Polestar One is the first model from the standalone performance brand of Volvo; claimed to have the longest all-electric range for hybrid car
After a wide range of speculations and renderings, the really deal was finally unveiled back in October 2017. The first product from Polestar as standalone electric performance brand broke covers as the ‘One’ graced the public during a special event in Shanghai, China. It has now made its European debut at the ongoing 2018 Geneva Motor Show.
The two-door GT with 2+2 configuration extracts power from a ‘Electric Performance Hybrid’ which is good enough to develop a maximum power of 600 hp and a massive 1000 Nm peak torque. The Polestar One sits on Volvo’s Platform Architecture (SPA) and is claimed to be 50 percent brand new developed from its in-house engineers.
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Polestar has clearly been trying to make a statement with the One performance coupe and distinguish itself from the regular Volvo range. For instance, it gets full carbonfibre bodywork with improved torsional stiffness of 45 percent while the lightweight nature will make it a better handler on paper.
Apart from the brand new Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi), power is fed to the the rear wheels through two electric motors. They enable torque vectoring for maximum grip during cornering and at high speeds. The familiar Volvo’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E engine moves the front axle.
Also Read: Upcoming Polestar Electric Sedan To Rival Tesla Model 3
The rear axle running electric motors alone produces 218 horsepower and they help achieve an electric range of 150 km – making it the most fuel-efficient hybrid model considering just the all-electric range. The weight distribution from front to rear is 48:52 while the 400 mm discs from Akebono feature six-piston calipers.
It is confirmed by Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar that all future cars from Polestar will feature a fully electric drivetrain. The production version will hit global markets in the middle of 2019 from the new Polestar Production Center in Chengdu, China. The construction of the facility is expected to be completed this year.
Also Read: Volvo Reveals New Logo for Polestar; Makes it Standalone Performance Brand
The sales system will also be different for the Polestar models as it will be undertaken via subscription with cars being ordered 100 percent online in two or three year basis. With no deposit, the subscription policy will involve all aspects of delivery, servicing and insurance for monthly fee. An online concierge service is also available through mobile app.
It’s been reported that due to the difficulties in production, the Polestar One will be limited to just 500 unit per year but if demands are high there might be change in plans. Based on the shortened version of the steel platform underpinning the flagship S90 sedan, its carbon fibre body will be bonded on to the chassis structure and this process is said to consume considerable amount of time. It is also reportedly deemed expensive.
Interested customers can order the One performance coupe right away and it can be fully bought for around 150,000 euros (approx. Rs. 1.20 crore) as well. Following the One will be the production Polestar 2 by 2019 as the first battery powered sedan, rivaling Tesla Model 3, from the entire Volvo division. A mid-sized all electric SUV is expected to come after that with the Polestar 3 moniker and it will compete against the Tesla Model X.
Polestar One Images
