Polestar broadens its portfolio for next phase

The Swedish electrified performance startup Polestar began U.S. deliveries of its first mainstream model, the China-made Polestar 2, late last year.

This year, the Volvo-affiliated manufacturer will introduce a single-motor version of the Polestar 2 fastback, lowering the price of entry into the brand by $14,000.

Polestar also is bringing manufacturing stateside to avoid import tariffs and to be closer to U.S. customers. Production of the Porsche Cayenne-sized Polestar 3 will begin in South Carolina — and China — late next year.

Polestar intends to be a global brand, CEO Thomas Ingenlath told Automotive News in June. "So the plan has been to expand our footprint in terms of where we produce our cars," Ingenlath said.

The automaker also plans to introduce a large performance sedan and potentially a compact crossover. To sell the expanding portfolio of models, Polestar expects to have 35 retail stores across the continental U.S. by the end of next year.

Polestar 1: The coupe, based on the Volvo Concept Coupe, is clad in carbon fiber to reduce body weight and improve torsional rigidity by 45 percent. The 2020 Polestar 1 is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged and supercharged engine. The PHEV has a 77-mile electric-only range.

Polestar 2: The battery-electric fastback is powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery and is based on Polestar's compact modular platform, which also underpins the Volvo XC40 crossover. The long-range, dual-motor Polestar 2 features 408 hp and 249 miles of driving range. Late this year, Polestar will introduce a single-motor version powered by a 78-kWh battery that delivers an EPA-estimated 265 miles.

Polestar 3: The five-seat crossover coupe will debut an all-new EV platform. The dual-motor Polestar 3 should have a range of more than 300 miles and offer eyes-off, hands-off autonomous driving capability, once that technology is approved for use. The midsize model will compete with the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi E-tron, with production to begin at Volvo's South Carolina factory in late 2022 and U.S. deliveries to follow.

The Polestar 3 is the "next milestone" for the company, Ingenlath said. "It is an ambitious car and will show where we are headed with this brand," he said.

Precept: The performance sedan could arrive by late 2024. The interior will showcase seat material made from recycled plastic bottles and cork vinyl. Interior panels are made with flax-based composites. The Precept will feature the next generation of Android Automotive, which will have advanced eye-tracking and proximity sensors to deliver information.

Compact crossover: A Porsche Macan- sized model is under discussion but has not yet been approved for development.