The Polestar 1 will form a halo for the future
Polestar brand. The Polestar 1 is a two-door, 2+2 seat Grand Tourer Coupé with
an ‘Electric Performance Hybrid’ drivetrain. An electric car supported by an
internal combustion engine, it has a range of 150kms on pure electric power alone
- the longest full electric range of any hybrid car on the market. Its output
of 600hp and 1000Nm of torque places the car firmly in the performance car
segment.
The Polestar 1 is set to roll
off the production line in mid-2019. The Polestar 1 is based upon Volvo’s
Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) but approximately 50% is new and bespoke,
created by Polestar’s engineers. Polestar 1 is the world’s first car to be
fitted with the all-new class-leading Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic
Suspension (CESi) advanced chassis technology. A carbon fibre body reduces
bodyweight and improves torsional stiffness by 45%, as well as lowering the
cars’ centre of gravity. Additionally, Polestar 1 uses 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 will be built in the state-of-the-art,
purpose-built Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China. Currently under
construction, it is due for completion in mid-2018.
Polestar will also move away
from today’s traditional ownership model. Today, Polestar builds the S60 and
V60 Polestar, 367hp performance road cars with over 250 developments
over-and-above the standard Volvo products. It also offers Polestar Engineered
performance hardware upgrades and engine software optimisations for existing
Volvo products.
Cars will be ordered 100%
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
servicing and the ability to rent alternative vehicles within the Volvo and
Polestar range, all incorporated into one monthly payment.
All future cars from Polestar
will have a fully electric powertrain. Polestar 2 will start production later
in 2019 and will be the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from the Volvo Car
Group. It will be a mid-sized BEV, joining the competition around the Tesla
Model 3, and with consequently higher volumes than Polestar 1. The initial
phase of the Polestar product roll out will then be completed by the subsequent
arrival of a larger SUV-style BEV, the Polestar 3, which will create a modern
expression of electric performance and driving dynamics. The order books for
the new Polestar 1 open on 17 October 2017.
Source: Volvo Cars