Tough competition
Polestar takes aim at Tesla.
Volvo’s all-electric performance offshoot Polestar has revealed a car it is calling a Tesla Model 3 competitor; the Polestar 2.
The Polestar 2 packs two electric motors and a 78 kWh battery capacity that the company says will give it a range of around
500 kilometres.
Based on Volvo’s adaptable Compact Modular Architecture platform (CMA), the Polestar 2’s
27-module battery pack is integrated into the floor and contributes to the rigidity of the chassis as well as improves the car’s noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels – Polestar says road noise has been reduced by 3.7 dB compared to a traditional chassis.
With one electric motor at the front and another at the rear, the all-wheel drive electric powertrain produces 300kW and 660Nm.
Polestar claims a 0-100 kmh acceleration time of less than
5 seconds.
The standard chassis can be enhanced by a Performance Pack that adds Ohlins dampers, Brembo brakes and unique
20-inch forged alloy wheels. ‘‘Polestar 2 is our first fully electric car and first volume model,’’ said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar’s chief executive.
‘‘Everything about it has been designed and engineered with passion and dedication.
‘‘As an electric performance brand, and through the forthcoming launch of a portfolio of fully electric cars, Polestar is determined to address the world’s air quality challenges. Polestar delivers electric performance cars that are great to own and drive,’’ Ingenlath said.
The Polestar 2 is also one of the first cars in the world to embed an infotainment system powered by Android.
Polestar says the Android backbone provides a ‘‘solid and adaptable digital environment for apps and vehicle functions to coexist’’.
The system brings embedded Google services to a car for the first time, including Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store, all on a large 11-inch touchscreen that dominates the dash.
As with all Polestar cars, the Polestar 2 will only be available for ordering online, with a ‘‘guide purchase price’’ for the launch version being €59,900 (NZ$99,590) and subscription pricing to follow at a later date.
The launch version will be available for the first 12 months, after which a lower-powered entry version will follow, with a guide price of €39,900 (NZ$66,335).
Pre-orders are open at Polestar’s website and production will begin in early 2020 in China for global markets in both left- and right-hand drive.
Initial launch markets include China, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The company says that other markets are under consideration for future expansion.
Thomas Ingenlath Polestar’s chief executive. ‘‘Polestar 2 is our first fully electric car and first volume model. Everything about it has been designed and engineered with passion and dedication.’’