Polestar’s Tesla 3 rival on track for Australia
All-electric Polestar 2 fastback should arrive with $100,000 price tag.
Volvo’s performance electric offshoot brand Polestar has begun production of its all-electric Polestar 2, and the intention remains for the five-door fastback to be sold in Australia.
The 2 has gone on sale in right-hand-drive in the UK, priced from £49,900 ($95,000). This would see it square off here against Tesla’s Model 3 in Long Range ($89,469) and Performance ($99,869) trims.
The all-wheel-drive Polestar 2 uses an electric motor across each axle, promising 300kW/660Nm and a 0-100km/h time of less than five seconds. Range is quoted as over 500km thanks to the 78kWh battery pack made up of 27 modules. A 1500kg braked towing capacity is the highest in the compact electric segment.
An optional Performance Pack including Brembo brakes, Ohlins dampers, 20-inch forged alloy wheels and gold seat belts (really) will boost both desirability and the final bill.
While deliveries are expected to begin in the UK in July, there’s no confirmation when we’ll see the Polestar 2 on our shores. As in other markets, online orders will probably be the only option, but planned “Polestar Spaces” will provide physical viewing and test drive opportunities.
Greg Bosnich from Volvo Car Australia said the intent is to bring the EV here, but not before its launch in ten other global markets. “Plans for other markets including Australia continue to develop and will be announced at the appropriate time,” he said. Initial launch markets include China, the United States, Canada, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the UK.
Alluding to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Bosnich explained: “Certain things have affected business discussions, but still our intent is to bring this vehicle to Australia.”
Bosnich wouldn’t be drawn on potential Australian pricing of the Polestar 2, but he was delighted by customer awareness and support for the electric car.
“We’ve been extremely encouraged by the number of conversations around Polestar in general, and the 2 in particular. It’s new and obviously exciting.”
The five-seater Polestar 2 is 4.6-metres long – similar to Volvo’s mid-size XC60 SUV – with a total of 440L cargo area across the boot and frunk (front storage space).
On the technology fronts it will be one of the first cars to embed an infotainment system powered by Android. Expect embedded Google services such as Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store.
The cabin features a tablet-style vertical 11-inch touchscreen, natural voice control and a “standard vegan interior with progressive textiles that will appeal to the forward-thinking audience who will subscribe to Polestar 2.”
Those interested in learning more will find Polestar’s global page doesn’t yet feature an Australian-specific website, but the data and information on the UK link provides relevant details for right-hand drive cars. Bosnich also suggested speaking to Volvo Car Australia at volvocars.com/au for updates.
While launch Polestar 2 models will be of the high-specification, higher performance and longer range varieties, a cheaper version to compete with Tesla’s Model 3 Standard Range Plus ($67,900) would appear likely at a later date.
