2020 Polestar 1 debuts, 600 HP and 738 LB-FT Carbon Fiber Coupe!
10-17-17, 07:11 AM
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
2020 Polestar 1 debuts, 600 HP and 738 LB-FT Carbon Fiber Coupe!
SHANGHAI -- Polestar, the performance badge formerly part of Chinese-owned Volvo Cars, debuted Tuesday as a stand-alone electrified vehicle brand with the unveiling of the Polestar 1.
The muscular hybrid boasts a range of 93 miles on a full charge, 600 hp and about 738 pounds-feet of torque. Polestar plans to begin production in two years. The two-door performance hybrid kicks off a line of electrified vehicles that will be sold online as part of a two- to three-year subscription model.
Volvo and its parent, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, said they are initially investing about $752 million (640 million euros) in Polestar, mostly for an assembly plant in China.
"The Polestar 1 bridges today's technology with the future, offering the perfect drivetrain for a Grand Touring Coupe that's likely to be used over longer distances as well as shorter, faster, enjoyable journeys," Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said in a statement. "All future cars from Polestar will be electric performance vehicles."
Ingenlath is Volvo’s former design chief who oversaw the brand's recent styling renaissance.
The forthcoming Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 will be full battery-electric vehicles, the company said. The Polestar 2 will be a midsize sedan expected to compete with the Tesla Model 3, and the Polestar 3 will be an SUV, priced between the Polestar 1 and the Polestar 2.
The company expects to finish construction on an assembly plant in Chengdu, China, in mid-2018, and production of the Polestar 1 will begin a year later. Polestar 2 output is to begin by the end of 2019. Polestar said it will produce only 500 Polestar 1 coupes globally a year, and customers can preorder the vehicle starting Tuesday.
Performance hybrid
Though it has been spun off as an independent brand, Polestar will operate under Volvo, which was bought by Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010. The Polestar 1 shares technology and much of its styling -- such as the Thor's hammer headlights -- with Volvo vehicles. The coupe is also based on Volvo's scalable platform architecture, which underpins the 90 series vehicles and the XC60.
The Polestar 1 features a double electric motor system that powers both rear wheels. The company said it expects most customers to typically drive in pure electric mode given the 93 miles of range, but the Volvo Drive-E two-liter, four-cylinder engine powering the front wheels allows for greater driving distance and performance.
"We consider it an electric car with support from an internal combustion engine," Ingenlath said.
Polestar COO Jonathan Goodman said the company is starting with a hybrid to ease concerns that consumers may still have about transitioning to EVs.
“I think not all people are ready for electrification,” Goodman said in a meeting with reporters. “For 90 percent of people, this range will cover more than they need on a daily basis.”
The coupe is fitted with Ohlins shock absorbers and electronic valves that can monitor road conditions and adjust suspension within two milliseconds of detecting a change. The body of the Polestar 1 is made primarily of carbon fiber, allowing for a reduction of 507 pounds from the original concept and a low center of gravity.
"Performance is far more holistic than just straight-line speed," Ingenlath said. "It's about acceleration, of course, but it's also about cornering, braking, suspension control, chassis feedback and steering feel."
Subscription model
The Polestar sales model echoes Care by Volvo, the subscription service Volvo announced with the introduction of the XC40 compact crossover. Customers can buy vehicles online, and for a no-deposit flat monthly fee, can receive delivery, maintenance, insurance and the option to rent other Polestar or Volvo vehicles. Once the two- or three-year term is complete, Polestar will pick up the vehicle and allow customers to choose a new model. Customers in the U.S. will complete transactions through Volvo dealerships.
Though the subscription model operates primarily online, Goodman said it relies on U.S. retailers to help research new markets and provides an opportunity for dealerships to expand their reach.
“We want retailers to feel part of it,” Goodman said.
The subscription includes on-demand concierge services via a mobile app -- such as installing a temporary roof storage box for a road trip -- that can be added to the monthly fee.
Polestar customers also have access to the phone-as-a-key feature, allowing them to share access to their car with concierge drivers and service technicians, as well as access rental vehicles.
