Initially a automobile to go touring automotive racing, in 2009 the model turned the official associate of Volvo and started making hot-rod variations of the Swedish model’s automobiles. When Volvo swallowed Polestar everybody assumed it could grow to be to Volvo what M-Sport is to BMW and AMG to Mercedes.
Two years after the buy-out, Volvo shocked the world when it introduced Polestar would grow to be a standalone electrical automotive model, manufactured at a brand new purpose-built Polestar Manufacturing Centre in Chengdu, China (house to Volvo’s guardian firm, Geely).
Since then it has gone on to provide the Polestar 2 hatch, the three mid-size SUV and the Polestar 4 coupe-SUV mash-up.
Within the UK, the Polestar 2 has needed to do many of the heavy lifting – constructing the model and grabbing gross sales from different EV disruptors like Tesla and BYD.
It’s been profitable, too, constantly out-performing gross sales targets and establishing Polestar as a model in its personal proper. Final yr, it acquired some updates to maintain it contemporary, a very powerful of which noticed the utmost claimed range-to-empty improve from 341 to 406 miles. That’s very spectacular.
On a full cost, our take a look at automobile claimed 363 miles of vary, however that was in sub-zero climate when battery life at all times takes a success. I’d say the 400 mile declare may very well be achievable in the summertime months.
After all, the most cost effective mannequin falls considerably in need of these figures. The entry-level commonplace vary single motor mannequin makes do with a 69kWh battery that’s good for as much as 339 miles of vary in good situations. It additionally will get a extra highly effective motor which produces a hefty 268bhp, a considerable improve over the unique 228bhp.
You’ll have to pony up for the lengthy vary single motor model in order for you the reassurance of that 400 mile determine. However your cash additionally buys you extra poke – virtually 300bhp – which makes the Polestar 2 one thing of a flier.
The twin motor variant will get much more energy (416bhp) however much less vary (368 miles). For folks with extra money than sense, there’s additionally a efficiency package deal which lifts energy of the twin motor model to 469bhp and slashes the 0-62mph time to a Porsche-bothering 4.0 seconds flat.
Beneath the watchful eye of UK-born design chief Peter Horbury, Volvo efficiently shrugged off its ‘boxy’ type and embraced Scandi stylish. Automobiles just like the XC90 confirmed it was attainable for a premium model to draw patrons with out copying the Germans.
That very same easy cool has rubbed off on Polestar.
Regardless of its virtually minimalist exterior, the Polestar 2 by some means manages to look sporty and attention-grabbing. It’s a tough job to drag off a brand new household search for an rising automotive model with out resorting to acquainted tropes, however, by some means, Polestar has executed precisely that. Anybody with a passing curiosity in automobiles would know a Polestar after they noticed one.
It’s the identical inside. Naturally, the cabin is dominated by a big touchscreen interface that’s the primary automotive outing for Google OS.
Utilizing one of many world’s most profitable tech corporations to design your infotainment is a great transfer, as a result of Google is aware of what makes a very good touchscreen person expertise.
The system is snappy and logical. Polestar has specified a good processor, so there’s no irritating lag if you stab or swipe with a digit and the graphics are crisply rendered. When you don’t like utilizing the touchscreen you should use the Google voice assistant. Google maps and Spotify are current and proper. So is YouTube and my daughter was most impressed once I allowed her to observe amusing cat movies whereas we sat in a carpark. You may as well get Amazon Prime Video as an app. When you’re watching a vid, the display screen cuts out when the automotive is shifting.
And simply to indicate we stay in a democracy, Apple CarPlay is baked-in, too.
The eagle-eyed would possibly word that the quantity knob comes from the Volvo XC90 however, in any other case, the Polestar’s inside feels bespoke.
A phrase in regards to the seats which do comply with Volvo custom in being splendidly comfy over many miles. This can be a automotive through which you’d be pleased to cowl greater than 350 miles in a single go.
It’s fast, too, however not in a sizzling hatch means, and the sturdy brake regeneration makes it very easy to drive on the town. Out on the open street it feels planted and confidence-inspiring. The motor doesn’t intrude into the cabin, besides if you actually summon up its energy. The experience is mature and it copes properly with potholes and damaged street surfaces.
Apparently, having given Polestar a leg up these previous few years, Volvo is now shifting away from the marque, decreasing its shareholding this yr as the 2 corporations go their very own means. Geely now turns into Polestar’s steward because it seeks to make its means on the earth.
However having pushed the Polestar 2 I can’t assist however surprise if Volvo hasn’t been a bit too hasty. The 2 marques really feel distinctly totally different and Polestar most likely has a greater probability of discovering youthful patrons as a result of it’s not hidebound with the ‘Volvo property’ picture its former sister firm nonetheless labours underneath.
Even higher, Polestar 2 can now journey as much as 22% additional, eat as much as 9% much less vitality, and cost as much as 34% quicker, due to {hardware} upgrades together with bigger batteries and new motors. It’s additionally supremely comfy, handsome and pleasant to drive.
What’s to not like?
