Skip advert
Advertisement

402bhp Polestar 2 enters production ahead of summer deliveries 

Production is now under way for Polestar’s answer to the Tesla Model 3 

Polestar's second all-new model, the aptly named Polestar 2, is an all-electric, compact executive-sized mainstream model from the Swedish performance off-shoot of Volvo. Polestar wants the 2 not only to rival the Tesla Model 3, but also to set the cat among the current compact executive class pigeons. The high-spec First Edition's £49,900 starting price is a little high given the Tesla's sub-£40,000 price tag, but with an estimated range of over 300 miles, the Polestar 2 has the numbers to back up these lofty ambitions. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Despite the current situation, the brand recently announced that production of the model had begun in its Chinese facility, ahead of first deliveries in Europe this summer. Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said: ‘We start production now under these challenging circumstances, with a strong focus on the health and safety of our people. This is a great achievement and the result of huge efforts from the staff in the factory and the team securing the supply chain.’

> Click here for our review of the Tesla Model S

The Polestar 2 is powered by two electric motors fed from a 78kWh lithium-ion battery pack that helps achieve the projected 310-mile range figure. Power stands at 402bhp, with a chunky 487lb ft of torque available right from the off, as per most electric motors. Polestar quotes a 0-62mph time of under 5 seconds. With such a large battery pack and tall-ish ride height, we suspect the as yet unconfirmed weight figure to be a hefty number.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Polestar 2 sits on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture, the one that also underpins the Volvo XC40 SUV and will soon spread to more Polestar and Volvo models that sit below those based on the larger SPA platform - like the Volvo S90 and V90. With Polestar’s positioning as the electric and performance brand within Volvo owner Geely’s stable, we hope that a sense of fun has been engineered into the Polestar 2 package. Even if the car’s slightly odd semi-lifted ride height suggests this might not be the case.

For those wanting the best in handling from their Polestar 2 the company will offer a set of chassis upgrades too. The Performance Pack that Polestar says improves driving dynamics consists of Öhlins dampers, Brembo brakes and unique 20-inch forged alloy wheels. Polestar’s signature gold seat belts, brake calipers and valve caps complete the performance visual upgrade.

Advertisement - Article continues below

However, as well as majoring on performance this new Polestar 2 is also about design, user interface and technology, and on these fronts the manufacturer has not held back. We’ll let you assess whether the lifted ‘fastback’ profile works, but the crisp detailing, clever surfacing and use of simple graphics make the Tesla Model 3 look blobby and traditional compact executives like the BMW 3-series seem distinctly old-fashioned.

> Click here for our review of the new BMW 330i

The interior has also been totally reimagined, with a sleek understated cabin dominated by a new 11-inch next-generation infotainment screen that now sits proud of the main dash. The design is not quite as minimalist as that inside the Model 3, but thanks to Volvo’s habitual innovation in ergonomic design, the Polestar is likely to be a step up in terms of quality and ease of use. The infotainment system is also the first to be developed by Google’s smartphone juggernaut Android, Polestar aiming to lean on its expertise in terms of  interface design.

Polestar will launch with the First Edition model in these images, priced at £49,900, a generous amount more than the entry-level Polestar 2 variants that will follow on next year. The Performance Pack can be equipped for £5000, adding 4-piston Brembo brakes (front), adjustable Ohlins dampers, 20" forged wheels and gold details. Whether the headline-grabbing £40k entry-level models will have the same battery and performance figures is still as yet unconfirmed. Production will begin early next year, with deliveries beginning in June. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Jaguar releases a teaser of its bold new GT concept
Jaguar Design Vision Concept teaser
News

Jaguar releases a teaser of its bold new GT concept

Jaguar's controversial rebrand will begin with a four-door Porsche Taycan-rivalling GT, and this teaser gives us a first glimpse at its design
21 Nov 2024
The new Porsche Taycan GTS is a battery-powered BMW M5 rival
Porsche Taycan GTS – front
News

The new Porsche Taycan GTS is a battery-powered BMW M5 rival

The new Taycan GTS is lighter than the new M5 and almost as powerful – and you can have it as an estate
12 Nov 2024
Bentley has delayed its plan to go fully electric, but its first EV is on target for 2026
Bentley electric SUV
News

Bentley has delayed its plan to go fully electric, but its first EV is on target for 2026

Bentley is on course to launch its first EV in 2026, but its goal to become fully electric has been pushed back to 2035
8 Nov 2024
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance 2025 review – an electric Golf GTI? 
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX
Reviews

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance 2025 review – an electric Golf GTI? 

The GTX badge has been applied to the ID.3 in efforts to bring a sharper drive to Volkswagen’s smallest EV. We find out if it’s pulled it off
7 Nov 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Focus ST Edition 2025 review – a worthy alternative to the Honda Civic Type R?
Ford Focus ST Edition
Reviews

Ford Focus ST Edition 2025 review – a worthy alternative to the Honda Civic Type R?

A suite of upgrades sharpen the Ford Focus ST's already-capable formula, making it more engaging than ever
22 Nov 2024
Powerflex Mini V8 2025 review – driving a BMW M3-powered hatch
Powerflex Mini V8
Reviews

Powerflex Mini V8 2025 review – driving a BMW M3-powered hatch

You haven’t seen a Mini dance like this before, but then you haven’t seen a Mini with a 4-litre M Power V8 under the bonnet and rear-wheel drive. Intr…
22 Nov 2024
The Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS makes more downforce than a McLaren P1
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Manthey Kit front
News

The Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RS makes more downforce than a McLaren P1

The Manthey-fettled GT3 RS promises incredible track performance, but there’s no Nürburgring time… yet
22 Nov 2024