New Polestar 2 Premium EV is Quietly Distinctive.

New Polestar 2 Premium EV is Quietly Distinctive.

The Polestar brand is Volvo’s luxury platform for uniquely-designed and sporty electric models, and the Polestar 2 is the very first car from the Swedish brand to be sold in Ireland. The Polestar 2 is a desirable five-door hatchback with quality, handling and battery technology benchmarked against premium segment competitors, such as the Tesla Model 3. The Polestar 2 sits higher on the road than a saloon car, but it stops short of being a crossover/SUV, while its premium grade battery tech, and comprehensive equipment list will also tempt buyers away from the German premium brands too.

Distinctly Sporty.

It is clear to see that the Polestar 2 is a car from the Volvo family, but it also has a solid, sporty and distinctively Swedish feel of its own. Under the skin lies the same CMA platform that underpins a Volvo XC40, but it has been updated with a unique front subframe for extra crash protection, and there are modifications at the rear to support the heavy lithium-ion battery pack. The Polestar 2 is designed to protect the battery pack during an impact and automatically disconnect it after a collision. On both front ends, a SPOC (Severe Partial Overlap Crash) block is attached to mitigate the crash forces and prevent any material entering the occupant compartment. The Polestar 2 also features a centre airbag to protect from far-side impacts, and it achieved a full five-star Euro ECAP rating when it was tested in 2021. Also standard is a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (Pilot Lite Pack), which includes a Blind Spot Information System with steer assist, Cross Traffic Alert with brake support, Rear Collision Warning and Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pilot Assist, and 360-degree cameras, along with Park Assist (sides) to compliment the standard front & rear Park Assist, providing even better guidance when manoeuvring in tight spaces.

Truly Scandinavian.

The understated design of the Polestar 2 is made up of clean and contemporary lines in true Scandinavian fashion, and it marks the car out as something a little different to the norm. The car has outstanding road presence, and it looks great from every angle, with nice touches such as frameless door mirrors and smart door handles providing extra visual drama. Configuration options for the Polestar 2 consist of a Standard Range Single Motor, and a Long Range Single Motor version, both of which are front-wheel drive, and a Long Range Dual Motor, and a Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack – with all-wheel drive as standard for next-level responsiveness on the road.

Test Car Details.

My test car was a Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor model with an optional Plus Pack, which was finished in stylish Jupiter metallic paint with Charcoal WeaveTech (Vegan) upholstery with Black Ash deco inlays. On top of an exceptionally comprehensive standard equipment tally, Plus Pack brings with it a Harmon Kardon Premium Sound System, panoramic roof, energy-saving heat pump, heated steering wheel and rear seats, heated washer nozzles, boot floor lid-in-lid divider with bag-holding functionality, air quality software, and a 15W inductive charging facility for Smartphones. The comfortable and spacious cabin of the Polestar 2 has a solid Volvo-like feel to the trim. An 11-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment system is the main feature, and it uses a Google operating system with pre-loaded Google Maps for added convenience when called upon. There is plenty of leg and head room on offer throughout the cabin, and a 405-litre boot space behind the rear seats can be expanded to 1,095-litres by dropping the rear seat backs when required, plus there is added storage space under the bonnet too. The Standard Range Single Motor model has an official WLTP driving range of up to 478kms between charges, while 231bhp and 330Nm of torque provides the car with plenty of immediate shove in order to make it feel quite sporty. This power is supplied to the cars’ front wheels in a refined and orderly fashion, with the car feeling precise and very stable at all times. Excellent driving dynamics, along with the low centre of gravity created by the battery placement, enable the car to handle superbly in a very reassuring manner. The Polestar 2 driver can turn on a ‘one pedal braking mode’ if they so wish, and this makes driving pretty effortless, without losing the element of fun contained within. The 0-100km/h sprint can be completed in just 7.4-seconds, with an energy consumption figure of 17kWh/100kms achievable on a combined WLTP driving cycle.

Charging Options.

There are a number of ways you can charge the Polestar 2, from plugging it into the mains at home, charging via a domestic wall box charger, or by way of a public charging station. For example, a 40-minute charge at a fast charging station should be enough to charge the Polestar 2’s battery to 80%. However, charging time doesn’t have to be lost time, as the Polestar’s Android-powered infotainment system turns the car into an office you can work in, a den you can hang out in, and, in the near future, a shop you can buy things in. The car comes with three years of unlimited internet connectivity so you can navigate, stream music and enjoy its other smart functionalities as much as you like.

Accomplished and Highly Commendable.

The Polestar 2 is one of the most accomplished electric cars that money can buy right now. Every details of the car is designed to be quietly distinctive, while its well-appointed interior pairs avant-garde styling with innovative materials for the electric age we are living in. Seamless connectivity, outstanding performance, and terrific driver engagement, along with cutting-edge safety technology and handsome styling should be enough to shoot the new Polestar 2 right to the top of ever-expanding EV hatchback market. Pricing starts at just €51,135 (inclusive of a €3,500 SEAI grant – if applicable). Also included is a 3-year vehicle servicing plan, a 3-year/96,000km vehicle warranty, an 8-year/160,000km battery warranty and a 3-year roadside assistance package.

Visit www.polestar.com for further information.