Volvo and Polestar offer post-sale software upgrades

Volvo's performance arm, Polestar, will offer software upgrades for the T6 and 2.5T engines that will increase horsepower and torque. The upgrade should calm Volvo fans who missed out on the limited-edition Polestar C30.

For the T6 engine in the 2010 Volvo XC60 and 2009-2010 XC70 Polestar will offer a bump in output from 281 hp to 311 hp. Torque grows from 295 lb-ft to 354 lb-ft.

For the turbocharged 2.5-liter, power grows from 208 hp to 237 hp and torque increases by 37 to a total of 273 lb-ft. The turbocharged 2.5-liter is found in older versions of the Volvo S60, S80, V70 and the XC line. The T6 upgrade costs $1,495 while the 2.5 upgrade costs $1,295.

The software upgrade is standard on current Volvo XC60 and S60 R-Design cars, the C30 Polestar and the C70 Inscription. It's available as an option on almost all of the current T5- and T6-equipped cars.

Go to www.volvocars.com or www.polestar.se for more information.

By Jake Lingeman