Say Hello To The Polestar 1: A 592bhp Hybrid Coupe With Volvo DNA
Here it is, the very first standalone car from Polestar, Volvo’s performance arm. It’s been christened rather underwhelmingly as ‘Polestar 1’, but trust us - that’s the only thing that’s underwhelming here.
Let’s run through the numbers: first off, the Polestar 1 delivers 592bhp from its hybrid powertrain. We don’t have many specific technical details, but interestingly, Polestar refers to the car as an “electric car supported by an internal combustion engine” - the opposite to the norm. Volvo’s familiar 2.0-litre inline-four powers the front wheels, leaving some hefty motors to deal with the rear axle.
This approach means the car has a 93 mile electric-only range - the most of any hybrid car, Polestar claims. Want one last number? You’re looking at 738lb ft of torque from this intriguing hybird powertrain. Should do.
The 1 is based on Volvo’s Scalable Platform Architecture, and owes a lot to the S90 in terms of styling. But, 50 per cent of it is bespoke. It’s made from special stuff, too: the body is carbonfibre to lower weight and the centre of gravity, and it’s been fitted with plush Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension. At the back you’ll find what Polestar calls a “double electric rear axle” with a torque vectoring function.
The car will be built at the Polestar Production Centre, currently being constructed in Chengdu, China. There won’t be a conventional ownership experience here, either - you can only order the car online, and on a “two or three year subscription basis” with no deposit.
The intention is to follow the 1 up with more standalone Polestar vehicles, including a fully electric ‘Polestar 2’ to compete with the Tesla Model 3.
Comments
Polestar 1 sounds like the name of a space shuttle.
“Polestar 1 Preparing for liftoff in T-Minus 2 Minutes”
Polestar 1, preparing to launch in 3,2,1…Liftoff!
Preferably from SpaceX…
… or like a space plane which would crash
inb4 people not getting the SpaceShipTwo joke
Polestar 1 exploded and fell on the ground but everyone’s ok because it is pretty much a Volvo
Looks like a Mercedes/Bentley hybrid
Yeah, except it doesn’t.
Really Polestar, you just change the drivetrain and rebadge a Volvo S90 and call it a separate car? Gimme a break.
Last I checked there wasn’t a coupe-bodied S90 made from carbonfibre, though…
Think about it like a brabus but with more changes
Nice
I SAW THAT SAME CAR UN THE BACK OF A CR TRANSPORTER
Probably an S90 considering the factory this is going to be built in isn’t finished yet.
1000nm in Non-Retarded units
y-retarded units
That’s rather… brutal
FIVE HUNDRED AND NINTY TWO HORSE POWER. OH MY GOD. POLESTAR YOURE INSANE. WAIT. SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT POUND FEET OF FRIGGEN TORQUE. WHAT ARE YOU ONNNN
Petrolhead drugs
Sexy af.
“738 lb-ft of torque”
I feel like the 0-100 time is going to be rather… good.
Tesla: immediate torque and acceleration like nobody else!
Polestar: hold my brännvin
Impressive figures but the interior is garbage the engine is a 4 pot. Even though I’m a Swede, I have to admit we’re nowhere close to the quality of german sports car.
shoves a 5 pot in there
would be way better, an awesome combination!
Hur är interiören skit? 😂