TRIED & TESTED
Polestar 2 MY24
A new Polestar is born – and this one offers an increased driving range, faster charging and rear-wheel drive. By John Challen
TRIED & TESTED
Polestar 2 MY24
A new Polestar is born – and this one offers an increased driving range, faster charging and rear-wheel drive. By John Challen
When it comes to startups there are some impressive success stories in the automotive business. Polestar might have the backing of its Chinese parent company – and the invaluable industry experience from Volvo – but it's still doing the hard bit on its own: winning over drivers. The UK is now home to more than 17,000 Polestar cars and numbers are up 80% (year-on-year) and 142% (month-on-month for May). There are the likes of the all-new Polestars 3 and 5 to come in the near future but for now drivers can enjoy an enhanced Polestar 2, which has had a makeover, four years after it was launched.
The headline numbers illustrate some impressive upgrades. Polestar 2 now has a theoretical driving range of 406 miles (WLTP) and the ability to charge at up to 205kW (from 155kW). Full disclosure – that’s the output for the long range, single motor model; the figures for the standard car are 135kW and up to 331 miles of driving range.
Elsewhere, there’s a larger, 82kWh battery in the long-range versions; the standard car retains a 69kWh component. But the battery tech spec doesn’t stop there – the updated cells benefit from a redesigned battery disconnect unit, upgraded busbars and improved cell chemistry.
Delve a bit deeper into the detail and other styling improvements have been made. The Polestar SmartZone – first seen on the 3 – makes an appearance at the front and contains active safety technology including the car’s front-facing camera and mid-range radar unit. Meanwhile, new wheels are another addition for those who go for the Polestar 2’s performance pack. Choosing these options means drivers will also have up to 469hp, enough to propel the car from 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds.
Before considering the options list, the standard spec has been given a boost, with Polestar aiming to “increase overall value as well as convenience”. In reality, that means driver awareness technology – including blind spot assist, cross traffic alert and rear collision warning and mitigation – comes with all 2s. Other standard kit includes a 360° camera, automatic dimming exterior mirrors and wireless phone charger.
More rear-wheel drive capabilities come to the Polestar 2 with the MY24 version’s single motor variants, with power being delivered via a newly developed permanent magnet motor and silicon carbide inverter. The long-range, single motor version of the car now has 299hp and 490Nm of torque, helping to hit 62mph from a standstill in 6.2 seconds (1.2 seconds quicker than the previous model).
Moving up the range, the dual-motor version has a rear-drive bias, to make the Polestar 2 more of a driver’s car. The result in the 421hp and 740Nm model is improved traction, efficiency and – obviously – performance: 0-62mph takes just 4.5 seconds now.
Overall, Polestar says that the new 2 is 22% more efficient that the outgoing model – thanks largely to the new motor options throughout – and also has a reduced carbon impact. Even though the batteries are larger and the motors are more powerful, carbon emissions for the 82kW battery versions have dropped by 1.1 tonnes to 5.9 tonnes. While it might not have a direct impact on businesses and their costs right now, it is still evidence of Polestar’s designs on net zero.
Which model is right for you?
There are four different options of Polestar 2 to choose from, based around the different power outputs of the car. In terms of spec, the interior has been pretty much carried over from the previous car, with some additions to the standard features around driver awareness and improved usability, alongside extra items such as wireless charging.
The range starts with the Standard Range Single Motor, which is now rear-wheel drive. This model features a 69kWh battery, charging speed of up to 135kWh and a driving range of up to 331 miles.
Move up to the Long Range Single Motor (also RWD) and there’s a bigger battery (82kWh) and faster charging speed of 205kW. Drivers also benefit from more power than the standard range (299hp compared with 272hp), while the 490Nm of torque remains the same.
The Long Range Dual Motor offers the same battery and charging speeds as the single motor variant, but driving range is reduced to 367 miles. The trade-off is extra performance and drivers will have 421hp and 740Nm on tap here. Add in the performance pack to this model and there’s even more power (476hp) and the same driving range.
“The headline numbers illustrate some impressive upgrades. Polestar 2 now has a theoretical driving range of 406 miles (WLTP) and the ability to charge at up to 205kW”
EXPERIENCE
Polestar2 MY24
VERDICT
Inside and out there are a lot of improvements with the Polestar 2 MY24 – the addition of the SmartZone, er, smartens up the front end and there’s clearly been a lot of effort made under the surface to improve the driving experience. It’s a success, to a point, because the extra driving range is welcomed, as is the power on tap – even without adding in the optional performance pack. Where it does fall a little short is the driving experience, when compared to a BMW i4, for example. The new 2 is a big step forward, but the car is pretty stiffly sprung and feels heavier than a lot of its rivals.
However, the Polestar brand has a lot of credit in the bank – and a lot of willing future and current drivers – and it will have no problem finding more with this latest arrival.
