Picture: Polestar
Polestar has officially revealed the Polestar 3 electric performance SUV which aims to boost the startup to mass automaker.
“Polestar 3 is a powerful electric SUV that appeals to the senses with a distinct, Scandinavian design and excellent driving dynamics,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO.
“It takes our manufacturing footprint to the next level, bringing Polestar production to the United States. We are proud and excited to expand our portfolio as we continue our rapid growth.”
The Polestar 3 is said to be 489-horsepower and will achieve an estimated 300-mile range. It will also be priced from $83,900. This is a competitive set of figures designed to compete with a wide range of battery-electric luxury SUVs from companies such as Mercedes Benz and Maserati.
The new SUV demonstrates a unique aerodynamic profile, claims the company. A strong focus has been placed on retaining the much-loved hallmarks of an SUV which includes a wide and powerful stance. Features to execute this include a front aero wing integrated into the bonnet, an aero wing integrated into the rear spoiler, and rear aero blades.
“This car has been designed as a Polestar from the start and features new defining characteristics for us – like the dual blade headlights, SmartZone and front aero wing,” continues Thomas Ingenlath.
Polestar has carefully selected where their materials have come from. The company says that the materials have been carefully selected based on their sustainability credentials while not missing out on luxury and premium aesthetics.
The company has also prided themselves on their full transparency regarding its manufacturing, emissions and material impact, a complete life-cycle assessment is said to be completed on Polestar 3 when it begins. Assessments will continue to follow throughout its lifetime to find ways of reducing its carbon footprint.
The Swedish electric car company is still rather small compared to its competitors, delivering just 6638 cars in the U.S for the first nine months of the year compared to Tesla who deliver 390,814.
The Polestar 3 is said to be the first car from Polestar to feature centralised computing with the NVIDIA DRIVE core computer, running software from Volvo cars. NVIDIA’s high-performance automotive platform processes data from the cars multiple sensors and cameras to allow advanced driver-assistance safety features and driver monitoring.
“Our goal was to offer the performance and precision that define all Polestar cars, without compromising the comfort of the daily drive,” says Joakim Rydholm, Polestar’s chief chassis engineer. “To do this, we used new components like the adaptive air suspension to engineer the ‘Polestar feeling’ for this type of car.”
The company plans to begin building the Polestar 3 at Volvo Cars’ plant in China next summer and its South Carolina facility in 2024. The SUV is expected to be seen in showrooms in the U.S., Europe late next year, with the car appearing in the Middle East and Asia Pacific in 2024.
