Volvo S90, V90 Polestar to get hybrid powertrains

Volvo revealed the all-new S90 on December 2, 2015. The sedan, based on the SPA platform underpinning the new XC90, is set to replace the ageing S80 in the company’s line-up internationally. An estate version, to be called V90 is also being developed and is expected to be revealed sometime in 2016.

Following the global reveal, Volvo boss Håkan Samuelsson stated that the company is planning on developing performance versions of the flagship sedan and estate under the Polestar badge with hybrid powertrains.

Samuelsson also suggested that Polestar’s future direction would include hybrid models and the brand is definitely going to focus on electrification.

Volvo’s R&D head, Peter Mertens added that Polestar aimed to offer sophisticated performance in place of ‘boy racer’ models with large engines. He said that Tesla had legitimised electric performance and Polestar aimed to offer greater sophistication along with “performance without regrets”.

On the topic of Polestar models, Nick Connor, MD, Volvo UK, said that there was a clash of ideals currently between the brand’s environmental-led image and its performance model, and the use of hybrid powertrains could help to tie the two sides together.

“Polestar optimising the T8 hybrid powertrain would be very interesting,” he said. “That would present a very interesting technical solution, with the ultimate power being combined with an environmental powertrain.”