The North American market is poised to welcome a new entrant from Polestar, the electric vehicle manufacturer with a rich heritage. While Polestar might be new to some, its history stretches back to the mid-1990s as a racing team altering Volvos for the Swedish Touring Car Championship. Now, with the introduction of the Polestar 4 (PS4), the brand is looking to solidify its presence in the electric vehicle market.
The Evolution of Polestar
Polestar’s journey from a racing team to a standalone electric vehicle manufacturer is a testament to its transformation over nearly three decades. Initially focused on racing, Polestar transitioned into tuning Volvo road cars. This caught the attention of Volvo Cars, leading to its acquisition by the Swedish automaker. With Volvo later falling under China’s Geely Group’s ownership, Polestar was spun off in 2017 to focus on high-performance electric vehicles, eventually going public in 2022.
Despite this progress, Polestar faced challenges similar to other EV startups that went public early in the decade. High interest rates and a dip in investor enthusiasm for non-TSLA stocks compounded their struggles. Moreover, delays in product development meant Polestar had only one major model, the Polestar 2, until the mid-2024 launch of the Polestar 3 and 4.
Geely’s acquisition of Volvo Cars’ stake in Polestar underscores the importance of the PS3 and PS4 launches in expanding the brand globally. However, Polestar’s dependence on manufacturing partners within the Geely family, primarily located in China, presents challenges due to the 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs in the US. Consequently, Polestar expanded its manufacturing to include facilities in South Carolina, USA, and Busan, South Korea.
Design and Features of the Polestar 4
Polestar’s latest model, the PS4, boasts a sleek design that combines aesthetics and functionality. While the company labels it an SUV, its 6.5-inch ground clearance and 60.4-inch height suggest a hatchback form factor. The design, with its sharp lines and dual blade running lamps—a nod to Volvo’s “Thor’s Hammer”—marks a departure from earlier models that closely resembled Volvos.
The PS4’s interior is equally impressive. The use of monochrome color schemes and innovative 3D knitting techniques for textiles highlights Polestar’s commitment to sustainable design. Notable features include a 10.2-inch driver display, a 15.4-inch center touchscreen, and a 14.7-inch heads-up display with a unique snow mode. However, the touch-based climate control system, which replaces manual air vent adjustments, has drawn criticism.
Advanced Technology and Performance
The PS4 is equipped with 12 cameras for enhanced safety and driver assistance, powered by Mobileye’s EyeQ5 Hi system. This setup supports Mobileye’s Supervision hands-free driving assist, although this feature won’t be available at launch in North America. Inside, the PS4 offers Android Automotive with Google services, and unlike some competitors, it retains support for Apple CarPlay.
Under the hood, the PS4 features a 100-kWh battery pack with the option of one or two 200-kW motors, providing up to 544 horsepower and 506 lb-ft of torque. The dual-motor version accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.
Pricing and Market Position
As Polestar attempts to carve out a space in the competitive EV market, the PS4 is set to start at $57,800 for the single motor version and $64,300 for the dual motor. However, geopolitical trade issues and the potential impact on tariffs remain a concern for the brand’s financial strategy in the US. While the PS4 offers a compelling design and advanced features, it faces stiff competition from established brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Ultimately, the Polestar 4 represents a significant step forward for the brand as it strives for a more substantial foothold in the electric vehicle market. However, its success will hinge on overcoming economic and political hurdles while appealing to consumers in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.
Top Image: Polestar
Original Story at www.theautopian.com