Polestar, Volvo Car Group’s performance brand, has revealed its future as a new standalone electric performance brand. The company has unveiled its first offering, the Polestar 1. The brand will adopt a customer-focused route to market its products with all-inclusive subscription-based services that will set a new industry benchmark for buying performance cars.
Polestar 1, the first offering from the company will head for production in mid-2019. It is a two-door, 2+2 seater Grand Tourer Coupe with an Electric Performance Hybrid drivetrain. Polestar will build only 500 units per year and all of the cars will be offered on a subscription basis.
The Polestar 1 is built on Volvo’s Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) but approximately 50% of it is new and bespoke, created by Polestar’s engineers. An all-new double electric motor system driving both rear wheels, connected together by planetary gears produces 218 hp. With the support of an Integrated Starter Generator the Polestar 1 in pure electric mode can travel up to 150 km, which is currently said to be the longest full electric range of any hybrid car on the market. The Polestar 1 in combination with its 2.0L four-cylinder Volvo Drive-E petrol engine delivers 600 hp and 1000 Nm of torque which places it directly in the performance car segment.
Polestar cars have always been known for their driving dynamics and the new Polestar 1 is no exception. It benefits from a host of new technologies, all aimed at making it a true driver’s car. It is the world’s first car to be fitted with the all-new class-leading Ohlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi) advanced chassis technology. The body of the Polestar 1 is made from carbon fiber which reduces weight and improves torsional stiffness by 45%, as well as lowering the car’s center of gravity.
The performance hybrid also comes equipped with a double electric rear axle which enables torque vectoring. This supports the driver with precise acceleration on each wheel to keep the maximum road grip and maintain speed while cornering. The Polestar 1 comes fitted with a powerful braking system manufactured by Akebono. The 6-piston brake calipers and 400-millimetre discs provide maximum stopping capability. Front and rear weight distribution of 48:52 also ensures the car delivers class-leading handling.
More Polestar cars will be introduced:
Following the Polestar 1 will be the Polestar 2 and Polestar 3. The Polestar 2 will be the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) from the Volvo Car Group. It will be a mid-sized fully-electric car that competes with the likes of the Tesla Model 3. Polestar 2 is currently in the engineering phase and will start production later in 2019.
The next offering will be the Polestar 3. It is a large SUV-style BEV, creating a modern expression of electric performance and driving dynamics. The Polestar 3 will sit between Polestar 1 and Polestar 2 in terms of volume and pricing. The vehicle is in the finishing stages of design.
Polestar will bring a new approach to own Performance Cars:
Polestar will also create a new way to experience performance car ownership. All cars will be ordered online and offered on a two or three-year subscription basis. The zero-deposit, all-inclusive subscription will also add features such as pick-up and delivery. It also ensures that the customer need never concern themselves with the inconvenience or cost of depreciation, insurance and maintenance.
Polestar will also offer on-demand services which can be ordered online or through a Polestar app. The charge will be added to the monthly invoice. Customers will also be able to rent alternative vehicles within the Volvo and Polestar range, all incorporated into one monthly payment. Other services include the ability to book a car wash and valet at a time and location convenient to the customer.
Phone-as-Key technology is the main enabler of Polestar’s concierge services. It allows the owner to share a virtual key with a third party with help from an easy-to-use app on Apple or Android devices. The driver can use this key for collection of the car to recharge it, service it and more, without the owner ever leaving their home or office.
The subscription will be offered for a fixed term of two or three years. At the end of the contract, the customer will return the car, or can ask for a pickup and move onto their next Polestar experience. Polestar will refurbish these cars and prepare them for a secondary subscription as a high-quality pre-owned Polestar car.
New Polestar Production Centre:
Polestar is setting up a new purpose-built production facility in China. To support this, Volvo Cars has formed a joint venture with two companies within its parent company, Zhejiang Geely Holding. Polestar will remain a subsidiary of Volvo Car Group and will be fully consolidated into Volvo Car Group.
The new Polestar 1 will be built in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China. The facility is currently under construction and should be completed by mid-2018. The new Polestar Production Centre has been carefully created together with international award-winning architects, Snohetta from Norway.
The new Polestar Production Centre will also house one of the first Polestar Spaces, with a customer test track constructed within the campus. This will enable potential customers to evaluate the car to extremes not possible on public roads.
When complete, this facility will be the most environmentally-responsible car factory in China, and one of the most efficient in the world. It is being built with a target of Gold status in the globally-recognized LEED ratings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
Polestar 1 Images:
