Polestar 5 prototype packs 650kW

POLESTAR continues to drip-feed information about its forthcoming electric four-door GT – the 5 – following the appearance of a prototype model at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed (FOS).

 

GoAuto can now reveal that the svelte Swede has potential peak outputs of 650kW and 900Nm. The battery-electric vehicle (BEV), which is underpinned by an 800V architecture, is expected to lock horns with the Porsche Taycan and Tesla’s Model S when it emerges in production form.

 

The all-electric sports sedan is expected to offer Level 3 (or higher) autonomous driving where permitted, which means it will be equipped with a combination of Lidar, in-car cameras and a multitude of sensors.

 

Polestar took advantage of mass exposure at the Goodwood FOS to gauge public reaction to its new “four-door GT” – as well as the level of performance it can offer. The vehicle was regularly driven up Goodwood hill to highlight its speed in a closed semi-racetrack environment.

 

It was a development prototype of the 5, which started out in 2020 as the Polestar Precept concept and has now moved a step closer to being production ready. The Swedish marque will also use the vehicle’s new-generation platform as the basis for other models in the pipeline.

 

“Polestar 5 is shaping up to be a superb 4-door GT,” said head of Polestar UK R&D, Pete Allen.

 

“The platform combines low-volume performance car attributes with modern technological advances to bring lightweight, high-rigidity sportscar chassis technology into mass production.”

 

The UK team has taken the opportunity of working with a new mechanical platform to design and develop a specialised bonded-aluminium chassis, which is considered “a prime factor in delivering the vehicle dynamics signature to create a driving experience that is as desirable as the design”.

 

Back in Sweden, Polestar continues its development program of the Polestar 5’s powertrain, which will provide superior output courtesy of its 800V architecture.

 

A new rear electric motor, combined with a high-output front electric motor, will enable the powertrain to deliver 650kW and 900Nm.

 

“The new powertrain we are working on will set a new brand benchmark in our high-performing cars,” said Polestar’s global head of R&D, Jörg Brandscheid.

 

“Combining strong electric motor engineering ability with advances in lightweight platform technology is leading to truly stunning driver’s cars.”

 

Polestar ran the 5 up the iconic Goodwood hillclimb twice each day during the event in the “First Glance” group.

 

The model will be fully unveiled in 2024 and is the third of three new BEVs that Polestar is expected to launch in the coming three years, following the Polestar 3 and 4 electric SUVs.

 

Polestar’s YouTube documentary series shows how the brand is transforming the Precept concept into the production Polestar 5 in a lot more detail than what is usually revealed during a car project.

 

Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath, commented: “Polestar 5 is a company-defining project. Its progressive design and advanced engineering set the tone for Polestar’s future. We have great talent on board enabling us to create truly iconic EVs.”