Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine – now with 415bhp Polestar Performance Optimisation

The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid can now be had with Polestar Performance Optimisation, with a raft of tweaks including a boost to 415bhp.

The Volvo XC90 Twin Engine plug-in Hybrid is a bit of a multi personality car which can, to a degree, play pure EV, hybrid runaround, motorway cruiser and performance SUV.

Now, it’s ability to play at performance SUV without compromising its other abilities, is enhanced with the arrival of Polestar Performance Optimisation for the T8 XC90, offering not just more power, but more sporty behaviour too.

Volvo say the Polestar tweaks for the XC90 make it the most powerful Volvo ever, although the reality is not an overwhelming increase in power.

The combined output of the electric motor on the back axle and the 2.0 litre ICE engine for the front is boosted from the regular 401bhp to 415bhp, with all the extra power coming from the supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine.

That increase in power makes the XC90 just 0.1s quicker to 62mph than the regular T8 at 5.5 seconds (which, to give a bit of perspective, is almost exactly the same 0-62mph time a the 5.0 litre Supercharged V8 Range Rover), but Polestar have aimed to make the XC90 a bit more responsive when hustling too.

That means improving throttle response as well as making the XC90 a bit more dynamic and able, helped  by a new gear hold function that keeps the car in gear during hard cornering.

Polestar Performance Optimisation for the T8 XC90 is now available in the UK, although we don’t yet have a price.