- The Volvo offshoot brings its future EVs to the U.S.
- What we know about the Polestar 3
- How can you order a Polestar 2?
Polestar made its first car in 2019, but most consumers never had the chance to buy one. That initial model, the Polestar 1, was based on a pre-existing Volvo concept. The automaker is an offshoot of Polestar Racing, which modifies Volvo cars for automotive competitions. Though the Polestar 1 was a hybrid and available only overseas, U.S. customers can buy the all-electric Polestar 2 performance sedan. And another EV — the Polestar 3 crossover SUV — will soon be available stateside.
In fact, the automaker recently announced it has already allotted a large number of units for U.S. buyers.
The Volvo offshoot brings its future EVs to the U.S.
Polestar’s model lineup for 2024 | Polestar
By 2025, Polestar will make around 160,000 units of its upcoming models, Automotive News reports. For comparison, only 25 Polestar 1 units made it to production. According to InsideEVs, the company sold about 29,000 units last year.
That’s a giant leap in production, but the EV maker seems confident the Polestar 3 will impress consumers. U.S. customers will also be able to buy the Polestar 4, slated for release by 2024. It’s another performance SUV, though teaser shots reveal it has a sloping roofline to distinguish itself from the Polestar 3.
The automaker predicts it will sell 79,000 Polestar 4 units during its second model year. The Polestar 5 GT sedan should also debut in the next few years.
Polestar is hopeful that these vehicles will help the company reach its global sales goal of 290,000 units in 2025.
What we know about the Polestar 3
The athletic Polestar 3 will make its way to the States in October 2022. The company hasn’t revealed most of the model’s powertrain specs yet, but the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) has rated the EV for 372 miles of range. Because of the EPA’s stricter testing regimen, that number will likely hover around 310 miles on U.S. examples.
The Polestar 3 will also have a dual-motor setup, and it’s worth noting that the company markets this vehicle as a “performance SUV.” Automotive News compares the Polestar 3 to the Porsche Cayenne, so the EV might have similar acceleration and handling. Without any enhancement packages, the Cayenne can reach 60 mph in under five seconds.
So far, the EV maker has unveiled only a few Polestar 3 interior photos, showing a digital gauge cluster screen and a large center touchscreen. In addition, Polestar says the vehicle has LiDAR sensor technology, so it should be capable of a certain level of autonomous driving.
How can you order a Polestar 2?
Unlike most automakers, Polestar doesn’t have traditional car dealerships. Instead, it has “Spaces” where you can look at the cars up close and get insight from sales reps. If you want to buy the car, you have to order it through Polestar’s website.
After you configure your desired model, you pay a $500 deposit to secure your order. Your car will be delivered to your address or shipped to a Polestar Space for you to pick up.
The Polestar 2, though not especially popular yet, is still a good contender in the segment. A fully loaded model has two electric motors that produce 408 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque. Even the single-motor version offers impressive straight-line acceleration with 231 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque.
The dual-motor version gets 249 miles of range, while the base model can go 265 miles on a full charge. When attached to a DC fast-charger, the EV will need 40 minutes to restore 80% of the battery’s power.
The Polestar 2’s interior is comfortable and upscale, with plenty of helpful technology. Best of all, despite their luxury designations, both trims are (relatively) affordably priced. Models with all available options cost around $57,000, and the standard model is closer to $50,000.
Keyword: Polestar Plans to Make 160,000 EVs and Send Most to the U.S., Company Says