Polestar 3. Ferrari-level battery-powered supercar
The Polestar 3 is a large coupe-shaped all-electric SUV with a twin-engine system from the Swedish brand Polestar, presented in the fall of 2022. In 2017, Polestar separated from Volvo, but both brands belong to the Chinese company Geely. Unlike the Polestar 1 hybrid coupe and Polestar 2 compact electric crossover liftback, the new Polestar 3 is an electric SUV, the format in demand today. Additionally, it features a unique design and sophisticated aerodynamics with exterior elements commonly found on Ferrari sports models. Production will begin in mid-2023 at Volvo’s Chinese plant in Chengdu. The estimated price in Europe is 89,900 euros. In mid-2024, the Swedish Ferrari-style battery-powered supercar will begin assembly at Volvo’s Ridgeville, South Carolina plant. Abroad, the SUV will cost from 83,900 dollars.
The young Swedish brand Polestar managed to sell 29,000 cars in 2021, and 30,400 in the first three quarters of 2022. But by the end of 2025, the company plans to sell around 290,000 cars a year. The automaker plans to unveil its new models, including the Polestar 4 midsize SUV in 2023, the Polestar 5 sedan in 2024. The Polestar 6 coupe-cabriolet will be launched in production.
Exterior
The new Polestar 3 received a completely unique exterior, different from Volvo models. The carefully designed aerodynamics are particularly pronounced, thanks to the flattened ‘nose’, the sloping roof and the ‘clean’ body surfaces, the aerodynamic drag coefficient was 0.29. The large SUV is adorned with sporting elements typical of Ferrari-level supercars: a rear spoiler integrated into the hood, side spoilers on the rear bumper and an expanded upper spoiler on the tailgate. Overall dimensions: length 4,900 mm, width 2,120 mm, height 1,627 mm (in Europe – 1,614 mm), wheelbase 2,985 mm, ground clearance 211 mm (in Europe - 201 mm). The body and chassis are made of steel. Each SUV has retractable exterior door handles with proximity sensors and 21-inch wheels (22-inch if you buy the Performance Pack).
Interior
The 5-seater interior, made in a minimalist Scandinavian style (almost no more analog buttons and switches), is trimmed with environmentally friendly materials. The 14.5-inch touchscreen multimedia system is updated remotely by the Android Automotive operating system. The SUV is equipped with the premium Bowers & Wilkins soubd system with 25 speakers. In addition, the basic equipment includes: a panoramic glass roof, electric front seats and all heated seats. Trunk volume is 484 liters or 1,411 liters with the rear seats folded down. At the front is a small additional trunk (for storing charging cables) with a volume of 32 liters. The permissible load on the roof rails is 100 kg.
The new Polestar 3 has received an advanced electronic driving assistant that receives information from 5 radars, 5 external cameras and 20 ultrasonic sonars. An advanced Pilot Pack autopilot is offered as an option (then an Nvidia control unit, a Luminar lidar, 3 cameras, 4 ultrasonic sonars and cleaners for the front and rear cameras will be added). There are two interior cameras, so if the driver suddenly loses consciousness, the vehicle will automatically come to a safe stop on the side of the road. Indoor Radar can recognize activity and sound an alarm if children or pets are left inside a parked car. And until the driver returns to pick them up, the system activates the air conditioning and maintains a comfortable temperature.
Motors
The 2023/2024 Polestar 3 is built on the SEA1 (Sustainable Experience Architecture) electric modular platform, which was developed by Geely for the widest range of battery-powered cars. Curb weight is 2,584-2,670 kg (depending on modification). The permissible weight of the towed trailer reaches 2,200 kg. Even the entry-level version is equipped with a two-chamber air bellows suspension as elastic elements and ZF adaptive shock absorbers. At the same time, the front suspension is double wishbone, and the rear suspension is multi-link. Brembo ventilated disc brakes are 400 mm (4-piston calipers) at the front and 390 mm (single-piston calipers) at the rear.
The output of the base twin-motor system (one motor for each axle) is 360 kW (489 hp) and 840 Nm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h occurs in 5 seconds, while the maximum speed is 210 kph. The model is all-wheel-drive, but when full power is not required, the rear electric motor can be turned off, the SUV then becomes front-wheel-drive. There is also a more powerful Performance Pack version with the return of 517 hp and 910 Nm, which accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, equipped with a recalibrated suspension and 22-inch wheels. A full charge of a 400-volt lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 111 kWh is sufficient for 610 km (according to the WLTP cycle) or 482 km (according to the American EPA cycle). The variation in the driving range according to the WLTP and EPA cycles is too large, so it is better to wait for precise data after certification. The maximum charging power is 250 kW.
The twin-engine version of the electric SUV Tesla Model X accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, develops a maximum of 250 km/h and can travel 580 km on a single charge. Therefore, the Polestar 3 is not a leader... But there is still a trimotor version Tri motor Plaid with a total power of 1,020 horsepower with an acceleration of up to 100 km/h in 2.6 seconds and a maximum speed of 262 km/h. But this version also costs from 120 thousand dollars.
