Volvo S90 and V90 Get the Polestar Touch

Volvo S90 (Credit: Volvo)

Volvo is steadily adding Polestar Optimization Packages to its long list of premium rigs. Last year, we saw the XC90 get a powertrain boost from Volvo’s performance arm, and just recently, Volvo announced that its platform mates, the V90 and S90, will get light Polestar tunes too.

The full scope of the Polestar Optimization Packages available for the 90 Series sedan and wagon is still unknown, but Volvo did announce that these packages would modify the entire powertrain, not just the engine. So, on top of a power boost, we’re talking about improvements to throttle response, off-throttle response, and shifting speeds and precision.

Volvo will slowly roll out these packages, starting with the kit designed for the D5 diesel engine. This diesel mod will take it from 235 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque to 240 ponies and 272 pound-feet of torque. The next step is to up the power of the T6 engine, but that likely won’t come until around October 2016.

For reference, the T6 powertrain in the 90 Series Volvos cranks out 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Given the Polestar tune increases the XC90 T6’s horsepower and torque by 4 percent and 10 percent, respectively, the S90 and V90 T6 should end up around 329 horsepower and 325 pound-feet.

We’ll bring you all of the official numbers once they become available, so keep it locked here.