Electric Brand Polestar Announces New Options for the Polestar 2 EV, Including a New, Lower-Priced FWD Version

author: Eric Walz   

The Polestar 2.

Polestar, the new electric-performance car brand operated by Volvo Cars and its parent company Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co (Geely), announced a new more affordable version of the Polestar 2, the company's first mass-market EV.

Polestar is now offering a "Long Range Single Motor" version of the Polestar 2, which costs $4,000 less than the previous long range dual motor version. 

The new Polestar 2 Long range Single motor is priced at $45,900, before any incentives such as the federal EV tax credit of $7,500. Deliveries of the are expected to begin at the end of 2021.

Polestar also made improvements in the Polestar 2's range. The Long Range Single Motor version has an EPA estimated range of 265 miles vs the 249 miles range of the all dual motor version. It includes a 170 kW electric motor powering the front wheels.

Both versions of the Polestar 2 use the same 78kWh battery pack.

Customers can also add on the available "Plus" and "Pilot" Packs for the first time to enhance their vehicle. The Plus Pack ($4,000) includes a mechanical heat pump, which is designed to extend the vehicle's range by up to 10% under certain conditions. Polestar says the optional heat pump is a "must have '' for customers living in colder climates. 

The Plus Pack also adds a full-length panoramic glass roof, a premium interior featuring a powerful Harman Kardon audio system, vegan upholstery, and high-level interior illumination. 

The new Pilot Pack ($3,200) offers enhanced driver assist and safety features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Pilot Assist, Blind Spot Information System (BLISTM), Cross Traffic Alert, along with a 360-degree surround view camera and parking sensors.

The dual-motor all-wheel-drive Polestar 2 gets some new options as well. It can now be ordered with a "Performance Pack", which adds sporty Öhlins dual flow valve shock absorbers, gold Brembo four pistons aluminium brake calipers for the front wheels, 20" forged alloy wheels mounted with high-performance summer tires. The Performance Pack costs an additional $5,000 and is only available for the dual motor Polestar 2 version.

"We are excited to introduce the expanded Polestar 2 range, which offers an ideal configuration for every lifestyle," said Gregor Hembrough, Head of Polestar in North America. "As we roll the brand out to 20 new US markets this year, we have the product, pricing and convenience to place Polestar at the top of consumer shopping lists."

Other single options include a ventilated Nappa leather interior ($4,000), a semi-electric tow bar ($1,200) and metallic paint ($1,200).

All versions of the Polestar 2 feature Google's Android Automotive OS native infotainment system with key features such as Google Assistant and Google Maps built-in. 

Polestar was the first automaker to offer Google's Android Automotive OS, which is embedded into the infotainment system. It allows access to popular Google apps such as Maps, Google Assistant and Play Music without having to sync a smartphone.

In October of last year, the Polestar 2 won the Luxury category in the annual "German Car of the Year" (GCOTY) awards.  Among the judging criteria are design, driving pleasure, drivetrain, handling, quality, comfort, practicality, safety, environment, infotainment and price/performance ratio.

Like Tesla, Polestar does not have a network of dealerships. Instead, Polestar is rapidly expanding its network of retail "Spaces" throughout the U.S., with 25 new showrooms planned to be open by the end of 2021. Each of these Polestar Spaces is staffed with product experts that can answer questions, schedule test drives and assist with the digital ordering process.

Customers can order their vehicle entirely online at Polestar.com, or schedule a test drive via Polestar.com/test-drive. 

Volvo launched its electric brand Polestar in 2017. Polestar unveiled its first model, the limited production, flagship luxury-hybrid Polestar 1 in Oct 2017. In Feb 2019, Polestar revealed the Polestar 2.

Polestar is challenging Tesla with performance-oriented electric cars that are more affordable than the flagship Tesla Model S, yet priced competitively with the mass-market Model 3 and Model Y crossover. 

In June, Polestar announced its third vehicle will be an electric-performance SUV called the Polestar 3 that will compete with the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mach-E and other electric SUVs. The forthcoming Polestar 3 will be manufactured by Volvo Cars at its factory in Ridgeville, South Carolina. 

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.