The automaker claims it's the first electric car to compete with the Tesla Model 3
Volvo’s Polestar electric brand has just revealed its second car. The number two model from the race-team turned electrified carmaker is called, appropriately if not creatively, the Polestar 2.
The Polestar 1 was a coupe, so it makes sense that the second car is a sedan. The automaker claims it’s the first electric car to compete with the Tesla Model 3, going so far as to call out its rival.
Taking the fight to Tesla is a bold move, but this car looks to have the looks it needs to do it. It’s an interesting design with a big grille and decidedly chunky wheel-arches pushed right out to the corners. The headlights use the Thor’s Hammer looks from parent company Volvo, and that’s certainly no bad thing.
It’s a body that manages to look both blocky and curvy at the same time. Muscular and modern, in our opinion it’s a better looker than the Model 3.
But when it comes to EVs, styling’s not the important part. The whirring bits underneath are. The Polestar 2 is based on Volvo’s CMA electric platform. The 78 kWh battery has 27 modules located in the floor. The company is shooting for a range of 500 km on the WLTP test cycle, or 446 km on the EPA test.
The electric motors deliver 408 hp and 487 lb-ft, sent to all four of those 19 or 20-inch forged wheels. Letting the car hit 100 km/h in under five seconds.
Polestar built its name building race cars and then performance cars, and the 2 doesn’t forget that past. Ohlins dampers and Brembo brakes should help ensure that the handling dynamics match the powertrain.
There’s plenty of tech in here too. The car is one of the first to be completely powered by Android infotainment. That means Google services like Google Assistant and Google Maps built in. What Polestar calls the first car with that integration.
It will have phone-as-key tech letting you open and start without fumbling for a fob. Special graphics on the dash are meant to let the driver see charge status before opening the door.
The car will make its first public appearance at the Geneva show. Canada will be one of the nine initial launch markets.
The Polestar 2 is available now to configure and order, though deliveries aren’t expected to start before July next year. The target price, though, is set at $69,900, before any provincial rebates that may apply.
Keyword: Polestar Reveals 2. Company's First Full EV