Polestar 2 lines up at the starting grid

ELECTRIC vehicles (EVs) might still have a long way to go in Australia, but brand’s around the world are forging forward at rapid pace.

BMW has its i brand and Mercedes-Benz has its EQ line-up, and not to mention Tesla and their continued EV market onslaught with the likes of the Model S, Model X, Model 3 and now Model Y.

Don’t count out the Swedes though, as Volvo’s Polestar performance division has just unveiled its second model – aptly named the Polestar 2 – that the brand hopes will take the Australia by storm.

Revealed at the Geneva motor show, the Polestar 2 sports a handsome mid-size sedan body style with an all-electric twist underneath.

Shown at this year’s Geneva motor show in March, the Polestar 2 follows the pioneering Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid of 2017 but mixes up the formula with a full-electric drivetrain.

With two electric motors in tow, one for each axle, the all-wheel-drive Polestar 2 produces 300kW of power and 660Nm of torque – enough to shoot the emissions-free sedan to 100km/h from a standstill in less than five seconds.

It’s certainly impressive given the electric Polestar 2 will destroy internal-combustion hot hatches such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Hyundai i30 N in an impromptu traffic-light race.

Two electric motors are employed in the Polestar 2, one for each axle, which will produce a combined 300kW/660Nm that can propel the emissions-free sedan from 0-100km/h in less than five seconds.

Fitted with a 78kWh battery in its floor, the Polestar 2 will even travel about 500km before needing a charge, with the infotainment system or smartphone app able to direct drivers towards a station.

Based on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, the Polestar 2 has taken full advantage of the EV building blocks by mounting the battery pack low down and using it as a way to insulate occupants from unwanted road noise.

Aussies salivating at the spec sheet shouldn’t fret either, as the Polestar 2 is earmarked to lead the brand’s push into the local market after its Polestar 1 sibling was restricted to left-hand-drive production only.

Range shouldn’t be a problem in the Polestar 2, either, as its 78kWh battery should be good for around 500km before needing to be topped up.

Pricing is still yet to be revealed, but given its small-car size and higher-end premium badge, our best guess would be around the $85,000 (plus on-road costs) mark.

Looking at its rivals, the second-generation Nissan Leaf will hit showrooms for $49,990, while the Hyundai Ioniq Electric starts at $48,990, albeit both are from more mainstream brands.

Probably the Polestar 2’s most direct competitor, however, will be the Tesla Model 3, which features a $US35,000 ($A49,392) starting price, although expect that figure to balloon once importation fees and taxes are added.

Inside the Polestar 2 is suitably modern thanks to an Android-powered 11.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system complete with Google’s own services.

From the outside, the Polestar 2 certainly looks unique thanks to Volvo’s signature ‘Thor’s hammer’ (which is named Mjolnir for trivia buffs) LED headlights, sloping-roof design, darkened grille and connected C-shaped tail-lights.

Step inside and occupants will notice an Android-powered 11.0-inch portrait-orientated infotainment system, complete with integrated Google services such as Assistant, Maps and Play Store, just like your Samsung smartphone!

Polestar is also touting a vegan-friendly interior, while other equipment includes a panoramic glass sunroof, digital instrumentation, 20-inch wheels, gold seatbelts, Ohlin dampers and Brembo brakes – some of which are available optionally.

The stylish Polestar 1 was revealed backed in 2017 and is powered by a 447kW/1000Nm petrol-electric hybrid set-up, though production is limited to left-hand-drive only.

The Polestar 2 will naturally be the second model in the Swedish electric specialist’s line-up, with the first model revealed in a few years ago in the form of the Polestar 1.

As a sleek and slender large coupe, the Polestar 1 competes against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and BMW 8 Series, but its party trick is its hybrid powertrain.

Though a 2.0-litre super- and turbo-charged inline four-cylinder engine spins the front wheels, two electric motors drive the rear axle for a combined output of 447kW/1000Nm.

Priced at nearly $110,000 before on-road costs when new, the Volvo S60 Polestar was fitted with a 257kW/500Nm 3.0-litre six that was capable of shooting the sedan from 0-100km/h in less than five seconds.

However, the road-going cars which most people might associate most with Polestar is the enhanced Volvo S60 sedan and V60 wagon from 2013.

Powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder, the Polestar S60/V60 pushed out a healthy 257kW/500Nm, which were eventually replaced with a 270kW/470Nm 2.0-litre unit in 2016.

The Polestar 2 then certainly keeps the performance edge alive for the brand, although whether it succeeds in its pivot to a standalone EV manufacturer is still to be seen.
 

Protect your Volvo. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.