Polestar with Powerpulse

[neon]

Anyone had Polestar with the new D5 Powerpulse engine and would share their view. I am finding the Powerpulse engine as it is to be pretty outstanding as far as performance goes. Not sure about MPG yet though, so far it is about 20% less MPG than my previous Mercedes CLS with a 4 cylinder 2.0 litre diesel engine on motorway runs. That was 4 years old and had done 57k miles.

[BTXC90]

Originally Posted by neon

Anyone had Polestar with the new D5 Powerpulse engine and would share their view. I am finding the Powerpulse engine as it is to be pretty outstanding as far as performance goes. Not sure about MPG yet though, so far it is about 20% less MPG than my previous Mercedes CLS with a 4 cylinder 2.0 litre diesel engine on motorway runs. That was 4 years old and had done 57k miles.

I had the Polestar tuning done to my D5 Powerpulse before I picked it.
I had test driven D5s twice before placing the order, both without polestar.

I may not be able to give a proper technical review, but I think it makes significant difference to the ride. To me the bigger difference is in the city roads, traffic signal and dual carriageway upto 50 Mile limit. (motorways as well but more evident in non-motorway roads to me)

Gear shift is better, you can feel the gear box is more responsive.
Also as some people have explained it takes the comfort mode to a level higher between the current comfort and dynamic mode.

I haven't had to switch to dynamic road yet.

I think even in the Swedespeed forum majority of people felt its a very useful upgrade.

[neon]

Originally Posted by BTXC90

I had the Polestar tuning done to my D5 Powerpulse before I picked it.
I had test driven D5s twice before placing the order, both without polestar.

I may not be able to give a proper technical review, but I think it makes significant difference to the ride. To me the bigger difference is in the city roads, traffic signal and dual carriageway upto 50 Mile limit. (motorways as well but more evident in non-motorway roads to me)

Gear shift is better, you can feel the gear box is more responsive.
Also as some people have explained it takes the comfort mode to a level higher between the current comfort and dynamic mode.

I haven't had to switch to dynamic road yet.

I think even in the Swedespeed forum majority of people felt its a very useful upgrade.

Thanks for your thoughts, the D5's you had test driven, were they powerpulse or pre powerpulse.

Looks like a similar thread has been started.

Yes I have been watching the Swedespeed comments but they are mainly petrol I think.

[BTXC90]

Originally Posted by neon

Thanks for your thoughts, the D5's you had test driven, were they powerpulse or pre powerpulse.

Looks like a similar thread has been started.

Yes I have been watching the Swedespeed comments but they are mainly petrol I think.

That's right, there is no D5 for the USA yet.
I drove one pre-powerpulse model, and one powerpulse. But can't comment on the former now.

My first test drive was around November last year

Took a couple of test drives on T8 as well. took a long time to decide and get my order IN.

[neon]

Thanks BTXC90. I have not really tried the car in dynamic yet and I am already impressed with the comfort setting. I am hoping for a good deal if I do eventually go with getting the Polestar.
As an aside how are your bottom seat side supports holding up as I am already noticing some creasing of the leather on the door side where I get into the car and cannot avoid sort of sliding into the seat. I have the sports contour seats. This may not get any worse but I am trying to avoid any premature wearing of the nappa leather.

[BTXC90]

Originally Posted by neon

Thanks BTXC90. I have not really tried the car in dynamic yet and I am already impressed with the comfort setting. I am hoping for a good deal if I do eventually go with getting the Polestar.
As an aside how are your bottom seat side supports holding up as I am already noticing some creasing of the leather on the door side where I get into the car and cannot avoid sort of sliding into the seat. I have the sports contour seats.

yeah sure, you can drive around for a little longer and then get the upgrade if you want.

I think you can get your money back if you are not satisfied with the polestar tuning. Make sure you clarify this with the dealer before you get it, if you get it.

[neon]

Originally Posted by BTXC90

yeah sure, you can drive around for a little longer and then get the upgrade if you want.

I think you can get your money back if you are not satisfied with the polestar tuning. Make sure you clarify this with the dealer before you get it, if you get it.

Yes my thoughts were to try it without for a time to get to know the performance and then if I did get it I could better see how much of an improvement it was.

[Razer]

Interested in this as well. Realise it's not all about bhp just can't imagine the performance increase. Sadly my dealer doesn't order any demos with polestar on so I can't give it a try

[tankplanker]

I'm waiting for the Android Auto upgrade to be available (it was announced as part of the new Cross Country press day apparently) before I get the Polestar upgrade fitted as I want to do it all in one go.

I'm most interested in that more of the torque is available lower in the rev range than a standard XC90. This extra torque should make the XC90 even better at towing (I tow my track car) and feel faster as well.

The upgrade also removes some of the lag around the accelerator pedal so the car should feel a lot sharper. My Golf R has a similar change when switching between Eco and Race modes, Race mode the accelerator is like a sharp knife, in Eco it is like a blunt spoon.

The faster gear changes and holding the gear on a corner are nice but then I'm not really pushing on round bends in the XC90, it is far too wallowly and I have other cars when I want to do that.

[chrisrixy]

I was think of this - as moving from a an older XC90 185 with Polestar. However the new D5 I took for 100 mile test drive was much better than my old one, and that was a non PowerPulse demonstrator. The dealer I spoke to suggested that a PowerPulse D5 was better than a non-PP D5 with Polestar.

Of course it would be good to hear from someone has has driven a PP D5 and a PP D5 with polestar.

Don't forget that in the UK the affinity deal on Polestar is £550 rather than £830 - but that might only be available if ordered at the same time as the car.