Donal Byrne examines Polestar's two new models and the innovative changes they've introduced.
Innovative tech is more or less the required norm for car manufacturers these days, but I don't think many were expecting Polestar to ditch the rear windscreen - or indeed the traditional rear view mirror in one of its latest models.
The company has taken things to a new level by developing cameras that replace both of these features on the Polestar 4 and the driver relies instead on imagery rather than normal vision. It’s all a little unnerving at first, as you adjust your vision and essentially see into the car behind you - it’s that sharp. However, the folks behind you can't see into your car as there's just an opaque covering.
The total number of external cameras is nine, and you can have more as an extra option.
The combination of this kind of tech and the Scandinavian minimalism that defines the car is what Polestar hopes will attract more buyers anxious to be ahead of the curve, but who also have the pockets deep enough to afford it.
There are two new Polestar models now on sale here - the Polestar 3 and the Polestar 4.
The 3 has been designed as a kind of hybrid sports car and SUV, although at just 1.6 metres high it doesn’t fit any traditional SUV mould. Its competition are cars like the BMW iX, the Porsche Cayenne and the Audi Q8 e-tron.
Unlike the others, the car majors on a sleek and low profile design combined with very generous interior space. There’s more technical innovation in that design. There’s a front aero "wing" that allows air to flow more smoothly over the bonnet and over the roof of the air to decrease resistance. There’s also a roof spoiler.
Inside, the ambience is cool and there's an air of quiet refinement. Everything centres around the Google screen, which is predictably crisp in its display. The problem, however, is that virtually anything you need to do in the car - adjust wing mirrors or settings - has to be done through the screen.
This creates distraction. Polestar isn’t the only manufacturer driving almost every function through a screen these days and I predict it’s not going to be in the distant future before we have a return to conventional buttons for key features.
Also we right-hand drive folk have to use our left hands to make these adjustments, which is even more distracting.
A major advancement is a significant capacity 111 kWh battery, one of the biggest around. Polestar says the long range dual motor version will get you a range of 631km.
However, the usual caveat applies to claimed ranges until we have a longer time with the car.
All wheel drive is a useful addition.
For this kind of technical innovation and standard levels of equipment, the prices can be eye-watering. You’re looking at a starting price of €93,200 and then more, depending on your choice of extras.
The Polestar 4 is the more compact car, described again as an SUV but it isn’t in the conventional sense. It’s aimed at cars like the Porsche Macan and the Mercedes GLC coupe.
Like the 3, it is a heavy car - about 2.5 tonnes - and has a big battery. The 4, Polestar claims, will return a 620km range.
It has an impressive interior, with adjustable rear seats and a spacious, bright and uncluttered atmosphere. The rear seats are especially comfortable for two but the middle seat is a little cramped.
It’s extremely fast, with a capacity to go from 0 to 100 KPH in under four seconds which is very impressive but has no sensible application whatsoever.
The single motor version starts at €68,600, while the long range dual motor version costs €76,200. You can have another version for €80,250 if you want all the bells and whistles imaginable.
Both the 3 and 4 have the lengthy list of safety features you would expect from cars that share Volvo platforms. We’ll have more on both cars in the near future.
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