2020 Polestar 2 unveiled
All-wheel drive electric liftback targets the Tesla Model S as the Swedish spin-off brand goes mainstream.
Polestar has unveiled the car it hopes will take down the Tesla Model 3 overnight, in the form of the 2. It's stayed true to its original concept, too, with a design heavily inspired (almost entirely inspired, in fact) by the Volvo Concept 40.2.
On the inside, the Polestar 2 has a dashboard design that's quite different from the Volvo XC40, with a free floating portrait-orientation 11.0-inch touchscreen dominating the cabin.
Running on Google's Android operating system, the infotainment system has built-in Google Maps, natural language recognition via Google Assistant, and access to the Google Play Store for music and app downloads.
Unsurprisingly Polestar's new electric liftback is based on Volvo's Compact Modular Architecture, currently used by the XC40 and the Lynk & Co model range.
There are two electric motors, one for axle, generating a total of 300kW of power and 660Nm of torque. Polestar claims the 2 is capable of completing the 0-100km/h dash in under five seconds.
Equipped with a 78kWh battery, the Polestar 2 should have a driving range of around 500 kilometres under the WLTP cycle.
A Performance Pack improves handling via new Öhlins dampers, a Brembo braking package, and 20-inch forged alloy wheels. It also includes gold brake calipers, seat belts and valve caps.
When the Polestar 2 Launch Edition goes on sale in Germany it will be have a starting price of €59,900 ($94,800). Later versions will lower the entry point to €39,900 ($63,300).
Currently the cheapest Tesla Model 3 variant in Germany retails for €54,400 ($86,100) with a range of around 560km, and a 0-100km/h time of 4.8 seconds.
Australia
Production of the Polestar 2 is scheduled to begin in early 2020 at the company's factory in China. The vehicle will be produced in both left- and right-hand drive.
The initial launch markets will be Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the UK, and the US.
Polestar says "other markets are under consideration for future expansion".
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