A week after announcing its new 2017 S90 Sedan and V90 Wagon would offer Polestar Performance Optimization, Volvo has confirmed another Polestar enhancement which will be available on the 2017 XC90 T8 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid SUV. Set to arrive here in late fall, the newest Polestar kit adds more power to the gasoline half of the XC90 T8’s drivetrain while sharpening overall responsiveness.
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This latest Polestar upgrade adds 14 horses to the XC90 T8 Twin Engine’s 2.0-liter supercharged/turbocharged 4-cylinder Drive-E 4-cylinder along with 44 more lb-ft of torque, at least in Euro trim. Coupled with the existing 87-horse electric motor, it raises output to 415 horsepower and 502 lb-ft. While final U.S. figures are still pending, most of that extra muscle is expected to make it to showrooms here. If that proves to be the case, Volvo’s high-end 3-row hauler should be able to sprint from 0-60 mph in less than 5.5 seconds without impacting its existing EPA numbers or 18-mile pure-electric range.
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Like the Polestar Performance Optimization package found on the S90/V90, the XC90’s ancillary enhancements also bring software improvements that ensure quicker, more precise throttle response while serving up faster and crisper cog changes on its 8-speed automatic transmission — which also gains a new “hold” function to prevent any undesired gear changes during hard cornering that could unsettle the vehicle. Pricing for the Polestar Performance Optimization upfit on the 2017 Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid will be announced closer to its official on-sale date.
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