The restyled Polestar 2 has just been made official by the Swedish manufacturer with some interesting new features and big gaps in terms of autonomy for certain versions of this electric car. What to anticipate the restyling of its main competitor this year: the Tesla Model 3.
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The Polestar 2, we have known it for a while now, even if it is still not marketed in France for the moment. Presented in 2019, the Swedish sedan from Volvo’s cousin firm, Polestar, is getting a well-deserved makeover with some interesting changes.
Polestar is historically the performance division of Volvo which was bought by the Chinese group Geely in 2010. In 2017, Volvo and Geely decide to turn Polestar into a full-fledged manufacturer.
His first car caused a stir as it was the Polestar 1, an elegant 600 hp plug-in hybrid coupé. At the end of 2019, Polestar presents the 2, then some time later the manufacturer also announces the 3 which will be an SUV launched this year.
Debut in France delayed
Except that in France, Polestar was banned from selling its cars, as its logo had similarities to that of Citroën and DS Automobiles. But in September 2022, the French manufacturer and Polestar reached an agreement after an unlikely legal imbroglio.
Citroën had wanted to go further, taking the case to Brussels to try to prevent Polestar from selling its cars in Europe. Subsequently, Polestar counterattacked by suing Citroën for plagiarism concerning the design of certain rims. Eventually, the two companies agreed to end these lawsuits, without any details being disclosed.
Since then, the Polestar site has been accessible in France, but only in its Belgian version. Contacted by us, Volvo and Polestar have not communicated on a possible arrival of Polestar on the French market for the moment.
The Polestar 2 prepares its weapons against the Tesla Model 3
While waiting to arrive in France, the Polestar 2 changes and benefits from an overhaul both in terms of design and technique. On the aesthetic level, the changes are quite limited and concern only a few details such as the optics and the inserts of the shields. The 20-inch alloy wheels with the Performance Pack have a design similar to those fitted to the Polestar 3.
The standard equipment is even richer and now includes Driver Awareness, which includes a blind spot detection system with direct intervention on the steering in the event of an emergency, rear collision warning, 360° camera and battery charger. induction for smartphone.
More power
The most important new features concern the powertrain. Versions with a single engine have a power of 300 hp (against 231 hp previously) and the torque goes from 330 to 490Nm. Thus, the Polestar 3 Propulsion can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, which is 1.2 seconds faster than the old version. This update allows it to be upgraded from a Tesla Model 3 Propulsion which, too, should be slightly revised this year.
The versions with two motors develop a power of 421 hp and 740 Nm (against 408 hp and 660 Nm on the previous model). Polestar still offers a version with the Performance Pack bringing the power to 476 hpwith a 0 to 100 km/h shot in 4.2 seconds. This is clearly positioned opposite the Tesla Model 3 Performance.
More than 600 km of autonomy
Two types of battery are offered: a pack of 69 kWh with 24 modules from LG Chem for the Standard Range versions (the same as the old version). And a battery of 82 kWh (against 79 kWh previously) with 27 modules from CATL for the Long Range versions.
The small battery can be recharged by direct current up to 135kWwhile the largest can climb up to 205kW. In fact, it takes 34 minutes to go from 10 to 80% with the first against 28 minutes for the second.
Also taking advantage of the optimization of its electric motors, the single-motor Long Range versions can reach up to 635 km range according to the WLTP cycle, an increase of 84 km compared to the previous model. The Standard Range version, still equipped with a single engine, boasts 518 km range (+40 km), while the Long Range version with two electric motors climbs to 592km (+105km).
France forgotten?
The restyled Polestar 2 will hit the market at the end of February in Europe. In France, we will still have to be a little patient obviously.
Polestar 2 prices have increased slightly depending on the market. The entry-level price is now from 49,990 euros, or a few thousand euros more compared to the Tesla Model 3 which has just been entitled to a sharp drop in prices in its range.
Officially revealed on October 12, the new Polestar 3 is starting to reveal some information about it. In particular, it promises a range exceeding the 600 kilometer mark.
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