Currently reading: 402bhp Polestar 2 fastback to arrive in July
Production of Polestar’s Tesla Model 3 rival, which promises a 311-mile range, has started in China, ahead of deliveries this summer

Production of Polestar's second production model, the 2, has begun in Luqiao, China ahead of first deliveries in summer. 

Priced from £49,900, the 2 is the more attainable sibling of the far pricier Polestar 1, the genesis of the electric performance brand that has been separated from Volvo. Following its European arrival, it will go on sale in China and North America.

The Luqiao plant, south of Shanghai, is owned by Geely and operated by Volvo and already builds Volvo XC40s for the Chinese market as well as the Lynk & Co 01, all of which sit on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform. The Polestar 2 is the first electric vehicle to be built at the facility.

The new model, described as the “first electric car to compete in the marketplace around the Tesla Model 3”, is a five-door fastback that takes design inspiration from Volvo models such as the Volvo S90. It was first displayed at last year's Geneva motor show and subsequently at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Polestar will sell models online only. UK reservations are being taken on its website, with a £1000 fully refundable deposit. Firm orders can be placed now, with first deliveries expected in July. The £49,900 on-the-road price includes routine servicing and maintenance for three years, plus VAT. 

The first 12 months of production will be dedicated to a fully loaded launch edition. Polestar had previously indicated a cost of around £51,000 for that model and suggested subsequent base models would have a "guide price" of around £34,500, similar to the Model 3.

It has two electric motors, mounted across both axles for four-wheel drive, and a 27-module, 78kWh battery pack integrated into the floor. Polestar claimed the pack contributes to chassis rigidity and helps reduce road noise by 3.7dB compared with a traditional chassis. 

Polestar 2 011

The powertrain produces 402bhp and 487lb ft of torque, translating to a 0-62mph time of “less than five seconds”. It’s not clear yet if cheaper variants will receive a detuned version. The range "target" is quoted at 311 miles on the new, tougher WLTP cycle – a figure highly competitive alongside the Model 3 and Jaguar I-Pace.

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The interior also takes inspiration from current Volvo models, but it features bespoke technology, including a new Android-powered infotainment system. One of the first cars on sale with this operating system, the 2's Android set-up “provides a solid and adaptable digital environment for apps and vehicle functions to coexist”, according to Polestar.

It brings with it a suite of Google services, including the Google Assistant, Google Maps with EV-specific features and the Google Play Store, all controlled via a new 11.0in touchscreen. Further tech, such as numerous connected services and the facility to use your smartphone as a car key, also features. As with Volvo's models, safety features such as Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving, LED matrix adaptive high-beam lights and automatic emergency braking are available.

The 2 also follows the latest trend by having as standard a vegan interior, which, according to head of design Maximilian Missoni, has “progressive textiles that will appeal to the forward-thinking audience who will subscribe to Polestar 2”. 

Read more

First Polestar 1 prototypes seen ahead of summer deliveries

Safe in their hands: talking to Volvo's design team

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Technomad 3 October 2019

Drivetrain Tech…

It's a nice looking car and I did consider it, but I see no indication yet that Volvo has any better battery/drivetrain tech than its other legacy competitors - in making my buying decision, I've discovered that Tesla's tech is at least 4-5 years ahead of the rest of the industry. 

stavers 4 October 2019

Technomad wrote:

Technomad wrote:

It's a nice looking car and I did consider it, but I see no indication yet that Volvo has any better battery/drivetrain tech than its other legacy competitors - in making my buying decision, I've discovered that Tesla's tech is at least 4-5 years ahead of the rest of the industry. 

I'm not sure it's quite that far ahead any more.  They do have some very neat & clever integration solutions I must say but the base motor / battery technology is broadly the same wherever you look.

 

The biggest issue with Tesla is that whilst the tech might be slightly more advanced, the interiors are about 20 years behind everyone else - especially with materials and fit / finish quality.

pist0nbr0ke 3 October 2019

Looks a bit familiar from the side...

...has shades of Saab 9000/9-5 about it, in a good way.
ZenBass 3 October 2019

Room for the Dogs ??

Not with that rear roofline/rear window arrangement (I have 2 X GSD's)

Was quite excited about this EV although I'd heard bout it I hadn't actually seen any photos/drawing , now its struck off the list of potential *Next Car*

Shame :(