Electric fastback scores new batteries and motors, more power, range and gear, and switches to rear-wheel drive
The Polestar 2 mid-size electric fastback crossover will bring significantly more power, range and standard equipment, plus a drivetrain configuration change for single-motor variants, for the 2024 model year.
Due to arrive Down Under by September, the substantial overhaul will see every 2024 Polestar 2 bring an upgraded lithium-ion battery and new electric motor/s, adding up to 105km of driving range depending on the variant.
Starting from the bottom of the range and working upwards, the entry-level Standard Range will continue to make do with a 69kWh battery pack but it features revised chemistry and is now supplied by LG Chem.
Combined with a new 200kW/490Nm electric motor – which is now mounted to the rear axle rather than up front – yields an effective driving range of up to 518km, marking improvements of 30kW, 160Nm and 40km respectively.
All this extra shove has slashed the cheapest Polestar 2’s claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time by a second, from 7.4 to 6.4sec.
It’s a similar story with the single-motor Long Range, except that it and all the variants above it feature an all new 82kWh battery pack.
This Polestar 2 is claimed to cover up to 635km (+84km) on a single charge and now packs 220kW/490Nm (+50kW/160Nm), launching it to 100km/h in a claimed 6.2sec.
If it’s Tesla-baiting performance you want then you’ll likely be looking at the Long Range dual-motor version and its new rear-biased drivetrain that chucks out 310kW/740Nm (+10kW/80Nm).
Zero-100km/h will take just 4.5 seconds in this guise, but the optional Performance Pack will slash that figure down to a claimed 4.2sec thanks to its extra 20kW.
Performance Pack or not, the Long Range dual-motor is claimed to cover up to 592km on a single charge – a portfolio-leading improvement of 105km thanks to its front motor disconnect function.
Along with extended driving ranges, all variants also bring a marked increase in DC fast-charging capabilities thanks to the battery cell chemistries, with the Standard Range now able to be charged at up to 135kW (up from 130kW).
Long Range versions meanwhile enjoy a 50kW bump in charging capabilities to 205kW, which drastically reduces their 10-80 per cent charge times.
Polestar fans will be able to spot the difference between the new MY24 Polestar 2s and the existing line-up by their new ‘SmartZone’ front grilles and the refreshed alloy wheel design of the Performance Pack.
The mechanical and cosmetic upgrades are joined by the standard inclusion of Polestar’s blind spot information system with steering support, cross traffic alert with brake support and rear collision warning and mitigation, plus a 360-degree camera, auto-dimming exterior mirrors and wireless phone charger for all variants.
Polestar Australia says it will announce pricing when order books open before first local deliveries of the 2024 Polestar 2 take place in the third quarter of this year.
However, judging by the price hikes announced in the UK – where the base single-motor Standard Range variant has increased by 1800 pounds from GBP43,150 to GBP44,950 – the upgraded Polestar 2 will be more expensive in Australia too.
That means the MY24 Polestar 2, which is currently priced from $63,900 plus on-road costs, could well leapfrog the Tesla Model 3 sedan (from $65,500), but at least it will match its rear-drive layout.
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Keyword: Major overhaul for 2024 Polestar 2 range