Polestar Sets Sights on Performance EVs, Aiming to Rival BMW and Porsche
Polestar, known for its electric vehicles, is gearing up to redefine its brand identity by focusing on performance-oriented models. The company is drawing inspiration from established performance brands like BMW M and Mercedes-AMG to create a lineup that emphasizes sportiness and driving dynamics.
At a recent event held at Polestar’s headquarters in Sweden, the company confirmed its intent to make sporty driving a hallmark of its vehicles. “We want to focus a bit more on performance, because that is where we can do even better going forward, on track, on acceleration, but also in terms of being superior to others,” stated Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller, according to AutoExpress.
Polestar, which originated from Volvo in 2017 and is owned by China’s Geely Group, is making strides in the performance sector with its BST (short for “beast”) models. Initially, the BST badge has been applied to limited-production models based on the Polestar 2, but more are anticipated in the future. The Concept BST, introduced in 2024, showcased a track-focused version of the Polestar 6 concept.
Polestar’s Australia CEO recently hinted at the arrival of more BST-branded performance vehicles, indicating potential enhancements across the range. “I think we should expect some BST enhancements to more of the range,” he mentioned to CarSales.
Looking ahead, Polestar plans to release a direct replacement for the Polestar 2 next year, which will not be a crossover. This new model is expected to be a prime candidate for a BST version, aimed at competing with performance models like the BMW M3 EV and the AMG variant of the electric Mercedes C-Class.
Polestar’s move towards performance-focused EVs could introduce models with upgraded suspensions, brakes, wheels, and potentially more power, although the current BST models have not yet seen power boosts. This approach mirrors what brands like Mercedes and BMW have successfully executed, offering a range of increasingly sporty versions.
The company’s strategy aligns with its largest model offensive to date, aiming to launch four new models over the next three years. As Polestar seeks to expand its market presence, this focus on performance could prove pivotal in distinguishing its models in the competitive EV landscape.
Original Story at insideevs.com