The More Affordable, Single-Motor FWD Polestar 2 EV is Now Available in the U.S.

author: FutureCar Staff    

The Polestar 2 electric hatchback is now available in a single motor, FWD configuration.

Polestar, the new electric brand established in 2017 and operated by Volvo Cars and its parent company Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding ("Geely"), has announced that its more affordable single-motor, front-wheel-drive Polestar 2 hatchback is now available in the U.S. 

Previously, only the dual-motor all-wheel drive Polestar 2 could be test driven and ordered in the U.S.

The single-motor Polestar 2 offers up to 270 miles of range which is higher than the dual-motor variant. It has a starting price of $45,900, which is the lowest priced vehicle in Polestar's current lineup. 

However the EV is eligible for incentives up to $12,000, which includes the federal EV tax credit of $7,500. The tax breaks mean that the Polestar 2 will cost under $35,000 in some states, a price target that Tesla once targeted for its mass-market Model 3 sedan.

"The single-motor Polestar 2 can be had for well under $35,000 in states like New Jersey, making it one of the most compelling offerings on the market," said Gregor Hembrough, Head of Polestar North America. "All variants of the Polestar 2 exude the brand's leadership in cutting-edge technology with the Google infotainment system, premium sustainable materials, and unparalleled avant-garde design."

Although the single-motor Polestar 2 cost less, it offers the same standard features as the high-performance dual-motor Polestar 2. This includes the world's first infotainment system powered by Android Automotive OS with Google built-in, a premium vegan leather interior, and Polestar's sport-focused, chassis tuning.

Android Automotive OS is an embedded version of Android that Google developed specifically for automakers. The Polestar 2 comes with Google Maps for navigation, along with a suite of available third-party apps that owners can download to the vehicle. 

Polestar offers two option packs for the Polestar 2, "Plus" and "Pilot". They are available for all versions. The Plus Pack costs $4,000 and adds a mechanical heat pump to extend range in colder climates, a full-length panoramic glass roof, a 13-speaker, audiophile-grade Harman Kardon audio system and "WeaveTech" vegan interior upholstery. 

The Pilot Pack costs $3,200. Like its name, it's focused on the driver. It offers enhanced safety and driver assistance features, including Pilot Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Blind Spot Information System (BLISTM). 

All Polestar 2 owners receive free over-the-air (OTA) updates that deliver enhancements directly to the vehicle, enabling even the oldest cars to run the latest software and features. 

Recent software updates include the ability to schedule charging sessions, quicker DC charging enabled by battery preconditioning, and a Range Assistant app that includes an Eco Climate function.

Like its rival Tesla, Polestar sells its vehicles directly to customers and does not have a network of dealers. Instead, Polestar is opening retail locations called "Polestar Spaces", where customers can see the vehicle in-person, learn about all of its features, and have any questions answered by product experts in a low pressure environment. Customers can also arrange for a test drive at the Polestar Spaces.

The newest Polestar Space opened in January on California's famed Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. It will offer sales, service, and test drives. The prime location in Laguna Beach will serve customers living throughout Orange County, CA,  a key national market for electric cars and the second-largest EV market in California. The state also has the highest number of EV sales in the U.S.

Other Polestar Spaces are located in major metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Denver, Boston, Dallas and Washington DC and Austin TX. To make buying a Polestar more convenient for customers, Polestar offers vehicle pick up and delivery for test drives, sales, and service within 150 miles from any Polestar Space.

Polestar is targeting a global sales target of approximately 65,000 vehicles this year. In Sept 2021, the company announced its intention to list on the Nasdaq stock exchange through a business combination with blank check firm Gores Guggenheim, Inc.

In December, Polestar offered the first camouflaged teaser look of the new Polestar 3 SUV at a media event in New York. The Polestar 3 will launch later this year. It will be a sleek electric-performance SUV that will compete with the Tesla Model Y and other similar electric crossovers. The full reveal is expected soon.

Last month, Polestar's parent company Volvo Cars announced it was investing SEK 10 billion (US$1.1 billion) in its Torslanda manufacturing plant in Sweden over the next several years in preparation for the production of its next generation fully electric vehicles. 

As part of the investments, Volvo said it will introduce a number of new and more sustainable technologies and manufacturing processes in the plant, including the "mega casting" aluminum vehicle body parts as a single structure, which will be used for the forthcoming Polestar 5, 4-door GT model.

The Polestar 5 will launch in 2024 as the production version of the Polestar Precept concept sedan that the company unveiled in 2020. It showcases the brand's future vision in terms of design and technology.

Polestar said that development of Polestar 5 continues at a rapid pace, with global efforts led by a growing UK R&D unit, which is expected to grow to approximately 500 engineers in the coming months. The company says these teams will play a critical role in enhancing Polestar's in-house R&D capabilities for future models.

FutureCar Staff