Though transactions can be completed entirely online, Polestar will also operate brick-and-mortar sites outside of Volvo dealerships for prospective customers. The first store is to open in the first quarter of 2019. However, Volvo dealerships will handle vehicle service, the company says.
"Services that exceed the needs, desires and expectations of the premium performance car customer are at the heart of Polestar, removing the inconvenience of ownership and allowing customers to purely concentrate on the pleasure of driving a Polestar car," Goodman said in a statement.
The muscular hybrid boasts a range of 93 miles on a full charge, 600 hp and about 738 pounds-feet of torque. Polestar plans to begin production in two years. The two-door performance hybrid kicks off a line of electrified vehicles that will be sold online as part of a two- to three-year subscription model.
Volvo and its parent, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, said they are initially investing about $752 million (640 million euros) in Polestar, mostly for an assembly plant in China.
"The Polestar 1 bridges today's technology with the future, offering the perfect drivetrain for a Grand Touring Coupe that's likely to be used over longer distances as well as shorter, faster, enjoyable journeys," Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said in a statement. "All future cars from Polestar will be electric performance vehicles."
Ingenlath is Volvo’s former design chief who oversaw the brand's recent styling renaissance.
The forthcoming Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 will be full battery-electric vehicles, the company said. The Polestar 2 will be a midsize sedan expected to compete with the Tesla Model 3, and the Polestar 3 will be an SUV, priced between the Polestar 1 and the Polestar 2.
The company expects to finish construction on an assembly plant in Chengdu, China, in mid-2018, and production of the Polestar 1 will begin a year later. Polestar 2 output is to begin by the end of 2019. Polestar said it will produce only 500 Polestar 1 coupes globally a year, and customers can preorder the vehicle starting Tuesday.
Performance hybrid
Though it has been spun off as an independent brand, Polestar will operate under Volvo, which was bought by Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010. The Polestar 1 shares technology and much of its styling -- such as the Thor's hammer headlights -- with Volvo vehicles. The coupe is also based on Volvo's scalable platform architecture, which underpins the 90 series vehicles and the XC60.
The Polestar 1 features a double electric motor system that powers both rear wheels. The company said it expects most customers to typically drive in pure electric mode given the 93 miles of range, but the Volvo Drive-E two-liter, four-cylinder engine powering the front wheels allows for greater driving distance and performance.
"We consider it an electric car with support from an internal combustion engine," Ingenlath said.
Polestar COO Jonathan Goodman said the company is starting with a hybrid to ease concerns that consumers may still have about transitioning to EVs.
“I think not all people are ready for electrification,” Goodman said in a meeting with reporters. “For 90 percent of people, this range will cover more than they need on a daily basis.”
The coupe is fitted with Ohlins shock absorbers and electronic valves that can monitor road conditions and adjust suspension within two milliseconds of detecting a change. The body of the Polestar 1 is made primarily of carbon fiber, allowing for a reduction of 507 pounds from the original concept and a low center of gravity.
"Performance is far more holistic than just straight-line speed," Ingenlath said. "It's about acceleration, of course, but it's also about cornering, braking, suspension control, chassis feedback and steering feel."
Subscription model
The Polestar sales model echoes Care by Volvo, the subscription service Volvo announced with the introduction of the XC40 compact crossover. Customers can buy vehicles online, and for a no-deposit flat monthly fee, can receive delivery, maintenance, insurance and the option to rent other Polestar or Volvo vehicles. Once the two- or three-year term is complete, Polestar will pick up the vehicle and allow customers to choose a new model. Customers in the U.S. will complete transactions through Volvo dealerships.
Though the subscription model operates primarily online, Goodman said it relies on U.S. retailers to help research new markets and provides an opportunity for dealerships to expand their reach.
“We want retailers to feel part of it,” Goodman said.
The subscription includes on-demand concierge services via a mobile app -- such as installing a temporary roof storage box for a road trip -- that can be added to the monthly fee.
Polestar customers also have access to the phone-as-a-key feature, allowing them to share access to their car with concierge drivers and service technicians, as well as access rental vehicles.
Though transactions can be completed entirely online, Polestar will also operate brick-and-mortar sites outside of Volvo dealerships for prospective customers. The first store is to open in the first quarter of 2019. However, Volvo dealerships will handle vehicle service, the company says.
