Volvo's Polestar map on the D5 - worth it?
 

I know it adds only 15bhp but apperently it transforms the car?

Any user experiences?

I like my V70 but it just feels sluggish compared to previous cars I've owned with 200bhp.

It's the one thing I find annoying.

I'm not a boy racer by the way.

it's an "optimisation" of the vehicles existing functions rather than a remap.
It rounds off all the rough edges, if you like. I had my S60 done (after the usual gearbox problems) and I like it! The gearchange (mines an auto) is much smoother and at lower speed. The response to the throttle is much better and acceleration from slower speeds is way better with less fuss.

It's not necessary.....but it is nice. Remember though that if you have any underlying reason for your "sluggish" feeling, it might not work.

My dealer suggested that there was a 14 day cooling off period, so if you didn't like it they would reset it to the original. Worth asking about.

I've driven another V70 and it is the same I.e. its the way V70s drive. I wasn't factoring the V70s weight that the engine pulls round and its mass. So it's relative sluggishness is the V70!

Just returned from a round trip, Kent to Lowestoft and environs. Great journey, very relaxed, reasonable mpg and very flexible performance. Not so happy on the way back! Over 2 hours of traffic! Thank God for Volvo seats and a/c!

I had it installed on my XC70 and I feel that it has transformed the car. It pulls very well and moves the car up a notch compared to similar vehicles. The 215 bhp D5 engine is already a great accelerator but now it rarely needs selecting the Sport mode on the auto box and if you do, it gives a lot more than you need or expected. :wink_smile:

The main area of decision revolves around the cost. At full price it isn't cheap and is hard to justify if you have to budget your car expenses. Some dealers are offering discounts on Polestar installations and it never does any harm to ask for their best offer!

Is there a mileage limit for having this done - should it be done when the car has a lowish(?) mileage on the clock?

Since the optimisation rewrite is not excessive and does not over stress the system, if the engine and transmission are in good condition you wouldn't be taking great risks by having it installed. It's not a boy racer engine breaker.

I had it put on my T6 (petrol) a few years ago. Very happy. It needs to be disclosed to your insurers as an engine modification; IIRC my premium increased by about £10 p.a. which suggests that insurers don't rate it as "go faster" boy racer type upgrade.

GM

I always wonder why, if it's an 'optimisation' (not a re-map, Bob, that's different), Volvo didn't 'optimise' it first time round - especially with Polestar 'optimisation' being available pretty much on release.

I mean, who would release a vehicle with a sub-optimal map when they had the capability to do better - and what on earth might be their motivation?

Answers on postcards to the usual address...

1) Volvo

2) Profit.

There's always someone who'll buy a Polestar upgrade, so why not sell it?

It's also something that motoring journalists ought, perhaps, to campaign about, but I doubt that they will.

There are too many vested interests involved for this to change.