What is the purpose of flashing Polestar on a Volvo?
2 Answers
Polestar is the performance brand under Volvo, and Polestar provides original factory power upgrade programs. Flashing Polestar essentially means installing the Polestar program. After the program is flashed, the engine's power will increase, but fuel consumption will also rise accordingly, which is a normal phenomenon. Note that only turbocharged engines can have their power increased by flashing programs. More details are as follows: 1. Turbocharged engines: Turbocharged engines can increase power by adjusting the turbo pressure and fuel injection volume. Increasing turbo pressure also increases the car's air intake. Naturally aspirated engines cannot increase air intake through programming, but they can increase fuel injection volume. If only the fuel injection volume is increased, it will result in an overly rich air-fuel mixture, which can affect the engine's normal operation. Therefore, naturally aspirated engines cannot increase power by flashing programs. 2. Twin-charged engines: All Volvo models use turbocharged engines and twin-charged engines. Volvo's twin-charged engines feature both turbocharging and supercharging. Twin-charged engines can select different charging methods under different operating conditions, thereby improving engine power and efficiency. Twin-charged engines can deliver greater power with lower displacement and fuel consumption. However, only Volvo's high-end models are equipped with twin-charged engines.
After driving my Volvo for two years, I had the Polestar optimization installed, and the most noticeable change was the complete transformation in the car's character. The increased torque means the car leaps forward with just a light press of the throttle, making overtaking incredibly confident. The gear shifts became crisper and more decisive, especially in Sport mode where the rev needle barely hesitates. Fuel consumption does increase slightly by about 0.5 liters, but in return, you get a smarter power distribution logic that actually makes cruising smoother. The electronic power steering is also optimized, making turns feel like someone’s assisting you at the wheel, creating a sense of perfect harmony between driver and car. What surprised me most was how the program fully retains all safety systems—the automatic braking function actually responds even faster now.
