Volvo plans new future for Polestar



Volvo's high-performance Polestar arm is set to take a new direction, offering its own models in addition to performance accessories.

Australia was one of the first countries to receive Polestar vehicles, where Volvo capitalised on its V8 Supercars involvement by selling high-performance versions of the S60 sedan loaded up with race-style adjustable suspension and oversized brakes as well as a powerful six-cylinder engine.

The brand also offers accessories such as larger wheels, sports exhausts and bodykits for local models.

Speaking at the launch of the new S90 sedan in Victoria, Volvo Australia managing director Kevin McCann says the next Polestar model will be quite different to what has been offered in the past.

"Polestar is moving away from that high-performance race-oriented car," he says.

"There's an aftermarket and then there's a yet to be seen Polestar product... Which is a new direction for the Polestar product.

"I think we are going to see Polestar identification emerge around a particular set of products, which should be strong enough to be recognised as a Polestar, rather than a Polestar version of a Volvo."

While McCann can't give specifics, there is a solid chance that the future of Polestar will include battery power. The most powerful model in the new S90 line is a T8 all-wheel-drive model that combines a 235kW four-cylinder petrol engine with a 65kW electric motor that allows it to reach 100km/h in 5.2 seconds.

Former Polestar owner Christian Dahl told Drive in 2014 that the company was investigating hybrid power for its future models.

A fully-fleded Polestar performance version could offer additional electric power to push the S90 closer to class-leading models such as the Tesla Model S.

"It will reflect where Volvo is going with certain types of new technology," McCann says.

"I can't say too much about it."

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