For many years, Polestar has been living in the pocket of Volvo as the brand’s performance division, delivering cranked-up versions of existing Volvo models.
They were very impressive, if slightly niche in appeal. However, last year, Polestar decided it was time to go solo as its own standalone brand and its debut model – the not so-imaginatively named Polestar 1 – could be with us before the end of the year.
The two-door performance hybrid will be able to produce a power output of 591bhp and up to 1,000Nm of torque by combining the efforts of a 338bhp two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and rear electric motors offering the equivalent of 215bhp.
A zero to 62mph sprint is said to be possible in under four seconds.
It will also have a battery big enough to drive for more than 90 miles on electric power alone.
Tech like this doesn’t come cheap though, and the £135k purchase price may be too large a lump to swallow for some potential buyers.
Fortunately, it will be offered through a subscription service too, but details on that haven’t surfaced yet.
Although Polestar has broken away from Volvo, it retains some key ties to the Swedish car maker. Volvo has pumped £577 million into the firm and the Polestar 1 uses a lot of tech found in the latest Volvo models, such as its chassis and engines.
Anyone heading to the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 12th-15th) have the chance to see a Polestar 1 prototype charge up the famous hill climb, set in the grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex.
Polestar chief executive officer Thomas Ingenlath believes the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the ideal place to show off the car.
“It’s everything a big car event should be: full of passion, enthusiasm and a chance to get really close to the cars,” he commented.
“The response to the Polestar 1 from the UK and northern Europe has been fantastic and we see this event as a vital part of our continued ‘global handshake’ with enthusiasts and our customers around the world.”
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