Electric car maker Polestar has unleashed its fastest ever production car as an SUV coupé crossover with acceleration from rest to 62mph in 3.8 seconds up to a top speed of 124mph.
But it gets rid of the traditional rear windscreen.
The new Polestar 4 was unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show and is expected to cost from £55,000 ($60,000) when it hits UK showrooms early next year, and is positioned between Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 in terms of size and price.
Fast: The new Polestar 4 boasts an acceleration from rest to 62mph in 3.8 seconds up to a top speed of 124mph. It is the Chinese-owned brand’s fastest production model to date
Designers have done away with the traditional rear window. This is said to create a ‘new kind of immersive rear occupant experience’ and allows for the use of unique lights
The five-seater electric performance SUV coupé is the second SUV in the brand’s line-up and includes design cues first seen on Polestar’s concept cars such as the Precept.
This includes eliminating the traditional rear window which, says Polestar, enables a new kind of immersive rear occupant experience and unique lights.
‘Thanks to the elimination of the rear window, the glass roof stretches beyond the rear occupants’ heads, creating a truly unique interior ambience,’ it says.
The Swedish electric performance brand, a spin-off from Sweden’s Volvo, is part of China’s giant Geely group which owns both firms.
The Gothenburg-based company said: ‘Polestar 4 transforms the aerodynamics of a coupé and the space of an SUV into a new breed of SUV coupé’.
A sporty 4-door electric performance grand tourer GT is set to follow in 2024 as the Polestar 5.
Powered by a 400V lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 102 kWh (of which 94 kWh is useable), at launch there are two Long range versions of the new Polestar 4 with either a dual motor configuration on both axles, or a single motor on the rear axle.
The more powerful Long Range Dual Motor version develops 400kW (544hp) and accelerates from 0 to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds up to a top speed of 124mph and a range of up to 350 miles.
Energy consumption is up to 16.8kWh/100 miles.
Powered by a 400V lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 102 kWh, at launch there are two Long range versions of the new Polestar 4 with either a dual motor configuration on both axles (pictured), or a single motor on the rear axle
‘Thanks to the elimination of the rear window, the glass roof stretches beyond the rear occupants’ heads, creating a truly unique interior ambience,’ the Swedish car maker – owned by a Chinese firm -claims
The rear-view mirror is replaced by a high-definition screen that shows a real-time feed from a roof-mounted rear camera
The Long Range Single Motor version develops 200kW (272hp) and accelerates 0 to 62mph in 7.4 seconds up to a top speed of 112mph and a longer range of 372 miles.
A disconnect clutch allows the car to disengage the front electric motor when not needed, to maximise range and efficiency. Energy consumption is up to 14.9 kWh/100km.
Up to 200 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging is included for all versions, and the charge lid is motorised.
The company said: ‘Polestar 4 is the fastest production car the brand has ever developed.’
‘Driving dynamics are true to the Polestar brand – sharp steering and handling responses result in a thrilling and nimble driving experience for all occupants.’
It added: ‘A new drive optimisation function allows the driver to select between range or performance driving modes in the Long range Dual motor version.
‘Performance mode sharpens up responsiveness from the powertrain and engages both motors at all times for full power delivery and best performance.
‘Range mode prioritises efficiency, adapting the powertrain to a calmer style and forces use of only the rear motor.’
Polestar 4 launches first in China, with production planned to begin in Hangzhou Bay, China, in November this year
The ‘soft tech’ interior and materials draw inspiration from the fashion and sportswear industries
Up to 200 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging is included for all versions, and the charge lid on the driver’s side rear quarter is motorised
Wheels range from 20 to 22-inches in size, depending on the version, with tyres supplied by Pirelli and Michelin.
Up to 200 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging is included for all versions, and the charge lid is motorised.
Bi-directional charging is included at launch allowing external devices to draw power from the vehicle.
A heat pump is fitted as standard, allowing the car to use ambient heat when preconditioning the cabin and battery.
Polestar describes its new 4 as a D-segment SUV coupé with a large body and a long wheelbase of nearly 3 metres.
Polestar 4: Will it fit in my garage?
