MEET THE POLESTAR 1 PERFORMANCE PLUG-IN HYBRID

[SoRrY.]

Polestar, Volvo Car Group’s performance offshoot, just unveiled its future as a stand-alone EV performance brand, confirming plans for its first three models as well as a new purpose-built production facility in Chengdu, China.

First up is the Polestar 1, a hybrid coupe looking like a cross between a two-door S90 and the Concept Coupe Volvo showed in Frankfurt. The 1 is set to roll off the line in mid-2019. Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath says the coupe has “amazing technology packed into it,” and calls it “a great start for our new Polestar brand.” A 34-kWh battery pack feeds two electric motors combining with a 2.0-liter four. There’s 218 hp from the motors and 382 hp from the 2.0-liter, so we’re looking at 600 hp and a whopping 737 lb-ft. Volvo says the car should have a 90-mile range on electric power alone but didn’t give 0-60 times or top speed.

The coupe rides on Volvo’s Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA), also underpinning the XC90, XC60, and S- and V90s. Volvo says about half of SPA is unique to the new car, including the new Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi). What’s that? According to Polestar, it works like this: Each shock has an electronic valve, constantly monitoring driver inputs and road conditions, and reacting in two milliseconds as needed, though the driver can make adjustments to fine-tune it. The coupe also has a 12-inch shorter wheelbase than other SPA-based cars.

The body is carbon fiber, cutting weight and according to Volvo improving torsional stiffness 45 percent. The car also uses a double electric rear axle, enabling torque vectoring.
Polestar plans to build 500 coupes a year. Next up is Polestar 2, a pure EV starting production later in 2019. The midsize sedan, more of a volume player, is set to compete with likes of the Tesla Model 3. The inevitable SUV, called Polestar 3, comes after that.
Polestar also said it is moving away from a traditional ownership model (hello, Tesla). Cars are ordered online only on a two- or three-year subscription basis. The zero-deposit, all-inclusive subscription includes a pickup and delivery service. Customers can also rent other Volvos and/or Polestars, all in one monthly payment. The idea, the company says, is as hassle-free customer experience as possible. Polestar is also going to have stand-alone showrooms for you tire kickers.
The Polestar 1’s order books opened today (Oct. 17, 2017). Operators are standing by.