Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website Polestar unveils its first car – the Polestar 1 – and reveals its vision to be the new electric performance brand
october 17, 2017 - Polestar

Polestar unveils its first car – the Polestar 1 – and reveals its vision to be the new electric performance brand

Polestar, Volvo Car Group's performance brand, has today revealed its future as a new standalone electric performance brand. #polestar confirmed plans for its first three models, a new purpose-built production facility in China and a customer-focussed route to market that will set a new industry benchmark for performance vehicles.

 

Polestar also unveiled the 600hp #polestar1, the company's first car, which is set to roll off the production line in mid-2019. Polestar's technology and product offering benefits from synergies and economies of scale enabled by the Volvo Car Group, helping #polestar to accelerate design, development and production processes at a fraction of the time it takes other new entrants.

 

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 amazing technology packed into it – 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 #polestar1 will form a halo for the future #polestar brand. The #polestar1 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 150km 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 #polestar1 is based upon Volvo's Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA), but approximately 50% is new and bespoke, created by Polestar's engineers. To reinforce its dynamic driving characteristics, #polestar1 benefits from a host of new technologies, all aimed at making it a true driver's car. #polestar1 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 fibre body reduces bodyweight and improves torsional stiffness by 45%, as well as lowering the car's centre of gravity. Additionally, #polestar1 uses a double electric rear axle, which enables torque vectoring. This supports the driver with precise acceleration on each wheel to keep the maximum road grip and maintain speed while cornering.

 

The #polestar1 will be built in the state-of-the-art, purpose-built #polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China. Currently under construction, it is due for completion in mid-2018.

 

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 flat-rate subscription means that having a #polestar car becomes a hassle-free experience for the customer. This is facilitated by Phone-As-Key technology. It allows the owner to share a virtual key with a third party, and also enables access to a host of other on-demand features. This concierge service ensures that the customer needs to focus only on the enjoyment of driving.

 

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 #polestar1. 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 recognises that customers still want to physically engage with the brand, so #polestar will open a network of #polestar Spaces around the world. This is where future #polestar customers can interact with products and the brand. #polestar Spaces will be standalone facilities and not within existing Volvo retailer showrooms.

 

The order books for the new #polestar1 open on 17 October 2017, with #polestar able to take expressions of interest from prospective customers immediately.

 

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