Style: SUV coupe crossover
Price: around £55,000
First UK deliveries : early 2024
Seats: 5
Versions: Long range dual motor / Long range single motor
Length: 4,839 mm
Height: 1,544 mm
Width incl. mirrors: 2,139 mm
Wheelbase: 2,999 mm
Kerb weight: 2,232kg to 2,351kg
Battery: 400V lithium-ion
Battery capacity: 102kWh (only 94kWh is usable)
Motors: Choice of single (rear) or dual (front and rear)
Transmission: single speed with disconnect clutch
Power: 200-400kW (272-544hp)
Top speed: up to 124mph
0 to 62mph: 3.8 seconds
Range: up to 372 miles
Charging time (AC): 0-100% in 5.5 hours (3-phase, 32A)
Charging time (DC): 5-80% in 32 min (200 kW)
Front storage compartment: 15 litres
Rear luggage capacity: 500 litres
Rear cargo capacity: 1,536 litres
Towing capacity: up to 2,000kg
Roof load maximum: 75kg
The company said: ‘The resulting generous interior proportions are especially evident in the rear, where occupants are cocooned in an intimate environment, with reclining seats.’
It noted: ‘Aerodynamic efficiency is enhanced by the low nose, retractable door handles, flush glazing with frameless windows, rear aero blades and air flow optimisation around the rear light bar’.
Adjustable ambient lighting is ‘inspired by the solar system’ and allows the driver to customise the driving environment.
The standard full-length glass roof is available with an optional electrochromic function which allows it to be opaque or transparent depending on the occupants’ mood.
A secondary media and climate control screen is mounted between the front seats to enable rear occupant control.
The rear-view mirror is replaced by a high-definition screen that shows a real-time feed from a roof-mounted rear camera. This digital feed can be deactivated to allow drivers to see rear occupants instead.
The ‘soft tech’ interior and materials draw inspiration from the fashion and sportswear industries, with new colours such as Storm and Electron for the exterior, and a unique interior colour called Mist.
New environmentally-friendly interior materials for carpets include a tailored knit textile which consists of 100 per cent recycled polyester and plastic, along with a special green vinyl that replaces crude oil with pine oil, and animal welfare-secured Nappa leather upholsteries: ‘It is made to fit, producing no offcuts and reduced overall waste’.
Technology incudes an infotainment system with a 15.4-inch landscape-oriented screen powered by Android Automotive OS and the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, as well as Google assist, maps and play.
A Harman Kardon audio system is available as an option with 12 speakers and 1,400-Watt channel-hybrid amplifier. The optional Nappa Pack adds two headrest speakers to each seat with– raising the total to 16.
Apple CarPlay is included.
Regular over-the-air software updates allow new features and improvements to be sent remotely to all vehicles.
Safety features include: up to nine airbags; a SuperVision advanced driver assistance system; with twelve cameras, one radar and twelve ultrasonic sensors fitted as standard.
This includes a driver monitoring camera, which relays data (but does not record video), to monitor the driver’s eyes and head movements to warn of fatigue or incapacitation.
‘Together with hands-on detection in the steering wheel, the driver monitoring system helps to keep the driver actively engaged in driving, as required.’
A 10.2-inch driver display mounted ahead of the steering column includes speed, battery and range information.
To reduce distraction there’s a head-up display (HUD) with a 14.7-inch projection area in front of the driver to display key vehicle and navigation information on the windscreen within the driver’s line of sight. A ‘snow mode’ function switches the text colour from white to yellow in snowy environments.
Special add-on packs include extras such as Swedish gold details for the brakes, seat belts and valve caps.
Pilot Pack adds lane change assistance initiated by the driver tapping the indicator stalk in the desired direction.
Safety features include: up to nine airbags; a SuperVision advanced driver assistance system; with twelve cameras, one radar and twelve ultrasonic sensors fitted as standard
The rear-view mirror is replaced by a high-definition screen that shows a real-time feed from a roof-mounted rear camera (pictured here). This digital feed can be deactivated to allow drivers to see rear occupants instead
The Polestar4 is due to launch in UK from early 2024, so it will be some time before you see ones of these cars on the road
Polestar chief executive, Thomas Ingenlath, said: ‘With Polestar 4 we have taken a fundamental new approach to SUV coupé design.
‘Rather than simply modifying an existing SUV, giving it a faster roofline and as a result, compromising elements like rear headroom and comfort, we have designed Polestar 4 from the ground up as a new breed of SUV coupé that celebrates rear occupant comfort and experience.’
Polestar head of design Maximilian Missoni said: ‘By removing the rear window and pushing the rear header – which plays an integral safety role – further back, rear occupants can have a unique experience in our SUV coupé.’
Polestar 4 launches first in China, with production planned to begin in Hangzhou Bay, China, in November this year. The state-of-the-art Geely-owned factory operates on 100 per cent renewable electricity.
Launches for other markets, including the UK, continental Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, are planned from early 2024, said Polestar.
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