Volvo is considering a high-performance Polestar version of its V40 hatchback to join the 346bhp V60 Polestar estate in its high-performance sub-brand.
Volvo UK boss Nick Connor said: “We would like to see more Polestars.” He added he “would like to see a V40 Polestar” in particular.
That he willingly suggested this implies there’s more than a passing chance of this model happening. The company’s performance division certainly needs more than one limited-edition model (125 V60 Polestars are UK-bound) if it’s to make a lasting impact.
Volvo has the powertrain hardware in the shape of the new 315bhp version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E engine, as used in the new XC90.
That output would put a V40 Polestar on a par with the 296bhp Volkswagen Golf R, the 316bhp-plus Ford RS Focus, the 306bhp Honda Civic Type R and the 355bhp Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.
The V40 is also available with four-wheel drive, a Haldex system used on the ultimate version of the Cross Country models.
Connor said: “We need to extend the offer, because [such models] are brand builders and a statement of our engineering prowess. But it has got to be done at a price people can afford. These kinds of cars are not cheap to engineer.
“I don’t think it’s a brand that can stretch across the entire range. An XC90 Polestar doesn’t make much sense to me, especially when we have a 400bhp plug-in hybrid on sale that delivers so much performance. Polestars should be specialist, unique, low volume and desirable.”
Connor also ruled out a return to the British Touring Car Championship for Volvo.
See what we made of the Volvo V40 hatchback here
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bmw
Welcome to the party!!!!
Waste of time and effort.
Like the V70R and S60R? For all the press and plaudits those cars won, Volvo must have been lucky if any dealership sold more than one. The V60 polestar? Never seen one, not even when passing the local Volvo dealership. Perhaps that £50k price has something to do with it? Like previous high performance Volvos, expect very high depreciation. There may be a very small market for this car, the majority would put their money in to an everyday BMW 3 series which will be cheaper to run, provide almost the same performance, drive better, will be better built and will be much, much easier to sell on.
scotty5 wrote:Peter Cavellini
Just me then?,but, i'm a bit of an Anorak,bit like counting MG6's.
scotty5 wrote:Peter Cavellini
If you'd have done any sort of research or actually had read about them you would have known that there were very limited numbers available for sale in the uk in the first place so the fact that you haven't seen one is neither here nor there really is it? Volvo were never likely to produce a best in class high performance saloon/estate were they but at least the Polestar's are a credible alternative to the established players if you don't fancy any of them and I don't see how more choice could ever be a bad thing
V40 Polestar
Richard H wrote:I'd be
The new Volvos are so expensive though, the current range topper V40 T5 is a 32k car before options which is more than a Golf R, S3, M135 and a hell of a lot more than say a Focus ST, Leon Cupra etc and has less power and performance than all of them.
The Polestar badge will surely push this further up the scale.
A 40k V40? I can't see it doing very well. If it undercut the Germans (or at least match them) I would and i'm sure many others would be tempted.