This is old news
Big deal, engine mod

 

I think what's very interesting is the fact the ECU map upgrade is supported by Volvo and doesnt adversely affect the warranty.

I'd like to look into this more but if anyone else knows please post but it would seem current legislation would allow Volvo to type approve (EU) or Federalise (US) a base vehicle such as the T6 and then offer a dealer installed software update, approved by Volvo from another supplier (Polestar, IPD, Heico) etc. That map can be approved and tested by Volvo but since it isnt original equipment from Volvo direct, the upgraded car isnt subject to new type approval. The current situation means that individuals can upgrade their cars to specs outside of emission standards. For example, IPD, MTE, Heico, Polestar etc are not obligated to demonstrate the compliance of their map to US or EU emission standards. If that were to change, it woud re-write the rules of that industry and the aftermarket tuning of any car. I believe only Norway has emissions rules strict enough to limit the aftermarket in this way.

Thus, Volvo like any other OEM can sell the base vehicle via their dealers, and customer can then upgrade to a Volvo approval aftermarket map. Makes the R line possible without Volvo needing to pay type approval etc.

However, I do think Volvo needs to simplify the aftermarket map support given that so far there is Heico and Polestar. Admittedly, Heico offer bodywork to go with but it would be best if Volvo were to support one name even if behind the scenes Polestar, Heico, MTE, IPD etc all work together.

 

The issue, I think, is more on a market-to-market level. For instance, the warranty coverage offered by Volvo of Germany is very different from that of Volvo of North America (I think Germany's warranty is MUCH shorter, IIRC, like 1 year or 12k miles or something like that). To the point, Volvo of North America doesn't want to take on the extra "risk" by covering modifications to factory equipment.

 

Hello

Thanks for the reply.

I see your point but the vehicle warranty is paid for by Volvo and in Europe is 3 years. Certain markets outside of Europe have two year warranties. Without getting into the nitty gritty, Volvo's warranty is supervised locally by each market but ultimately paid for by Volvo HQ in Sweden. A difference is the 5 year warranty in the US which maybe a local incentive paid for/funded by Volvo VCNA. Or it too could be centrally funded as a boost to the US market by Volvo HQ.

Volvo Cars Powertrain would have verified and tested these new maps, as they did for Polestar before giving warranty/product liability approval.

I think the loophole in the law for type approval for aftermarket maps makes for an interesting route to market for an OEM whilst avoiding those models being counted in CAFE or EU regulations.

So whilst the V70R can't be included in a Volvo brochure etc, dealer could stock and sell "ABC" mapping upgrades to V70s which also come with maps approved by Volvo. The extra cost, potential Volvo approved bodykits and other alloys would match (or more likely beat) the increased list price of an R model. A consolidated effort of one brand (Evolve was a very good name) could make this happen. Better still, one of these aftermarket companies calls their upgrade the "R".

If one of these aftermarke companies can produce a 350bhp T6 map, the Doug Speak gets his product wishlist of a 350bhp R model as per a recent interview. Volvo also circumvents Federal or EU type approval.

 

Heico has already developed a 350bhp map, albeit based on E85 for the S80 HPC from 2007

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