Volvo’s high-performance sub-brand Polestar announced its first all-electric vehicle this week, the Polestar 2. The company labels the car as the first to embed Google services including Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store, offering users the option to download additional apps and display them on a 12.3-inch digital driver display or an 11.15-inch center stack display.
The Polestar 2 is an all-electric vehicle powered by two electric motors, unlike the original Polestar introduced in 2017 which is based on a hybrid drivetrain. The Polestar 2 is equipped with a 78kWh battery and two electric motors each delivering 330Nm of torque and 150Kw of power or around 201 horsepower for a total of 402HP. Power is distributed to all four wheels and the package should allow the vehicle to go from 0 to 100Km/h in less than five seconds, all the while promising a target range of 500Km (275 miles).
The Polestar 2 uses the driver’s smartphone as a key – or rather an authentication device – and comes with a variety of modern features. Star/Stop buttons may be cool, but the Polestar 2 has none of that. Instead, it employs smart seat sensors which detect whenever the driver is seated and powers up all on its own.
The vehicle detects whenever the driver approaches and once the digital key, i.e., connected smartphone is in range, the in-car displays will show information regarding range, battery status and more. Custom settings such as the position of the seat and mirrors will be saved within the Polestar Connect mobile application.
And speaking of smartphones, the Polestar 2 integrates an inductive wireless charging coil inside the tunnel console, giving the driver and passengers the ability to recharge their phones without having to fumble with USB cords. The interior employs a wide range of materials, from reconstructed wood for decor elements to vegan and textile materials while offering optional Nappa leather.
As for the exterior, the vehicle relies on Volvo’s IntelliSafe autopilot system to gather information regarding its surroundings and the trajectory of nearby traffic participants. Equipped with a front radar unit, two rear radar units, and a windshield-mounted camera, the Polestar 2 offers collision mitigation and warns the driver when deemed necessary, either through audio signals, visual warnings on the driver display, or a brake pulse.
In extreme situations, the system can brake automatically, and safety is complemented by steering support and incrementally-tightening seatbelts. The battery at the heart of the vehicle can be charged with both AC and DC, and the Polestar Connect mobile app allows setting the duration and maximum charge level.
The Polestar 2 is now available for pre-order and will enter production in 2020 when it will be assembled at the Polestar Production Center in China. According to a report from The Verge, a “launch edition” model will be released later this year for the price of $63,000 (55,000 EUR). Once it enters full production next year, the cheapest Polestar 2 configuration will cost around $45,000 (39,900 EUR) while higher-end variants will bump the price up to around $68,000 (59,900 EUR). The all-electric vehicle will be available for purchase in the U.S. and Canada, Belgium, China, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the U.K.
