GOTHENBURG/SHANGHAI: Polestar today introduced the Polestar 4, an electric performance SUV coupé and the second SUV in the brand’s line-up.
Design cues first seen on Polestar’s concept cars are brought to production in the fastest Polestar production car to date. Polestar 4 is positioned between Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 in terms of size and price.
Polestar 4 launches first in China, with production planned to begin in Hangzhou Bay, China, in November 2023. The state-of-the-art Geely-owned production facility operates on 100% renewable electricity.
A full-scale launch for other markets, including in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America is planned for early 2024 – with sales and production ramping up for these markets through the course of that year.
All details for these markets will be presented in 2024. Indicative launch pricing is from US$60,000 (RM266,000).
“With Polestar 4 we have taken a fundamental new approach to SUV coupé design. Rather than simply modifying an existing SUV, giving it a faster roofline and as a result, compromising elements like rear headroom and comfort, we have designed Polestar 4 from the ground up as a new breed of SUV coupé that celebrates rear occupant comfort and experience,” said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath.
Aerodynamic efficiency is enhanced by the low nose, retractable door handles, flush glazing with frameless windows, rear aero blades and air flow optimisation around the rear light bar.
As a design-driven brand, the design of Polestar 4 sees the continuation of key elements first shown by the Polestar Precept concept car, coming to life. This includes eliminating the rear window which enables a new kind of immersive rear occupant experience, and the separation of the dual blade front lights with unique Polestar light signature – complemented by the Polestar emblem with millimetre-precision lighting from below.
Built on the premium Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) developed by Geely Holding, Polestar 4 is a D-segment SUV coupé with a large body and long, 2,999 mm wheelbase.
Overall length is 4,839 mm, width is 2,139 mm and height is 1,544 mm. The resulting generous interior proportions are especially evident in the rear, where occupants are cocooned in an intimate environment, with reclining seats. Adjustable ambient lighting that adds an extra dimension to the interior, inspired by the solar system, allows the driver to customise the driving environment.
The standard full-length glass roof is available with optional electrochromic functionality, allowing for opaque or transparent execution depending on the mood. Thanks to the elimination of the rear window, the glass roof stretches beyond the rear occupants’ heads, creating a truly unique interior ambience.
A secondary media and climate control screen is mounted between the front seats to enable rear occupant control.
The rear-view mirror is replaced by a high-definition screen that shows a real-time feed from a roof-mounted rear camera – enabling a far wider field of view than what can be experienced in most modern cars. The digital feed can be deactivated to allow drivers to instead see rear occupants if needed.
The interior and its materials have been designed around the theme of “soft tech”, drawing inspiration from the fashion and sportswear industries. Colour and material choices for Polestar 4 explore new executions for Polestar – including new exterior colours Storm and Electron, and a unique new interior colour, Mist.
In Polestar 4, more circular and low-carbon materials replace traditional solutions. This includes measures for greater supply chain transparency, like blockchain traceability for risk materials in the batteries. A full lifecycle assessment (LCA), showing the true carbon footprint of the car, will be published alongside the Polestar 4 Product Sustainability Declaration in 2024.
A mono-material approach, first presented in the Polestar electric roadster concept in 2022, is applied to interior materials, where all layers of certain components are produced from the same base material. This allows them to be recycled more effectively and efficiently by eliminating the need for incompatible materials to be separated before recycling.
New interior materials include a tailored knit textile which consists of 100% recycled PET, along with bio-attributed MicroTech vinyl and animal welfare-secured Nappa leather upholsteries.
Inlay carpets in the interior are made using recycled PET and floor carpets are made using ECONYL, which includes reclaimed fishing nets.
MicroTech, first introduced in Polestar 3, is a bio-attributed vinyl that replaces crude oil with pine oil in its construction and features a recycled textile backing.
Polestar 4 is the fastest production car the brand has developed to date. The 0-100kph sprint can be completed in just 3.8 seconds and maximum power output is 400 kW (544 hp).
