Volvo V40 Carbon is the first model to get the new Polestar Performance Optimisation.
Just 343 V40 Carbon models will be produced, available only in Finland, France, Japan, the Netherlands and Sweden.
The V40 Carbon will be offered with an updated T5 engine producing 253bhp and 400Nm of torque and an updated D4 engine producing 200bhp and 440Nm of torque.
The idea behind V40 Carbon is to use the same development philosophy as when optimising race cars.
The Polestar optimisation has been designed to provide the driver with faster and more exact responses to commands.
Five important performance areas of the drivetrain that got the main attention are:
-Throttle response
-Gearshift speed
-Gearshift precision and hold
-Off-throttle response
-Engine performance
Visually the V40 Carbon as the name already hints, features exclusive carbon details like a carbon fibre roof, carbon fibre mirror caps, unique 19-inch wheels, black accents and black tailpipes. Interior changes re modest and boast red seat belts, carbon fibre sill plates and an extensive equipment package.
Surprisingly the V40 Carbon is also available in Japan as a right-hand drive vehicle making us ask why the hot hatch is not offered here in UK.