Polestar 1
Volvo’s sporty sub-brand will make its debut with a 592bhp hybrid coupé that balances performance and sophistication On sale Summer 2019 Price from Subscription only
Hybrid luxury grand tourer uses Volvo tech
IF A CONVENTIONAL electric car, such as a Renault Zoe or Nissan Leaf, strikes you as a bit, well, tame, you might be excited to learn that Volvo’s performance sub-brand, Polestar, is launching its own range of electri ed performance models.
The rst of these will be the Polestar 1, a luxurious, 4.5-metre-long four-seat coupé that’s based on the same underpinnings as the Volvo S90 luxury saloon.
The 1 is powered by a pair of electric motors and a 2.0-litre petrol engine, all of which work together to produce 592bhp. It’s capable of travelling for up to 93 miles on electric power alone and drivers can prioritise either driving fun or power conservation with different driving modes.
Polestar has also given the 1 an innovative electronic suspension system, stiffer, lighter bodywork and a low centre of gravity in a bid to make it as engaging to drive as possible.
As you might expect, the 1’s interior is almost identical in layout to that of the S90, featuring the same large, tablet-style infotainment screen and digital instrument display. Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring and a range of other connected services will be standard.
While the 1 is a hybrid, all future Polestar models will be fully electric. Next up are a small saloon, the 2, to rival the upcoming Tesla Model 3, and a large SUV, the 3, that will take on the Jaguar I-pace and Tesla Model X.
It’s the SUV that’s expected to become Polestar’s biggest seller, but volumes are likely to remain small for the time being; just 500 examples of the 1 will be made per year, in left-hand drive only.
Rather than buying a Polestar outright, you’ll order it online and subscribe to the brand on a two or three-year basis. That subscription grants features such as servicing, including pick-up and delivery, and the option of renting alternative Volvo or Polestar models, depending on your needs.
Prices for this have yet to be announced, but they’re likely to be signi cantly more than a PCP nance deal, given the extra services included. If the 1 were to be sold outright, Polestar says it would cost around £116,000.
And for those who still want a physical sales experience, Polestar will also have a network of small showrooms around the UK.