Volvo's Polestar reveals Tesla Model 3 rival

Thursday, 28 February 2019

Volvo's all-electric performance offshoot Polestar has revealed a car it is calling a Tesla Model 3 competitor; the Polestar 2.

The Polestar 2 packs two electric motors and a 78 kWh battery capacity that the company says will give it a range of around 500 kilometres.

Based on Volvo's adaptable Compact Modular Architecture platform (CMA), the Polestar 2's 27-module battery pack is integrated into the floor and contributes to the rigidity of the chassis as well as improves the car's noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels - Polestar says road noise has been reduced by 3.7 dB compared to a traditional chassis.

Polestar are claiming a range of around 500km for the Polestar 2, from a 78kWh battery pack.

With one electric motor at the front and another at the rear, the all-wheel drive electric powertrain produces 300kW and 660Nm, with Polestar claiming a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of less than 5 seconds.

**READ MORE:

With 300kW and 660Nm on tap, Polestar say the Polestar 2 will accelerate to 100km/h in under 5 seconds.

* Polestar unveils its first car

* Kiwis, the smaller, cheaper Tesla Model 3 is here. Sort of

The classy, minimalist interior is dominated by the large touchscreen that runs an Android-based operating system.

* Tesla's Model 3 struggles leave little 'wiggle room' on cash**

The standard chassis can be enhanced by a Performance Pack that adds Ohlins dampers, Brembo brakes and unique 20-inch forged alloy wheels.

Polestar is aiming the Polestar 2 directly at the Tesla Model 3.

'Polestar 2 is our first fully electric car and first volume model,' said Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar.

'Everything about it has been designed and engineered with passion and dedication. As an electric performance brand, and through the forthcoming launch of a portfolio of fully electric cars, Polestar is determined to address the world's air quality challenges. Polestar delivers electric performance cars that are great to own and drive.'

The Polestar 2 is also one of the first cars in the world to embed an infotainment system powered by Android.

Polestar says the Android backbone provides a 'solid and adaptable digital environment for apps and vehicle functions to coexist'.

The system brings embedded Google services to a car for the first time, including Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store, all on a large 11-inch touchscreen that dominates the dash.

As with all Polestar cars, the Polestar 2 will only be available for ordering online, with a 'guide purchase price' for the launch version being 59,900 euros (NZ$99,590) and subscription pricing to follow at a later date.

The launch version will be available for the first 12 months, after which a lower-powered entry version will follow, with a guide price of 39,900 euros (NZ$66,335).

Pre-orders are open at Polestar's website and production will begin in early 2020 in China for global markets in both left- and right-hand drive.

Initial launch markets include China, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK, with the company saying that other markets are under consideration for future expansion.