Polestar unleashes 314kW XC60

Those cheeky Swedes are at it again.

Volvo’s reinvigorated tuning arm Polestar has released details of another performance pack, this time based on the plug-in hybrid version of the Swedish brand's new XC60 mid-size SUV due on sale in Australia in October.

The Gothenburg-based operation claims it has fettled the XC60's T8 drivetrain – the combination of a 2.0-litre supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder and electric motor – to produce a credible 314kW of power and 680Nm of torque. This compares with 300kW and 640Nm from the donor car, which draws electric power from a 10.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

By way of comparison, the enhancements imbue the adapted Volvo wagon with more power than Audi's SQ5 and Porsche's Macan Turbo.

The underbody changes are expected to endow the mid-size SUV with a 0-100km/h time of about five seconds, courtesy of faster gear changes and improved mid-range response.

Furthermore, Polestar claims it achieved the feat without affecting the XC60’s warranty, emission levels, fuel consumption of 2.1L/100km and pure electric range of 45km.

“With the Polestar optimisation, it makes the new Volvo XC60 a true drivers’ car,” says Polestar’s vice-president for R&D, Henrik Fries.

Volvo Cars Australia has been contacted for comment.

The XC60 optimisation follows closely in the wheel tracks of the existing XC90 T8 fillip, which offers a line-ball 14kW/40Nm over the donor car.

The latest model continues Polestar’s reinvention as a bonafide Tesla rival. In June, the performance arm announced plans to develop a performance-oriented catalogue of electric models.

Polestar had worked alongside Volvo on motor sport projects from 1996, prior to Volvo’s acquisition of the company in 2015. Volvo has explicitly stated in its press release announcing the new appointees that Polestar cars will be badged ‘Polestar’, not ‘Volvo’.

The company will, however, continue to supply performance ‘optimisation packages’ for Volvo’s own model range.