Polestar has introduced a complete drive-system refresh for its Polestar 2 hatchback that enhances vary and effectivity. It consists of new motors, a barely bigger battery pack for some variations and, in all probability to place it finest, a change in priorities.
Amid a complete refresh for its drive system, Polestar is switching its single-motor fashions from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive. The change carefully parallels what Volvo introduced final week for upcoming single-motor variations of the associated XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge, which share Volvo’s CMA platform with the Polestar 2.
Battery capability in rear-wheel-drive fashions additionally bumps up 4 kwh—to 82 kwh—versus all-wheel-drive variations—enabling what Polestar hopes to be a 300-mile EPA vary, up 35 miles from the outgoing single-motor model. But regardless of that, Polestar claims that the carbon emissions related to the battery pack’s manufacture is down as a consequence of an improved cell chemistry.
The brand new rear-wheel-drive model now permits charging at a peak 205 kw, reasonably than 155 kw for these different fashions.
2024 Polestar 2
That mentioned, the driving vary of all-wheel-drive variations has improved as properly, now at as much as 270 miles. The corporate says that the entrance motor can now be disengaged utterly when it’s not wanted; it’s used for extra energy and/or traction.
Additional, Polestar says that dual-motor all-wheel-drive variations of the Polestar 2 now have “a rear-drive bias that will increase driving pleasure and efficiency.” Each motors are new, and by subbing an induction motor on the entrance wheels and prioritizing the rear everlasting magnet motor, output of twin motor all-wheel-drive variations of the Polestar 2 has improved considerably—to 421 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque, or 455 hp and 546 lb-ft with the obtainable Efficiency Pack. That reinforces the 0-60 mph time to 4.3 and 4.1 seconds, respectively, from the earlier 4.45 and 4.2 seconds.
2024 Polestar 2
The Efficiency Pack now consists of what was a part of a Plus Pack, with Brembo brakes, 20-inch solid alloy wheels, dual-flow Öhlins dampers, and the Polestar Engineered software program improve that continues to be downloadable to any U.S. dual-motor vehicles.
That’s not as a lot energy as Polestar has been providing with the $1,195 over-the-air software-based efficiency increase obtainable for 2021 via 2023 dual-motor fashions, however it’s considerably extra torque.
Polestar hasn’t but clarified to Inexperienced Automotive Reviews whether or not these motors are the corporate’s personal motors. The corporate is growing its personal motors and battery packs, and plans to have a singular electrical structure in future automobiles.
Whereas the Polestar 2 seems principally the identical, the noteworthy distinction is the totally different front-end look, with the inclusion of a so-called SmartZone, reasonably than a grille, that extra cleanly packages active-safety {hardware} together with the entrance digital camera and mid-range radar.
2024 Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 additionally will get broadened tech and active-safety options for a few of the lineup. All variations of the Polestar 2 add wi-fi telephone charging. Twin-motor fashions now additionally embody blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alerts, and rear collision warnings, in addition to adaptive cruise management, a 360-degree digital camera system, and LED entrance fog lights with cornering help.
The 2023 Polestar 2 at present begins at $49,800 in single-motor type, together with the $1,400 vacation spot price. Whereas a worth hike is probably going, costs haven’t but been confirmed. Polestar says that the 2024 fashions can be found to order now, though the model suggests it’s nonetheless taking orders for 2023 front-drive single-motor vehicles. First deliveries of the revamped 2024 variations will begin later this yr.