Polestar may have been spun off from Volvo as a performance electric vehicle brand, but it’s still involved in fettling Gothenburg’s various models. The basic tuning kit offered to customers comes in the form of a comprehensive powertrain software upgrade, called Polestar optimisation, and now the system also configures the all-wheel drive system for more rear-wheel bias for models that have AWD.
With the update, the system increases the amount and frequency of torque being distributed to the rear wheels. This, says Volvo, improves turn-in, mid-corner control and engagement and traction out of the corner, delivering what the company claims is a more engaging drive.
This increase in rear-wheel bias is enabled by selecting the Dynamic drive mode or turning the stability control off. “We are always fine-tuning the driving experience of Volvo cars and this upgrade makes the all-wheel drive both smoother and more dynamic,” said Volvo senior vice president of R&D Henrik Green.
Increased rear-wheel torque goes on top of the five existing optimisation areas of the Polestar software upgrade, which include sharper throttle response, faster off-throttle response, quicker gear changes, optimised gearshift points and in-corner gear holding, as well as increased engine output.
The AWD upgrade will be available from August 2018 onwards for Volvo 90 Series, 60 Series and XC40 models powered by petrol and diesel engines. Plug-in hybrid models such as the T8 Twin Engine and T6 Twin Engine, which have an electric-powered rear-axle, already provide a rear-wheel bias and do not need further AWD optimisation, according to Volvo.
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Volvo Lotus > all
Discount 30% to get some sales may be better strategy. At least get some kimchi customers
Volvo again thinking out of the box.
Will it be similar to the Focus RS’ drift mode?