines, but turned out to be an outspoken chipper, although it crouched only 5 mm.
Who shot?
The exhaust system is made of thin-walled pipes with a diameter of 2.5 inches. Particular attention was paid to setting the sound, which turned out to be very juicy. The exhaust system is made of thin-walled pipes with a diameter of 2.5 inches. Particular attention was paid to setting the sound, which turned out to be very juicy
Changes in the settings of the D4 and D5 diesel engines, as well as two gasoline turbo engines - the five-cylinder T5 and the four-cylinder T6 from the new Drive-E line - cannot be called radical. The power increase for all engines does not exceed 5%. But the speed range of maximum power and maximum torque became wider, which did not fail to affect the elasticity. Already from medium revs petrol engines please with a confident pressure that will not fall until the cut-off. And diesels even flaunt thrust almost from idle.
For effective traction, the gearbox is retuned. The moment of switching the automatic gearbox is shifted to the zone of higher revolutions, and when the gas is released, the machine does not immediately switch to overdrive, so that at any moment you can be ready for subsequent acceleration. In fact, there is still not enough drive in the usual “drive”: with sharp accelerations, there is a delay when switching the box down. But in the “sport” all the cars I tested instantly responded to the pedal, immediately going down one or two steps.
Each switch is accompanied by a juicy backache of the exhaust system, for the configuration of which a special thank you. S60 and XC60 have soft shots, as if from a weapon with a silencer. But the V40 keeps on being mean: shifting gear is not only a loud “shoot-out”, but also a tangible push. Cheerfully!
Highly paid stars
Although all three models have become sharper and more reckless in management, I have a feeling of deliberate reliability and gentleness of character. Perhaps Volvo cars performed by Polestar are much more suitable for confident driving in rain or snow than for racing in the mountains of Southern Europe. It was not without reason that cars were refined not in Italy, but in Germany and in northern Sweden. Henrik Fries, Polestar Research and Development Director, confirmed my guesses: “When setting up, we really focused more on the northern climate.” For Russia - what you need!
In the future, we will be offered tuning packages for the flagships S90 and XC90. Will there be extreme versions of the production Volvo? In response, Henrik smiled slyly: "Yes, there are such plans, but I can’t say what model it concerns."
In the salons of all the modified models of changes, there is a minimum: the first thing that catches your eye is the automatic gear selector with the Polestar logo. In the salons of all the modified models of changes, there is a minimum: the first thing that catches your eye is the automatic gear selector with the Polestar logo.
Finally, the most pressing question: how much is this pleasure?
In Europe, a full set for the V40 costs 6, 700 euros. But in the Russian market there is only a Cross Country version, therefore other models are relevant for us: an upgrade of the S60 sedan will cost 7700 euros, and the XC60 - 9300 euros.
It is noteworthy that all components, whether it is a suspension kit or exhaust system, can be purchased element-wise and installed at an authorized dealer - without loss of warranty. It is possible that in order to reduce the final price, Russians will be offered cars of special series, initially (already at the factory) equipped with Polestar components. And actually the prices will probably be corrected.