TOP EV NEWS #1 – POLESTAR VS TESLA
Volvo’s performance brand Polestar digitally revealed the Polestar 2 which will be unveiled at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show next week. Similar to its competition, the Tesla Model 3 the Polestar 2 is a 5-door fastback pure electric car.
The Polestar 2 Drivetrain
The Polestar 2 is equipped with a 27 module 78 kWh battery situated under the floor of the car, delivering a targeted range of 500 km (WLTP) or 275 miles (EPA). The Chinese version of the Polestar 2 only gets a 72kWh battery pack. The drivetrain of the Polestar 2 consists of an EFAD and ERAD electric motors front and rear each offering 150 kW, 330 Nm of torque.
Charging the Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 is equipped with an 11kW onboard charger for AC charging at home or work, and a DC fast charging system enabled for public charging up to 150kW. Drivers can regulate the charge current, the duration, the maximum charge level, and much more in the car or via the Polestar Connect app. The Polestar comes standard with a 7-meter AC charging cord (for normal outlets) while the 4.5-meter AC cord for wallboxes and public locations is an optional extra. Naturally, the Polestar 2 is also equipped with a regenerative braking system, charging itself when applying the brakes by easing up on the accelerator and saving deterioration of the brakes in the process meaning less maintenance cost.
Driver interaction and Safety of the Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 user experience has the driver in mind, starting with the phone-as-key, taking away the need to carry a key freeing up your hands and time when looking for the pesky object when you are in a hurry. Not only does the Polestar 2 wish you welcome and bid you farewell through eliminating patterns which the front and rear lights display when one approaches or walks away the Polestar 2 also prepares itself even when you approach. As you walk up to the car, the Polestar 2 displays pertinent information such as battery status, range, and the time remaining to a full charge once it detects the digital key. Intelligent seat sensors power up the Polestar 2 as soon as you are seated. Because the phone has become such an integral part of our daily lives and integrated into the operation of the Polestar 2 as it offers wireless inductive phone charging in the forward part of the tunnel console.
The Polestar is identifiable from its fastback shaped rear which consists of a 288 LED rear lamp which shines more intensely with stronger braking and the Polestar logo which is projected onto the panoramic glass roof on the inside from the overhead panel. Polestar has partnered with audio experts Harman Kardon to fit the Polestar 2 with a fully integrated sound system to create an immersive, detailed audio environment.
Advanced Driving Assistance and safety is provided by Volvo’s IntelliSafe™ system aided by a front radar, a windshield-mounted camera, and two rear-facing radar units.
Pricing for the Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 takes from the cell-phone industry by providing the car on a subscription basis where ownership more closely resembles phone ownership which consists of an all-inclusive monthly fee from a menu of services, with the option to return or upgrade at the end of your term.
You can now secure your Polestar 2 through a reservation deposit and take delivery of your car in Europe from May 2020 and in Canada and the USA from July 2020. The reservation deposit for the Polestar 2 is €1,000 or £1,000 in Europe and the UK and $1,500 in Canada and $1,000 in the USA. The reservation deposit in Scandinavia is kr 10 000.
Pricing for the Polestar 2 stats at €59,900 in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and the UK. You will pay from $63,000 for the Polestar 2 in the USA before subsidies or $69,900 in Canada. The reservation deposit of ¥ 8,000 can be paid via WeChat in China.
In my opinion, the Polestar 2 is not a bad car in its own right, but it symbolizes the challenge automakers now have as they try an play catch up with Tesla. The Californian based company with a track record of sales and models now profitably produces superior technology EVs in volume at prices far below the main auto companies.