"Services that exceed the needs, desires and expectations of the premium performance car customer are at the heart of Polestar, removing the inconvenience of ownership and allowing customers to purely concentrate on the pleasure of driving a Polestar car," Goodman said in a statement.
10-17-17, 09:59 AM
#4
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10-17-17, 12:24 PM
#8
Lexus Champion
Is that "600 hp and about 738 pounds-feet of torque" in EV mode or in hybrid (gasoline and electric) mode?
What are the details on the gasoline engine / range-extender? Is it Volvo's super- and turbocharged 4-cylinder engine?
What are the details on the gasoline engine / range-extender? Is it Volvo's super- and turbocharged 4-cylinder engine?
10-17-17, 12:35 PM
#9
Dysfunctional Veteran
Its chinese. Anyone excited about this has probably never ridden in a chinese made deathtrap, let alone owned one. Go to get in the thing and the handle comes off in your hand. Go to plug it in and it will start on fire. It looks nice in pix, but probably wont be worth the tires its sitting on.
no thanks.
no thanks.
10-17-17, 12:56 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Its chinese. Anyone excited about this has probably never ridden in a chinese made deathtrap, let alone owned one. Go to get in the thing and the handle comes off in your hand. Go to plug it in and it will start on fire. It looks nice in pix, but probably wont be worth the tires its sitting on.
no thanks.
no thanks.
Dunno, Josh. Lots of people seem to be riding around in Chinese-built Buick Envisions that are sold here, and not getting killed. Of course, the Envision is a conventional gas vehicle, not an electric....maybe there's a difference.
10-17-17, 01:00 PM
#12
Lexus Champion
one would think however by 2020 that range should be more.
10-17-17, 01:34 PM
#13
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
93 miles of electric range is by far the most on any PHEV vehicle that exists so far. The 2nd Gen Volt being the largest with 53 miles right now. BMW plug ins have maybe 22 miles?
10-17-17, 01:39 PM
#14
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Its chinese. Anyone excited about this has probably never ridden in a chinese made deathtrap, let alone owned one. Go to get in the thing and the handle comes off in your hand. Go to plug it in and it will start on fire. It looks nice in pix, but probably wont be worth the tires its sitting on.
no thanks.
no thanks.
10-17-17, 02:04 PM
#15
Lexus Champion
Although full details aren't available yet, I don't believe this is really the same tech as Chevy Volt, the Chevy Volt's gas engine works mainly as a small generator to create electricity to go back through the battery to drive the electric motor which drives the wheels. This has electric motors at the rear wheels with the gas engine driving the front wheels. But yes, like Volt, there is an all-electric drive capability with hybrid capabilities beyond that range.
93 miles of electric range is by far the most on any PHEV vehicle that exists so far. The 2nd Gen Volt being the largest with 53 miles right now. BMW plug ins have maybe 22 miles?
93 miles of electric range is by far the most on any PHEV vehicle that exists so far. The 2nd Gen Volt being the largest with 53 miles right now. BMW plug ins have maybe 22 miles?
and yes I get the Polestar is different, it is more like the BMW i8 in the that respect (having gas and electric motor driving different wheels), but yeah the basis of the idea is the same, electric for a given range, gas to extend that range. The idea being you can use it as an electric only car for daily work commute as most people average around 50 miles round trip for their daily commute, but you aren't limited like the all electrics, you can use it for weekend trips etc. of 300 miles or more because you have the ability to use the gas motor.
sadly, it will be out of the price range of the average person like most of the other similar type vehicles, the XC90 and the S90 Plug-In Hybrids from Volvo, using similar (if not the same) technology as the Polestar, catch a $20K premium over their gas counterparts, pushing the price of either into the high $90K low $100K range.. Not exactly affordable to the average person.
I looked and priced the S90 Hybrid at the same time I was looking at the Caddy CT-6 Hybrid, both pushing over $85K fully loaded, the Volvo closer to $90K with the "auto pilot" technologies that rival the Tesla Model S, and there is little gain over a $30K Camry Hybrid in terms of MPG.
