Polestar Unveils its First Car - the High Performance Polestar 1

author: Eric Walz   

SHANGHAI, October 17, 2017 -- Polestar, Volvo Car Group's performance brand, has today revealed its future as a brand new standalone high-performance electric vehicle (EV) brand. Polestar confirmed plans for its first three models, a new purpose-built production facility in China and a customer-focused route to market that will set a new industry benchmark for performance vehicles.

Polestar also unveiled the 600hp Polestar 1, the company's first car, which is set to roll off the production line in mid-2019. Polestar's technology and product offers the benefit from economies of scale enabled by the Volvo Car Group, helping Polestar to accelerate design, development and production processes at fraction of the time it takes other automakers.

Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar said; "Polestar 1 is the first car to carry the Polestar on the bonnet. A beautiful GT with cutting edge technology - 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 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 based upon Volvo's new Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA), but approximately 50% is completely new.  Polestar 1 benefits from a host of new performance technologies, all aimed at making it a true driver's car.

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 fiber body reduces body weight and improves torsional stiffness by 45%, as well as lowering the car's center of gravity.

The Polestar 1 will be built in the state-of-the-art Polestar Production Center in Chengdu, China, which is currently under construction. It is due for completion in mid-2018.

Moving Away from a Traditional Ownership Model

Polestar will also move away from today's traditional ownership model. 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.

The Polestar 2 Will Start Production in 2019

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 ordering and configuration of Polestar cars will be conducted online via a Polestar app or online portal. However, Polestar also recognizes that customers still want to physically engage with the brand so Polestar will open a network of Polestar outlets around the world. This is where future Polestar customers can interact with the products and the brand.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.