Living with the Polestar 2

Polestar 2 Dual Motor 82kWh Long Range Fastback 5dr Electric Auto 4WDE (421 PS) Plus

Over the past few days I have been driving the Polestar 2

The vehicle that arrived at our offices was the Polestar 2 Dual Motor 82kWh Long Range Fastback 5dr Electric Auto 4WDE (421 ps) Plus

Design and Technology.

he Polestar 2 is a standout in the electric vehicle (EV) market, offering a compelling mix of performance, luxury, and sustainability. The Dual Motor 82kWh Long Range variant brings together high performance with an impressive driving range, making it a strong competitor in the premium EV segment. Below is a detailed breakdown of this exciting new model:

Design and Exterior

The Polestar 2 adopts a sleek and futuristic design, with its fastback silhouette adding to the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle. The five-door fastback body style balances sportiness and practicality, providing a spacious cabin and a visually striking profile. The clean lines, signature LED lighting, and minimalist styling give the Polestar 2 a modern yet distinctive Scandinavian look, reflecting its Swedish roots and Polestar’s design ethos of minimalism and elegance.

  • Body Style: 5-door fastback
  • Exterior Lighting: Signature full-LED pixel headlights and rear light bar
  • Wheels: Available with a range of alloy wheels, often seen with aerodynamic designs for improved efficiency.

Interior and Technology

Polestar is committed to sustainability, and the interior of the Polestar 2 reflects this. Vegan materials are used extensively, with recycled materials making up a large portion of the cabin finishes. The interior design is minimalist yet premium, with a focus on driver comfort and intuitive controls.

  • Seating: Vegan upholstery with high-quality fabric or leather alternatives
  • Infotainment: Powered by Google’s Android Automotive OS, it features a large 11.15-inch touchscreen that controls most of the car’s functions. Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Play Store are integrated directly into the system for seamless connectivity. The dash in front of the driver also displays the map making for easy navigation
  • Driver Assistance: Equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and autonomous emergency braking.

Our vehicle included the Plus pack which brings the Panoramic roof, LED front lights, fully electric seats, keyless entry, powered boot and air quality monitor. 

A great feature is the flexible cruise control system, which lets you choose between a speed limiter, standard cruise control, or adaptive cruise control. On the motorway, I find that while adaptive cruise control is convenient for following the vehicle ahead, it can cause your speed to fluctuate when you're in the inside lane, as it automatically adjusts to match the slower traffic in front, resulting in frequent slowing down and speeding up.

  • Speed Limiter: Prevents exceeding a set speed.
  • Cruise Control: Maintains a constant speed set by the driver.
  • Adaptive Cruise Control: Automatically adjusts speed to maintain a safe distance from the car in front.

 

Space and versatility in the boot.

The boot offers plenty of space and versatility with a ski hatch, lift up panel to secure items like shopping and underfloor storage. 

Our model had the auto boot and with a wave of your foot under the bumper the boot opens and closes automatically. 

There is also shortage in the front where the engine would normally be.!! 

Performance and Powertrain

The Polestar 2 Dual Motor variant is equipped with a powerful all-wheel-drive system, boasting 421 PS (approximately 415 horsepower) generated by its two electric motors. This provides exhilarating performance. When you do put your foot down you are thrown into the back of the seat with instant power.

The dual motor setup ensures torque is distributed between the front and rear axles for enhanced stability and grip, making the Polestar 2 well-suited for varying driving conditions.

  • Power: 421 PS (415 hp)
  • Torque: ~660 Nm
  • Drivetrain: All-wheel-drive (AWD)
  • 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h): Estimated at around 4.5 seconds
  • Top Speed: Limited to 127 mph (204 km/h)

Battery and Range

This model is equipped with an 82 kWh lithium-ion battery, which is larger than the standard variant, providing a substantial improvement in range. With this battery, the Polestar 2 Dual Motor can deliver an estimated WLTP range of 300-320 miles (480-515 km) on a full charge, depending on driving conditions, which makes it highly competitive in the EV landscape.

  • Battery Capacity: 82 kWh
  • Range (WLTP): 300-320 miles (480-515 km)
  • Charging: Supports DC fast charging at up to 155 kW, allowing for an 80% charge in approximately 40 minutes.

 

Driving Experience

The Polestar 2 offers a dynamic and engaging driving experience, with its Dual Motor AWD providing responsive power delivery and precise handling. The vehicle's low centre of gravity, due to the battery's placement, enhances stability, especially when cornering. The suspension setup offers a good balance between comfort and sportiness, making it enjoyable on both urban streets and winding country roads.

Safety Features

Polestar takes safety seriously, and the 2 Dual Motor model includes a comprehensive suite of safety features:

  • Pilot Assist: A semi-autonomous driving system that helps with steering, acceleration, and braking on highways.
  • 360-degree cameras for easier parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces.
  • Collision Avoidance Systems including pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Sustainability and Polestar’s Ethos

Polestar is committed to sustainability, with an ambition to make the entire production process climate neutral by 2030. This includes a strong focus on the responsible sourcing of materials and energy-efficient manufacturing processes.

Price and Competition

The Polestar 2 sits in the premium electric vehicle segment, competing with models like the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4

There has never been a better time to lease a Polestar 2 with some great offers on the range Polestar 2 models.

The Polestar range

Polestar 2 200kW 69kWh Standard Range Single motor 5dr Auto 

Official range of 322 miles 

O-62 in 6.4 seconds

Polestar 2 220kW 82kWh Long Range Single motor 5dr Auto

Official range of 406 miles 

O-62 in 6.1 seconds

Polestar 2 310kW 82kWh Long Range Dual motor 5dr 4WD Auto

Official range of 367 miles 

O-62 in 4.6 seconds 

Polestar 2 350kW 82kWh LR DM Performance 5dr 4WD Auto

Official range of 367 miles 

O-62 in 4.2 seconds

Add Plus or Pilot pack to enhance your car

Pilot pack

Preventative, adaptive, aware. The Pilot pack further enhances Polestar 2’s driver assistance and safety features with Pilot assist and Emergency stop assist.
  • Pilot Assist (Lane assist)
  • Emergency Stop assist
  • Driver assistance

    Plus Pack

From the panoramic, noise-reducing glass roof to the high-level interior illumination. From WeaveTech vegan upholstery to advanced air quality technology. The Plus pack contains all the features to further enhance the comfort and convenience of Polestar 2.

  • Full-length panoramic roof, projected Polestar symbol
  • LED front fog lights with cornering function
  • Full power seats including 4-way power lumbar support, mechanical extension and backrest storage nets
  • Vegan WeaveTech upholstery in Charcoal or Slate with Black ash deco inlays
  • Air quality system, including dedicated particulate sensor and air quality app
  • Digital key hardware that connects to the Polestar app, to lock, unlock, and start the car when it detects an authorised smartphone
  • Power-operated with foot sensor
  • High level illumination
  • 407 litres, expandable to 1097 litres with ski hatch, 12 volt connection
  • “Lid in lid” storage with grocery bag holder

Summary

The Polestar 2 Dual Motor 82kWh Long Range Fastback 5dr Electric Auto is a well-rounded electric car, offering an ideal blend of power, range, cutting-edge technology, and sustainability. Its unique design, impressive performance specs, and luxury features make it a strong contender in the electric vehicle market, appealing to those looking for a premium EV with solid environmental credentials and a unique aesthetic.