Polestar and electric boat builder Candela have announced their latest collaboration, introducing the Candela C-8 Polestar edition. It merges Polestar’s luxury EV design with Candela’s hydrofoil technology and deepens the ties between the Swedish companies.
The Candela C-8 Polestar edition design features include a solid light grey colour, specially designed seat upholstery, and hydrofoils painted in Swedish gold. Said hydrofoils are iconic also for Candela and rely on computer guidance to lift the hull above the water at high speeds. In today’s statement, Candela said the technology reduces energy consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional motorboats.
The Head of Design at Polestar, Maximilian Missoni, expressed adequate enthusiasm for Candela’s hydrofoil technology, stating it was a “paradigm shift for sustainable performance in the marine industry”. He compared the experience of driving a Candela boat to that of driving an electric car for the first time.
And this is not the only likeness between the two companies. Polestar and Candela had agreed for the carmaker to supply batteries and charging technology to power Candela’s electric hydrofoil boat in January, namely the Candela C-8. At the time, Polestar also promised its research and development capabilities to integrate the technology and software into the ship’s application and transfer it from land to sea.
In the Candela C-8 Polestar edition, the cooperation has progressed to incorporate Polestar design and material. With its solid grey exterior and lighter grey tones in the interior, the boat gets a “sleek and uniform look,” writes Polestar. Using marine-certified textiles throughout the ship, from seats to cushions, sunbeds, wall panels, and roof panels, adds to the cohesive design.
Gustav Hasselskog, CEO and founder of Candela, stressed that aesthetic excellence was an intrinsic value but could also serve as a powerful driving force towards a sustainable future. He expressed his satisfaction with the Candela C-8 Polestar edition and the collaboration with the Polestar team.
Starting from 2023, all Candela C-8 boats will be powered by the 69-kWh battery and charging hardware from the standard-range Polestar 2. This configuration enables a range of up to 57 nautical miles on a single charge at a cruising speed of 22 knots. The Candela C-8 utilizes a 75 kW electric direct drive pod motor called the Candela C-POD.
The Candela C-8 Polestar edition is available through the Polestar Additionals webshop or Candela sales channels. Prices start from €400,000 ($450,000). Production takes place at Candela’s factory in Stockholm, Sweden, and deliveries are expected to commence in June 2024.
This collaboration is part of Polestar’s partnerships beyond electric cars. Previous Polestar editions include the Cake Makka electric commuter moped, the Allebike mountain bike, and the electric transporter concept Re:Move.
Keyword: Polestar & Candela launch special edition hydrofoil boat