Software tuning. I believe you can buy a polestar tune to get the same output, or close to the same output.

 

The R-Design figures I posted are AFTER the tune.

 

I didnt think the R Design had the Twin Scroll - I thought i heard in a video that this was the key difference.

 

The T6 standard engine (R-design included) has a Twin Scroll:

http://wardsauto.com/news-analysis/targeting-bmw-volvo-i-6-turbo-world-class-all-fronts

 

Am I missing something...

Are they not essentially the same 3.0L twin scroll engine? So why are the R-Designs (polestar-tuned) spitting out "only" 325 hp / 355 lb-ft vs Polestar 345 hp / 369 lb-ft?

What are the other factors creating such a wide delta?

Educate my dumb-ass please :-D

I'm trying to read up on the engines but I can't find something that sticks out.

Polestar models have the same 3.0L I6 engine, but they have a larger turbo, larger intercooler, Ferrita cat-back exhaust and different ECU tune as well as a different AWD tuning.

 

+1

 

I think that's assuming assuming too much by only looking at peak numbers. If you viewed the dynographs side by side I'd guess (assume) the P* has a totally different powerband based on that turbo alone.

 

The transmission is also at its rated torque limits (and surpassed with the r-design
tune and more so with the Polestar) according to this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AWTF-80_SC

I'm going to assume it is beefed up a bit over what they say is max torque (325 ft-lb) in
the Wiki page. Torque might also be limited in 1st and 2nd gears or lower RPM, etc. to deal
with this. But still, the transmission seems to be a limiting factor. Warranty's, and
what not.

 

Will do. Had an Audi S6 Avant years ago which had about the same power (but not torque) and weight. Pretty advanced for its time but driveline was still front biased and to get the handling the suspension was punishing - did side-hops on tar strips.
Presume your multi-baffle exhaust is mainly to get the sound without the drone, and is not feasible to retrofit. [emoji853]
One thing I can tell you already about the newer Haldex is that it is an absolute hoot in the snow. Where I used to do graceful wide drifts in my VR, now I can do quick, snow-spewing donuts.
P.S.: The big advance in generation III Haldex in my VR was clutch pre-load for launch. Besides torque vectoring (which is mainly good communication between the ABS and differential clutch) the latest Haldex must be programmable to to maintain that rear clutch bias after launch (e.g., for low-intervention handling).

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I had a 2014 RD. I put about 10k on it. It was a good car and I enjoyed it. I traded it for a 2015 P*. The cars are similar, most of the parts are the same. But the upgraded parts make a big difference to me. I guess much of it has to do with the suspension. The Brembo's are amazing and the exhaust note is great. This will also be the better platform to further tweak and tune in the future. The compromise is the transmission, but it's not too bad.

 

Yeah I'm curious about this future Haldex software upgrade too!!

 

Bumping this thread as it kinda died. Where did this land? Looking over the Volvo P* page at upgrades I can't see anything about software for the transmission.

 

I think the 3.0L ship has sailed. I can not see Volvo investing any money in developing updated trans software for the 6 cylinder. They've got their hands full with new stuff coming online.

 

Yes next focus is Polestar hybrid/full electric.... bring it on!


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Yes next focus is Polestar hybrid/full electric.... bring it on!

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I like the hybrid (would like it better with a 6 cylinder) but no thanks on the all electric quiet whining appliance. I have the need to feel, to hear, to pollute!

 

Yeah, have a ‘16 V60RD 3.0, which works just fine for a dinosaur-juice-burning Volvo.
Next car, rather than a fifth Volvo, is likely the Tesla Model III I have on order (if and when it ever materializes). Only bad thing I have heard in initial reviews is it doesn’t have ANY buttons or switches, which means two levels of menu to activate the wipers (!)


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I drove the 3.0L RD and P* back to back and to me it was like the difference between a Golf R and GTI. Bigger tbo might mean more pwr but also = more tbo lag = less fun flicking around local streets on an everyday basis. This combined with all the chassis, suspension and brakes = good for track and spirited hills drives but couldn't see the value in it around town where most of the driving is done. I always preferred the Gti over the R for the same reason. Happy with my RD : )

 

Having driven a V60 P* for over 3 years, I can tell you it's a great daily driver. People who talk about the power difference between the P* and RD miss the whole point of the car. The big difference comes in the Suspension, brakes and Haldex tuning. Ohlins, Brembos and a standard 50/50 power bias make it a completely different car. If I'm just driving around town, I get your point, but then why buy a performance car at all. I luckily live in an area surrounded by great roads and belong to a Volvo club full of people that love to drive them.

 

I agree with you that the haldex controller is a huge factor and is certainly one area that the RD could benefit from. I had an R32 golf and upgraded the haldex and twas night n day, one thing I didn't realize was that is also works on deceleration! Of course I would have a P* over and RD if there was a use for it but unfortunately I live in an overpopulated city of over $4mil and even the 6 lane freeways are congested most of the time. I did notice more tbo lag with the P* than with the RD which means that to really enjoy it you're breaking the speed limit constantly.

 

The Haldex tuning really makes it feel like a different car. You get to feel the difference right in the P* because it's only activated with the ESC OFF. With it ON, it feels heavy and just wants to understeer into every turn. Once you turn ESC OFF, it lightens up on its feet and the understeer disappears.

I don't feel any issue with turbo lag but I also have an issue with speeding tickets, so there's that. I managed to get them back when I lived in the congested metropolis of 11MM+ of NYC/LI and continue to get them in the congested Bay Area where we at least have enjoyable roads.

 

Didn't the RD get the same 50/50 split via a SW update a while back?

 

No. It's unique to the P*'s. It's the difference between P* Engineered and P* optimizations.

 

Annoying really (for us RD owners that is). VAG owners can upgrade with this.

http://www.hpamotorsports.com/product_haldex.html

 

I mean if even a hint of what HPA is capable of with VW was possible with the S/V60 it would be a completely different car. The reality is that there is just a lot larger market for VW so more money is spent for aftermarket solutions. Volvo doesn't like to play nice with the aftermarket companies either which makes things even more difficult. As far as VW, it's not like they are allowing overlap for their cars either. You don't see an AWD GTI despite the power numbers continuing to climb. If you want an AWD Golf, you have to go for the Golf R.