RE: Volvo plans hot V40 Polestar

[markCSC]

Checkmate said:

Article said:

And despite The T5 will share much of its underpinnings with the front-drive Focus ST.

What is this I don't even

Maybe

"And despite The T5 name it will share much of its underpinnings with the front-drive Focus ST"

i.e. a 4 pot engine

[mikEsprit]

My peripheral vision read this as Volvo plans hot Pornstar

[Basil Hume]

I'm an Audi S3 Sportback driver and probably represent the very core market for this sort of product from Volvo.

I hope some Volvo UK folk monitor these sorts of threads for reaction, because from me it's very positive - I really need a reason to buy a Volvo and this sort of car really would be it. Yes, I am a Guardian-reader with two little kids, social liberal leanings and a bit of disposable cash.

[falconhoof]

This an extremely long shot but it would be good if ford used the 4wd platform and made a two door focus rs 4wd, get cosworth in on it and whack a big wing on the back! Go on I dare you! Damn not a chance!

[tommy vercetti]

Hope the make this and don't just hype it up, like the C30 and the S60.

[Waugh-terfall]

Probably the worst written article ever.

[Bladedancer]

Is that proper full time AWD or one of those gimmicky electronic thingies that is 2WD most of the time and AWD when ECU decides it need traction?

[busta]

Volvo never really shouted enough about the S40 T5 (or any recent T5 tbh!). It was available with AWD (haldex) in some markets to. It offered the same performance and similar handling to a Focus ST, without the garish image.

Haldex are Swedish so it seems likely that Volvo will continue to use them, even for hot models.

This will never compete with the likes of the M135i as a drivers car, but there's many other areas where it may have more appeal to a significant number of buyers such as comfort and practicality.

[Munich]

Kong said:

It says in the article. It's a halo model to market the hot Volvo/Polestar brands rather than to make profit - even at that price.

One or two customers in the UK, but how many in the whole world? Maybe the new Chinese owners feel they can sell a sufficient number in China, because although this might be a halo car designed to bring kudos to the brand as opposed money, surely it has to pay for itself in some way - Volvo isn't that cash rich. I can only assume that the new Chinese owners are full of confidence and money to be able to say that this time this car is purely a marketing exercise.

[Munich]

Bladedancer said:

Is that proper full time AWD or one of those gimmicky electronic thingies that is 2WD most of the time and AWD when ECU decides it need traction?

If what Busta says is correct, then I'm afraid it will probably be 2WD until the ECU decides otherwise. However, the system is being improved all the time and is now at a level of development where it is possible to be able to put 100% of the power to the rear wheels if so desired.

busta said:

Volvo never really shouted enough about the S40 T5 (or any recent T5 tbh!). It was available with AWD (haldex) in some markets to. It offered the same performance and similar handling to a Focus ST, without the garish image.

Haldex are Swedish so it seems likely that Volvo will continue to use them, even for hot models.

[busta]

Munich said:

Kong said:

It says in the article. It's a halo model to market the hot Volvo/Polestar brands rather than to make profit - even at that price.

One or two customers in the UK, but how many in the whole world? Maybe the new Chinese owners feel they can sell a sufficient number in China, because although this might be a halo car designed to bring kudos to the brand as opposed money, surely it has to pay for itself in some way - Volvo isn't that cash rich. I can only assume that the new Chinese owners are full of confidence and money to be able to say that this time this car is purely a marketing exercise.

Lots of 'halo' cars are sold at a loss. As a marketing exercise, even if they are £1m down (50 cars, £20k loss on each) by the end of it it may still be worthwhile in the long run. For all we know they may be almost breaking even.
It's starting to look like the relationship between Volvo and Polestar is a serious one- any money lost now on this marketing exercise may soon be made up with production models like the hot V40.

[Canningmister]

Aeroresh said:

10% more?....meh

If they want to play with the likes of BMW and Audi they are going to have to do better than that. In fact they are going to need to trump them on power as I forsee dynamically they wont be quite as good (or am I just being over cynical?)

Agreed...Not exactly setting the bar too high are they...If they want to compete with the likes of BMW & Audi then 300bhp should be the lowest benchmark for them.

[Bladedancer]

Munich said:

If what Busta says is correct, then I'm afraid it will probably be 2WD until the ECU decides otherwise. However, the system is being improved all the time and is now at a level of development where it is possible to be able to put 100% of the power to the rear wheels if so desired.

Being in the software industry myself I prefer if there are as few ECUs as possible

[After_Shock]

HowardB said:

I drove the new V40 round Goodwood race track, it is great fun as long as you are prepared to surrender all your responsibility to the in built computers and sensors. It stops, it slows, it parks and trys to stay inside white lines. All of which are very commendable technologically but will encourage the driver to be even less engaged in the act of driving.

Er buy one without all those options on it? Simple enough solution.

[After_Shock]

Bladedancer said:

Is that proper full time AWD or one of those gimmicky electronic thingies that is 2WD most of the time and AWD when ECU decides it need traction?

Will be the haldex system so done through mechanical diff's, no doubt be some electronic control on it however but it is mostly mechanical.

The V40XC is AWD so just be that system.