Back in June 2017, Volvo Cars announced that its performance brand Polestar is going to be a standalone brand producing electrified performance cars, which will no longer carry a Volvo logo.
Now, Volvo has a few more things to share with us going in that direction. Firstly, the company has revealed the Polestar 1 — a two-door Grand Tourer coupe with an ‘Electric Performance Hybrid’ drivetrain. Do note that the photos we’re seeing here are the first production model (prototype) and not a concept.
The car has a range of up to 150 km (93 mi) on pure electric power alone — claimed to be the longest full electric range of any hybrid car on the market. The system output of 600 bhp and 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft) of torque places the car firmly in the performance car segment.
The Polestar 1 is based upon Volvo’s Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) but approximately 50% is new and bespoke, created by Polestar’s engineers, said the company. Also, the Polestar 1 is claimed to be the world’s first car to be fitted with the Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi) advanced chassis technology. In simple language, they’re Öhlins dampers. The brakes are supplied by Akebono.
The carbon fibre body is claimed to reduce weight and improve torsional stiffness by 45%, as well as lowering the car’s centre of gravity. Additionally, the car uses a double electric rear axle which enables torque vectoring. This helps in maintaining the maximum road grip and speed while cornering.
The Polestar 1 will be built in a purpose-built Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China. Currently under construction, due for completion in mid-2018.
No more ownership
The second thing the company shared is that the Polestar will move away from today’s traditional ownership model. Cars will be ordered exclusively 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.
This is facilitated by Phone-As-Key technology. It allows the owner to share a virtual key with a third party, and also enables access to a host of other on-demand features.
Polestar 2, Polestar 3
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, competing with the Tesla Model 3. The initial phase of the Polestar product range will be completed by the subsequent arrival of a larger SUV-style BEV, the Polestar 3.
Ordering now open
The order books for the new Polestar 1 will open on 17 October 2017. The ordering and configuration of Polestar cars will be conducted online via a Polestar app or online portal. However, Polestar will open a network of Polestar Spaces around the world. This is where future Polestar customers can interact with products and the brand. Polestar Spaces will be standalone facilities and not within existing Volvo retailer showrooms.
Investment
Volvo Cars and parent Geely will jointly invest RMB 5 billion (€640 million) to support the initial phase of Polestar’s product, brand and industrial development.
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