2022 Polestar 3: US-built electric performance SUV teased – UPDATE

3 December 2021: The 2022 Polestar 3 has been teased once again (above), with the electric performance brand lifting off the sheet to give our best look yet at the new SUV.

The Polestar 3 will opt for a more dynamic approach than its twin, the XC90-replacing Volvo Embla, mixing a sloping roofline and large alloy wheels with key Polestar design cues, including the T-shaped lighting signature and the six-sided upper 'front grille' motif.

Other highlights include muscular rear wheel arches, a rising beltline, wheel arch flares, and sensors in the top of the windscreen expected to include a lidar sensor.

As reported previously, the Polestar 3 will be available with single- and dual-motor powertrain configurations to cater for different markets, with higher levels of performance than equivalent Volvo Embla variants. The Polestar will also feature two rows of seats, compared to three in the Volvo.

The 2022 Polestar 3 will launch sometime next year, with an Australian launch highly likely. Our original story from June continues below.

17 June 2021: The 2022 Polestar 3 has been teased, as the Volvo-owned electric performance brand's first SUV model – and Polestar's Australian launch in November 2021 could open the door to a local release.

An image released by Polestar overnight (above) previews the silhouette of the "aerodynamic electric performance SUV", and while the sheet hiding the vehicle obscures specific design details, the Polestar 3's high driving position but coupe-inspired sloping roofline are visible, along with what appears to be a fixed rear spoiler similar to the new Volvo C40 Recharge.

Large alloy wheels (likely of a 21- or 22-inch diameter) will fill the wheel arches, while the outline of a sloping beltline and 'floating' rear-most pillar can be seen through the vehicle's cover.

Exactly how large the Polestar 3 will be is not yet known, though earlier reporting suggests it could target the large Tesla Model X.

A first for the brand, production of the new SUV for the US market will occur at Volvo's plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina – though it's not clear whether models destined for other markets will be built elsewhere, such as China, which is home to production of Polestar's first two vehicles, the Polestar 1 hybrid coupe and Polestar 2 electric sedan.

Above: The Polestar Precept concept, claimed to be a preview of the brand's future design language.

The South Carolina factory currently builds the Volvo S60 sedan for Australia, the US and other markets, and will eventually produce the next-generation Volvo XC90 large SUV – a vehicle that, once it launches in 2022, will offer an all-electric option.

Powertrain details for the Polestar 3 have yet to be confirmed, however the Swedish performance brand says it will "debut the new-generation of electric-vehicle architecture from Volvo Car Group, which has been designed from scratch for full electrification."

While the exact architecture that will be used hasn't been named, it's highly likely the Polestar 3 will employ parent company Geely's Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), also set to underpin a future sub-XC40 Volvo 'XC20' city SUV.

The Chinese parent promises the platform can support vehicles from city cars to full-size SUVs, driving the front, rear or all wheels with up to three electric motors and/or a range-extending petrol engine.

Vehicles on the platform can be capable of a sub-three-second 0-100km/h sprint time, along with a maximum driving range on the more lenient NEDC test cycle of over 700km – and given Polestar's performance focus, it's likely it will look to harness the platform's full capabilities.

Above: Geely's SEA platform.

Also set to feature in the Polestar 3 is Volvo's latest infotainment system based on Google's Android Automotive platform, along with "high-end, safety-focused autonomous driving features".

"Polestar 3 will be built in America, for our American customers. I remember the great response when I first shared Polestar’s vision here in the USA and I am proud that our first SUV will be manufactured in South Carolina. From now on, the USA is no longer an export market but a home market", said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath.

An Australian launch for the Polestar 3 has yet to be confirmed, however should a right-hand-drive version of the vehicle be built, Australia's thirst for performance SUVs means a local launch would be highly likely.

The Polestar 3 would follow the existing Polestar 2 into showrooms, which launches as Polestar's first vehicle in Australia in late 2021, ahead of first customer deliveries in early 2022.

As reported by CarAdvice, Polestar is considering a direct sales model through pop-up stores, with Australian buyers likely to be faced with a fixed pricing model.

The 2022 Polestar 3 electric performance SUV will enter production in 2022.