Welcome, everyone, to the Polestar 2, a fastback from Volvo’s all-electric sub-brand muscling in on the performance EV scene.
Their first mass-market offering, the Polestar 2 follows in the footsteps of the Polestar 1, a low-volume production hybrid with 600hp.
All eyes, however, are on the Polestar 2, the guiding light for Volvo’s future range of electrified vehicles.
It’s aimed squarely at the Tesla Model 3, with prices starting at 39,900 euros (S$61,300). The ‘launch edition’ of the Polestar 2 will go for 59,900 euros.
What is the Polestar 2?
Regardless of which one you choose, you get a performance car which can sprint to 100km/h in less than 5 seconds courtesy of two electric motors doling out 408hp and 660Nm of torque.
Sporting a five-door fastback design, the Polestar 2 houses a 78kWh battery (72kWh in China), estimated to give about 500km of range.
That’s broadly on par with the Model 3, which starts at 30,591 euros for 424km of range and a 5.6s 0-100km/h time and goes up to 36,733 euros for the Long Range version with 500km of range and 4.5s 0-100km/h time.
“Polestar 2 is our first fully electric car and first volume model. Everything about it has been designed and engineered with passion and dedication,” said Polestar’s chief executive Thomas Ingenlath.
Through the upcoming launch of a portfolio of fully electric cars, Polestar wants to “address the world’s air quality challenges”, Mr Ingenlath added.
The Polestar 2 rides on Volvo Car Group’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, jointly developed by Volvo and parent Geely and shared with the XC40 and models from sub-brand Lynk & Co.
The 27-module battery pack is integrated into the floor, which contributes to chassis rigidity and is said to improve the car’s noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels.
Polestar claims road noise has been reduced by 3.7 dB compared to a traditional chassis.
The Polestar 2 will come with plenty of options, among them the Performance Pack which improves driving dynamics with Öhlins dampers, Brembo brakes and 20-inch forged wheels.
Polestar’s signature gold seat belts, brake calipers and valve caps complete the performance visuals.
Polestar 2: Powered by Android
In a world-first, the Polestar 2 will be powered by Google’s Android operating system.
The Android backbone provides a “solid and adaptable digital environment” for apps and vehicle functions, Volvo says.
Google’s Android operating system will power the Polestar 2.
Using Android brings embedded Google services to the car, which includes the Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store.
Natural voice control and a new 11-inch touch screen display complete the in-car tech.
The Polestar 2 will debut in March at the Geneva motor show and commence production in China in early next year. Pre-orders are open now.
Initial launch markets include China, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK, while other markets are “under consideration” for future expansion.
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