General: 185 versus 200 bhp Engines

[XC90 Dave]

I'm sure someone out there knows what the mechanical differences between the 185 bhp and 200 bhp XC90 engines are, because if they are minimal this may be a good route to upgrade instead of going for the Polestar option?

[The Painter]

The difference is purely a differerent ECU map, there is no mechanical difference whatsoever.

The 200BHP map is almost identical to the Polestar map.

[GDB]

The performance of my new 2011 D5 200 is noticeably better than the old 2006 D5 185, of course the old car had covered 70k miles.

[Rentagas]

Originally Posted by GDB

The performance of my new 2011 D5 200 is noticeably better than the old 2006 D5 185, of course the old car had covered 70k miles.

The exhaust is different to comply with euro 5

[moncman]

My 200hp version has only done 1300 miles so has a lot of loosening up to do but so far it feels easily as responsive as the polestar upgraded 185 (205) that I test drove for a weekend and is returning better mpg.

[262coupe]

My 200 feels much more gutsy than the 185s I test drove.

[drpepper]

Likewise, my 200 seems gutsier and more responsive than the Polestar upgraded 185 i demo'd for a weekend.

[XC90 Dave]

Originally Posted by The Painter

The difference is purely a differerent ECU map, there is no mechanical difference whatsoever.

The 200BHP map is almost identical to the Polestar map.

So which dealer will do an upgrade at a sensible price and as it would be a Volvo upgrade insurance charges should be reasonable?

[reggie59]

Originally Posted by XC90 Dave

So which dealer will do an upgrade at a sensible price and as it would be a Volvo upgrade insurance charges should be reasonable?

if the exhaust is different, it will not be that easy.

If it was just a ECU software upgrade, then Volvo should do free of charge.

For sure, Volvo is a responsible company who takes CO2 emission serioulsy. As the new ECU program reduces consumption... hence emission, they should do it on all cars free of charge. What a PR that would be?

Insurance group has not been affected on 200bhp model so should not have an impact on insurance. Again, insurance company are responsible business who for sure, you will not disuade car owners to upgrade the engine for efficiency and reduce emmission thefore, again no impact in insurance premium.

;-)

[reggie59]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Likewise, my 200 seems gutsier and more responsive than the Polestar upgraded 185 i demo'd for a weekend.

when I was 17. I put a new performace exhaust on my motorbike, a yamaha 125cc DTLC. For sure, as I paid £20 "to upgrade the exhaust", it was faster. I was convinced about it until a friend with exactly the same model and standard exhaust overtook me.

I am sceptical that 20bhp and 40nm is noticeable on the 2 tons volvo (would have been on my 22 bhp Yamaha DTLC though) especially as nothing major has changed but I will test drive one to see.