Developed in-conjunction with Polestar's Cyan Racing division, the T8 receives a series of engine and gearbox tweaks it claims improves throttle response, engine performance and gearshift speed/hold, to produce 214 kW from the 2.0-litre Drive-E engine. Fuel consumption is still rated at 2.1 L/100 km with an all-electric range of 45 km.
Polestar has also confirmed that similar upgrades are available for the T5, T6, D4 and D5, but have so far remained mum on power and torque figures. The XC60 is expected to touch down in South Africa next year.
An electric future from 2019
Meanwhile, Volvo has also announced that every new model from 2019 onwards will be fitted as standard with an electric motor, with five all-electric models, two being made by Polestar, set to be introduced between 2019 and 2021.
"This announcement marks the end of the solely combustion engine-powered car. Volvo Cars has stated that it plans to have sold a total of one million electrified cars by 2025. When we said it, we meant it. This is how we are going to do it," Volvo Cars President and CEO, Håkan Samuelsson, said in a statement.
The latest statement comes after it was confirmed last month that Polestar would become a separate entity solely focused on electric performance motoring.
