KUALA LUMPUR: Polestar 2 is the second all-new model from the Swedish performance division of Volvo, a full-electric compact executive mainstream model.
Polestar developed the new model to not only set the standard in its segment, but also to rival the Tesla Model 3.
The top-spec First Edition will be offered at £49,900 (RM257,000) which is a significant bump from Tesla’s sub £40 grand price tag, but given the estimated range of over 480km, the Polestar 2 has quite something to back these figures up.
On to the more important figures, the Polestar 2 is powered by two electric motors that draw their juices from a 76kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This combo helps deliver the projected 500km range.
Power is 402hp, with 660Nm of fat torque available from the get go, as per most electric motors. Century sprint time is quoted at under 5 seconds.
The Polestar 2 is constructed on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture, which underpins the award-winning Volvo XC40 SUV.
For those wanting the best dynamics from the Polestar 2, the company will offer a set of chassis upgrades.
The Performance Pack includes Ohlins dampers all around, Brembo brakes and bespoke 20-inch forged alloy wheels.
Completing the upgrade is Polestar’s signature gold seat belts, brake callipers and valve caps.
The car styling consists of crisp detailing, clever surfacing and use of simple graphics to make the car even more contemporary than its rivals.
The interior has also been thoroughly reworked, featuring a sleek, understated and minimalist cabin, topped with a new next-generation 11-inch infotainment screen.
Other aspects are Volvo’s typical ergonomic and high level of quality materials used.
Polestar is set to launch the First Edition model in these photos while an entry-level model will follow suit somewhere next year.
Production will also begin next year, with deliveries scheduled to begin in June.