Polestar Software Upgrade For AWD Volvo Models Promises More Rear-Wheel Torque

“We are always fine-tuning the driving experience of Volvo cars and this upgrade makes the all-wheel drive both smoother and more dynamic,” declared Henrik Green about the Polestar software upgrade. The senior vice president of research and development at Volvo refers to a re-flash that modifies how the AWD system works, with the engine set up to send more torque to the rear axle.

What this means in turn is sportier handling, as well as oversteer if you know how to unsettle the grip and weight balance of the car to achieve the tail-happy behavior. The feature is engaged by selecting Dynamic drive mode or when the Electronic Stability Control system is off.

The rear-wheel torque distribution also improves steering during turn-in, engagement when cornering, and traction when pulling away. But that’s not all! The Polestar software upgrade also optimizes other areas of utmost importance, offering “sharper throttle response, faster off-throttle response, quicker gear changes, optimized gearshift points and in-corner gear holding, as well as increased engine output.”

Available for both gasoline- and diesel-engined models from the 90, 60, and 40 Series from August 2018 onwards, the upgrade can’t be performed on plug-in hybrid models such as the T8 Twin Engine Polestar Engineered mentioned a few paragraphs before. In other words, the T6 engine option will have to make to for the time being.

According to Volvo, the T8 Twin Engine and T6 Twin Engine “feature an electric rear axle drive system that utilizes electric power only on the rear wheels, already provide a rear-drive bias and do not require further AWD optimization.” In other words, owners of those models aren’t missing on anything.

Last, but certainly not least, Volvo claims the optimization software is WLTP-compliant in Europe. Customers who opt for it retain the factory warranty from Volvo because Polestar has Volvo’s blessing for this upgrade.