Volvo’s performance wing Polestar has its future as a standalone electric brand
Polestar has confirmed plans for its first three models, a new production facility in China, and ambitions to set a new industry benchmark for performance vehicles.
The 600hp Polestar 1 will be the first car to carry the Polestar badge, and will roll off the production line in mid-2019. Because of synergies and economies of scale enabled by Volvo, Polestar can design and produce cars in a fraction of the time it takes a new entrant.
Thomas Ingenlath, chief executive of Polestar, said; “Polestar 1 is the first car to carry the Polestar on the bonnet. A beautiful GT, with amazing technology packed into it — a great start for our new Polestar brand. All future cars from Polestar will feature a fully electric drivetrain, delivering on our brand vision of being the new, standalone electric performance brand.”
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 electric power alone - that’s the longest electric range of any hybrid car. It has an output of 600hp and 1000Nm of torque.
Polestar 1 uses a double- electric rear axle, which enables torque vectoring.
This supports the driver
with precise acceleration
on each wheel to maximise road grip and maintain speed while cornering.
The Polestar 1 will be built in the Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China. It is under construction, and due for completion in mid-2018.
Polestar cars will be ordered exclusively online and offered on a two- or three-year subscription.
The zero-deposit, all-inclusive subscription will also add features such as pick-up and delivery.
