Volvo V40 Carbon with Polestar Performance Optimisation – but not for the UK

Volvo has revealed the V40 Carbon, the first new Volvo with Polestar Performance Optimisation, but it’s not coming to the UK. Just 343 being made.

Volvo revealed last month that they’re planning a whole range of Polestar performance models for the new Drive-E engined Volvos, with the promise of 140 different Polestar upgrades on the way by the end of 2015, and the first to be revealed in June.

But now, ahead of that June target, we learn that Volvo is producing the first of the new cars with Polestar Performance Optimisation as a limited edition V40 Carbon, but it is being built in very limited numbers – just 343, and will only be available in Finland, France, Japan, the Netherlands and Sweden, with the option of the D4 and T5 engines. The V40 Carbon won’t be offered in the UK.

But if you are in one of the markets the V40 Carbon is being made available, then you can expect a car tweaked by Polestar with a focus on throttle response, gear change speed, off-throttle response and performance.

That means the V40 Carbon will be sharper and more dynamic, with the D4 getting 197bhp (up by 16bhp) and the T5 250bhp (up 25bhp), with other upgrades including a carbon fibre roof and door mirrors, 19″ alloys, black trim highlights and tail pipes, red seat belts and carbon fibre sill plates.

It’s a nice little overhaul for the V40, and gives us some indication that the Polestar Performance Optimisation models heading for the UK – starting in June – will offer an appealing option.