Sing the SUV electric with the Polestar-optimized Volvo XC60

Polestar may have spun off from Volvo, but it's still lending a performance-oriented hand to the mothership.

The new Polestar-optimized 2018 XC60 starts with the T8 plug-in hybrid platform.

Its horsepower output is raised from 407 horsepower to 421.

Volvo made several tweaks to both the engine and transmission.

The transmission now shifts faster, and it holds its gear during high-g cornering.

The engine now produces more power and torque in the middle of the rev band.

That change will be best felt in everyday driving, and who doesn't want a bit more oomph there?

Polestar will also optimize other XC60 variants, including the D4 and D5 diesel models.

It's unclear if any Polestar-optimized XC60s will be coming to the US, though.

That said, given America's affinity for performance-oriented SUVs, I'd be surprised if it didn't come over.