If logo-free handbags, well-cut suits, and classic ballet flats define quiet luxury in fashion, then the automotive equivalent would be the Polestar 2.
Quiet luxury is a lifestyle that has been gaining traction among the well-heeled. It is about embracing less ostentatious displays of wealth and it reflects a more discerning and refined taste.
And this would seem like a lifestyle where Polestar 2 fits in perfectly.
On the exterior, you will not find contrasting emblems, chrome accents or any of the usual flashy trappings. Instead, you get body-coloured insignias, gloss black trims and frameless wing mirrors.
Even the black grille has made way for a body-coloured panel since the facelift. This understated design language is a refreshing approach. It makes its presence felt without having to shout.
Yet, it is not without its bold and distinctive elements, from the Thor’s hammer daytime running lights to the full LED continuous rear light blade. The car is beautifully proportioned and sports an elongated fastback silhouette.
Looking at its planted and low-slung stature, one cannot help but be reminded of Polestar’s racing heritage.
SWEDISH SIMPLICITY
This unpretentiousness continues inside the cockpit. The almost monochromatic, charcoal and black ash colour palette exudes a nonchalant air of restraint. The vegan upholstery is a PVC-based leather alternative, while the dashboard fascia trim is made of reconstructed wood that has been stained black to accentuate the organic beauty and tactile quality of the natural wood grains.
More importantly, they offer visual clues that reflect the Swedish carmaker’s holistic approach to climate-neutral mobility.
The cabin space is borderline adequate and rear knee and headroom are comfortable. The panoramic roof that extends over the front and rear seats goes a long way in enhancing the feeling of spaciousness inside the car.
The subtle Polestar logo discreetly positioned on the glass roof just above the cabin light cluster is just another stroke of quiet luxury genius.
Inside the Polestar 2, everything feels just right. Even the signal indicator emits a muted, metronome-like click instead of the usual jarring clacks. Nothing is overdone or contrived, nothing appears as if it is trying too hard. It truly embodies the Swedish concept of Lagom.
Contributing to this sense of well-being is a whole suite of practical features because at the end of the day, it is about making life on the road more effortless.
Get in, foot on the brake pedal, engage Drive and you are good to go. And when you arrive at your destination, put the car in Park and you are done. Dispensing with the ubiquitous Start/Stop button just makes so much sense once you have experienced it.
The inductive charge pad makes for a great place to stash your mobile phone and other small items. Two additional pockets on either side of the centre console are tiny, but still extra storage compartments, nevertheless.
My greatest bugbear is the location of the cupholders. There are two of them- one further down the centre console from the gear selector lever, and one hidden inside the armrest. I almost inevitably hit my elbow or arm against my mug or flask in either cupholder when maneuvering the steering wheel.
Often, it is the smallest things that make a huge difference. In this case, it is the little hook that flips out from the glove compartment, which comes in so handy for hanging that cup of bubble tea or that packet of char kway teow takeout.
It doesn’t just end there. A panel that flips up from the boot floor with a built-in elastic strap is the answer to securing shopping bags so that they do not slide all over the place.
The infotainment and equipment are integrated into the car in such a way that makes things more convenient without overwhelming you with tech. The tablet-like 11.2-inch touchscreen display runs on an Android operating system with built-in Google features that are familiar, intuitive and easy to use.
MORE ELECTRIFYING PERFORMANCE
Compared to its single motor predecessor, the latest model is quicker and more powerful- 41 more horsepower, 160Nm more torque and a whole second faster in the century sprint.
These improved numbers are nothing short of impressive on paper, but how is it behind the wheel?
Having driven my fair share of EVs, I have experienced the brain-stunning, eyeball-squashing and tongue-swallowing acceleration made possible by their instantaneous torque.
Compared to the more powerful performance models, including the dual motor Polestar 2, the single motor variant does appear just a tad anemic, especially when going full throttle on the straight.
However, this is admittedly an unfair comparison. Evaluated on its own merits, the single motor is still more than adequately quick on the get-go and does not exhibit the slightest hint of sluggishness or tarmac-crunching reluctance.
Taken in context with its kerb weight of just over two tonnes, it becomes quite a feat how it has managed to mask its heft so well.
The adage “Speed is nothing without control” can be aptly used to describe the Polestar 2. Its body control is remarkable. It feels agile and nimble and stays taut around fast corners.
Handling has also been significantly improved with the switch from front- to rear-wheel drive. It definitely feels more confident around that tight bend and a whole lot more fun and engaging to drive.
Progressive power steering contributes to this sense of sure-footedness as the steering feedback automatically adapts to driving speed. There is also the option to vary this manually between Light, Standard and Firm.
One pedal drive, a feature that is commonly found in EVs, offers different levels of regenerative braking. I found the Low setting most comfortable compared to Off and Standard.
TRAVELLING FURTHER
Range is one aspect of EVs that many people are most concerned about. The Standard Range Single Motor Polestar 2 boasts a pretty phenomenal range of 546km on paper, just 22km shy of its Long Range Dual Motor sibling.
However, based on the test drive that covered a distance of 194km, with the battery level depleting from 90% to 31%, the extrapolated real-world range works out to be about 329km. It is noteworthy that the range registered a reduction of 259km against the actual 194km distance travelled.
With some periods of idling and a fair amount of enthusiastic driving, the efficiency achieved over the duration of the drive was 19.4 kWh/100km compared against the published figure of 16.4 kWh/100km. Using a DC charger, the estimated charging time is just 34 minutes, perfect for a quick cup of coffee.
In the face of stiff competition amongst an ever- increasing number of EV contenders vying for a share of the consumer pie, perhaps the winning strategy lies not in who has the loudest voice, but with the candidate that wields the silent card.
After five iterations since it was first launched in Singapore, all things considered, including value-for-money based on the prevailing COE premium, this latest Standard Range Single Motor model could well be Polestar 2’s winning trump card.
Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor (A)
MOTORS Permanent magnet synchronous
MAX POWER 268hp (200kW)
MAX TORQUE 490Nm
POWER TO WEIGHT 134.7hp per tonne
GEARBOX Single-speed
0-100KM/H 6.4 seconds
TOP SPEED 205km/h
BATTERY 69kWh
RANGE 546km
CONSUMPTION 6.10km/kWh
PRICE INCL. COE From $259,000
AGENT Wearnes Automotive
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