Polestar upgrade for diesel XC60

[NigelDay]

Originally Posted by Crockers

To be honest when I had it done it felt much more lively. But after a few weeks it didn't feel so lively as I had gotten used to it. Lol.

If they provided a Polestar on/off switch, you could refresh your memory of the 'normal' engine !

[Mick787]

I've had an e mail sent by Volvo offering a Polestar software upgrade at reduced cost of £695, saving £140. My car is the D5 AWD 220bhp manual. MY 2016. SE Lux Nav.
I don't want Carlos Fandango wheels or the filling in passengers teeth to be removed. Comfort with a bit of poke when needed, thats all I ask for. I don't go thrashing the car around from point to point. I'm currently experiencing a true 37mpg.
I'd appreciate any personal experience from any member who has had such an upgrade done. Has fuel economy been reduced. What has the BHP been changed to? Did the insurance company rub their hands with joy?
Was it worth it, can it be done to the vehicle or is this just a random round robin e mail or one that has been specifically sent to a chosen audience. Yes I can contact the dealership, but I'd like to hear from anyone who doesn't have an interest in making a few quid so I can weigh up pro's and cons.

[AndyJudge]

Originally Posted by Mick787

I've had an e mail sent by Volvo offering a Polestar software upgrade at reduced cost of £695, saving £140. My car is the D5 AWD 220bhp manual. MY 2016. SE Lux Nav.
I don't want Carlos Fandango wheels or the filling in passengers teeth to be removed. Comfort with a bit of poke when needed, thats all I ask for. I don't go thrashing the car around from point to point. I'm currently experiencing a true 37mpg.
I'd appreciate any personal experience from any member who has had such an upgrade done. Has fuel economy been reduced. What has the BHP been changed to? Did the insurance company rub their hands with joy?
Was it worth it, can it be done to the vehicle or is this just a random round robin e mail or one that has been specifically sent to a chosen audience. Yes I can contact the dealership, but I'd like to hear from anyone who doesn't have an interest in making a few quid so I can weigh up pro's and cons.

I currently have a D5 SE Lux 2012 Auto without polestar but am swapping it to a D5 SE Lux Nav Auto 2015MY with Polestar next week. I'll report back.

I was also quoted £695 apparently the deal is on until September.

I'll also add on a 500 mile round trip at around 75mph I also get an indicated 37mpg. The New car is doing exactly the same trip next Sunday so we'll see if there's any difference.

[Mick787]

SwissXC90's post about the fuel curve makes sense.
I assume as this is a Volvo upgrade any warranty claims would be honoured. There is a little part of me which wonders if its a good thing to do and if the components which will be affected by any increase in power have been designed to cope with the extra load and not fail after a shorter period than 'normal'. Its nice to have 220 bhp at hand and the engine sounds superb when it is 'kicked'. AndyJudge, your run at 75 sounds 'normal' use for me, (well maybe a tad more mph but not too much more) so any feedback re fuel economy would be much appreciated.

[davB]

Same email arrived for me as well - I have XC60 D4 FWD and with the scary torque steer in Sports mode I'm not sure I want 220 bhp.

The perception of 'value' is also to be considered - £695! - gosh. A colleague at work said 'so Volvo knew they could get extra BHP from the engine and yet decided to sell it as an 'extra' - Indeed; I think it's called 'business'.

I did see that you have 14 days to decide whether to keep it so they have to be confident that most users would like it.

[Ima Poster]

Originally Posted by SwissXC90

In a diesel, More Power comes from burning more fuel

You cannot get more power and have higher MPG!
It is the opposite: as you will burn more fuel to get more power, the MPG will reduce

Of course, if the Polestar upgrade changes the fuel curve of the engine to use less fuel (which means less power) for sedate driving, and then more fuel (meaning more power) for spirited driving, then you may see a MPG improvement when driving sedately.

But at the end of the day the power comes from the fuel: you cannot have more power with less fuel!

Previously I had a Jeep Commander diesel Auto and a remap from 210 to 260 led to a huge improvement in the fuel consumption as the car would hold 1 or 2 gears higher up hills. The answer probably depends on whether you live in a town, in a flat area or - like here - hilly Dartmoor.

[mordred1973]

I can't give a before and after comparison since mine was already Polestar'd by the dealer who had it as a demo. However in the 86000 miles I have put on since I love the torque the D5 230ps has and at the same time it's willingness to growl over 4000rpm if you feel like it....tows 1750kg amazingly too

[Mick787]

Mordred1973, what kind of mpg have you been getting from the car? Did you let your insurance company know about the upgrade? (Just wondering what they said.)

[Considered1]

QUOTE I have XC60 D4 FWD and with the scary torque steer in Sports mode I'm not sure I want 220 bhp.

All Seasons Tyres will solve this for you

[humming]

As I understand it the £695 price is an 'all in' price for the update, installation and a 14 day trial, where you can have it unistalled and money back if you don't like it.

The £835 price is for the software package only, installing, etc. is extra, so you be close to £1000 mark when all done. On that basis, £695 is a good price.