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2021 Polestar 2: Single-motor variants announced with up to 540km range

The Volvo spin-off's first EV has gained a pair of new models, lowering starting prices and increasing range.


The 2021 Polestar 2 range has been expanded with the addition of two new single-motor variants, trading performance for a lower starting price.

Sitting below the existing all-wheel-drive 78kWh Polestar 2 introduced at launch, the two new Polestar models lose the range-topper's rear motor to become front-wheel-drive, and are paired to a choice of 'Standard Range' 64kWh or 'Long Range' 78kWh batteries.

Opting for the smaller pack allows the front-mounted electric motor to develop 165kW and 330Nm, enabling a "preliminary" driving range of 420 to 440 kilometres on Europe's WLTP cycle, a 7.4-second 0-100km/h sprint time, and a 160km/h top speed.

Meanwhile, the larger battery ups outputs to 170kW and 330Nm, increasing range to between 515 and 540 kilometres according to WLTP protocols – though the 0-100km/h time and top speed remain at 7.4 seconds and 160km/h respectively.

For comparison, the all-paw flagship develops 300kW and 660Nm from dual motors, extracts 450 to 480 kilometres of range from a 78kWh battery, and quotes acceleration and top speed claims of 4.7 seconds and 205km/h respectively.

However, the trade-off for less grunt is a lower price, with the Standard Range and Long Range single-motor models priced in the UK from £39,900 (AU$71,800) and £42,900 (AU$77,200) respectively – that's compared to the flagship's £45,900 (AU$82,600) sticker.

The entry-level Polestar 2's asking price allows it to undercut its main rival, Tesla's £40,900 (AU$73,600) Model 3 Standard Range – though the American EV offers a longer WLTP range (448km), is quicker over 0-100km/h (5.6 seconds), and can hit a higher top speed (225km/h).

The single-motor variants are all but identical to their more expensive sibling, with standard equipment including 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, an 11.0-inch infotainment touchscreen running Polestar's Android Automotive-based operating system, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

There's also an eight-speaker 'performance' sound system, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, over-the-air updates and the Polestar Digital Key, plus a new vegan-friendly embossed textile material for the seats and 3D-etched trim inlays.

Three option packs are available across the range: Plus, Performance and Pilot.

The Plus Pack adds a panoramic glass roof, 13-speaker Harman/Kardon premium sound system, power-adjustable heated front seats with memory, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, heated wipers, WeaveTech leather-like seat trim, and Black Ash trim inlays.

It also adds a Tesla-style heat pump, which captures 'wasted' thermal energy from the drivetrain and ambient heat to power the climate control system, reducing "climatisation load" by up to 50 per cent and increasing range by up to 10 per cent at temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees.

The Performance Pack – exclusive to the flagship 78kWh AWD model – adds manually-adjustable Ohlins dual-flow dampers, four-piston Brembo front brakes, forged 20-inch alloy wheels, and gold detailing on the seat belts and brake calipers.

Meanwhile, the Pilot Pack adds Pixel LED headlights, LED front fog lights, adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assist, rear collision warning, a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert, the latter pair capable of detecting and preventing a collision with oncoming obstacles.

Available single options include ventilated nappa leather upholstery (when the Plus Pack is optioned), plus metallic paint, 20-inch alloy wheels and a folding tow bar.

"2021 is the year in which Polestar 2 will really gain momentum. We launched with a strong offer which has set a great tone for the car. Now, we expand the offering with additional versions – each maintaining its unique design, premium quality and fun driving experience," said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath.

The 2021 Polestar 2 will go on sale in Australia by the end of 2021, with a local launch towards the end of the year expected.

Local pricing and specifications – including whether the new single-motor models will be offered in Australia – will be announced closer to launch.

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Alex Misoyannis

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.

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