For now the hottest version of the Volvo V40 that you can buy (not in our country) is the V40 T5 R-Design. It comes with a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine producing a respectable 187kW. Power is sent through a conventional six-speed auto with front-wheel drive. Polestar doesn’t currently offer a factory tune for this model, despite offering such service with the S60/V60 and XC60 R-Design models.
A new Polestar version could use the company’s recently announced all new turbocharged 2-liter engine which will debut in the upcoming XC90 SUV.
In the XC90 this engine has an output that peaks at 235kW. With this engine shoehorned under the bonnet of thecompact V40, which is loosely based on the previous Ford Focus platform, we could see 0-100km/h times drop from 6.7 seconds to and impressive 5.0 seconds which puts this performance Volvo hot hatch in the same segment as the VW Golf R and the Mercedes A45 AMG.
Although the 2.5-litre turbo is capable of producing similar figures as the prvious Focus RS, using such an engine would not fall in line with Volvo’s plans to introduce small-capacity four-cylinder engines into all of its lineup. The new 2.0-litre turbo and supercharged engine is expected to find its way under many showroom models, including the confirmed 2015 XC90 T6 variant where it will offer 235kW and 400Nm. We’ve all been waiting for Volvo’s next Polestar product and it looks like it could take the form of a hot hatch. Like the S60 Polestar, a V40 version would likely come with Brembo brakes, Ohlins suspension and a number of discreet interior and exterior enhancements. If it all comes to fruition, the other main question will be will Volvo stick with front-wheel drive or go for the Haldex all-wheel drive system as seen on the V40 Cross Country? We’ll keep you updated as the news arrives.