Motors are of a permanent magnet, synchronous design. Driving dynamics are true to the Polestar brand – sharp steering and handling responses result in a thrilling and nimble driving experience for all occupants.
Both dual- and single motor versions will be available, with single-motor versions featuring rear-wheel drive.
Semi-active suspension features in the dual-motor version for an additional layer of adjustment between comfort and performance dynamics. Wheels range from 20 to 22-inches in size, depending on the version, with tyres supplied by Pirelli and Michelin.
A 102 kWh battery is fitted to both long-range versions.
The Long range Dual motor features 400 kW (544 hp), 686 Nm and a preliminary range target of up to 560 km WLTP. A disconnect clutch allows the car to disengage the front electric motor when not needed, to maximise range and efficiency.
Up to 200 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging is included for all versions, and the charge lid is motorised.
Bi-directional charging is included, with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability at launch providing for external devices to draw power from Polestar 4.
A heat pump is fitted as standard, allowing the car to capitalise on ambient heat when preconditioning the cabin and battery.
A new drive optimisation function allows the driver to select between range or performance driving modes in the Long range Dual motor version.
Performance mode sharpens up responsiveness from the powertrain and engages both motors at all times for full power delivery and best performance. Range mode prioritises efficiency, adapting the powertrain to a calmer style and forces use of only the rear motor.
The Long range Single motor version features a 200 kW (272 hp) and 343 Nm motor at the rear and preliminary range target of up to 600 km WLTP.
In Polestar 4, the infotainment system powered by Android Automotive OS and the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform now utilises a 15.4-inch landscape-oriented screen.
With Google built-in, including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, Polestar continues to offer a leading connected experience. The close collaboration with Google allows Polestar to keep pushing the boundaries of the system.
A Harman Kardon audio system is available as an option with 12 speakers and 1,400-Watt channel-hybrid amplifier. An additional two headrest speakers are added to each front seat with the optional Nappa Pack– raising the total to 16. Naturally, Apple CarPlay is included.
As with all other Polestar cars, regular over-the-air (OTA) updates allow for new features and improvements to be sent remotely to all vehicles, removing the need to visit a workshop to gain the latest software.
Polestar 4 features leading safety technology inside and out. Up to nine airbags are included. New partnerships bring intelligent safety technology to the fore, including the SuperVision Advanced Driver Assistance System from Mobileye.
A total of 12 cameras, one radar and 12 ultrasonic sensors are fitted as standard.
This includes a driver monitoring camera, which only relays data and does not record video, to monitor the driver’s eyes and head movements to help avoid incidents related to fatigue or incapacitation.
Together with hands-on detection in the steering wheel, the driver monitoring system helps to keep the driver actively engaged in driving, as required.
A 10.2-inch driver display is mounted ahead of the steering column and includes speed, battery and range information. When engaged by various assistance systems, a virtual environment can show other road users, current driving assistance functions and navigation information.
To reduce distraction, a head-up display (HUD) with 14.7-inch projection area in front of the driver relays key vehicle, telephony and navigation information to the windscreen, further improving driver attentiveness.
A clever “snow mode” function for the HUD switches the text colour from white to yellow, improving visibility in snowy environments.
The optional Pilot Pack includes enhanced Pilot Assist with lane change assistance, initiated by the driver tapping the indicator stalk in the desired direction.
Standard vehicle specification is high, with additional packages tailored to adding specific options that enhance overall enjoyment.
The Plus Pack comprises comfort and technology upgrades, with the Plus Pro Pack adding a colour-coded body execution, the electrochromic glass roof and additional interior illumination.
The Nappa Pack can be specified in addition to the Plus Pack, and includes animal welfare-secured Nappa leather upholstery with ventilation, massage and additional headrest speakers for the front seats.
The Pilot Pack includes Pilot Assist and its extended features.
The Performance Pack increases the performance look and driving experience of the Long range Dual motor version, with 22-inch wheels, 4-piston Brembo brakes, Polestar Engineered performance chassis tuning and Swedish gold details for the brakes, seat belts and valve caps.
Keyword: Polestar 4 SUV coupe steps forward in Shanghai