Polestar 3 SUV revealed

POLESTAR has officially revealed its first SUV, the Polestar 3, combining sleek aerodynamics, minimalistic Scandinavian design, and a fair wack of performance.

The performance-focused SUV will be available for order from the second quarter of 2023 with deliveries expected towards the end of the year, and Polestar has offered an indicative Australian price starting from $135,000 plus on-road costs.

The aerodynamics, Polestar says, were a big focus while still retaining the look of a traditional SUV – albeit a muscular one. Use of a front aero wing integrated into the bonnet, a rear roof spoiler, and rear ‘aero blades’, combine to form a dominant SUV that in many ways looks sportier than the Polestar 2.

“Polestar 3 is a powerful electric SUV that appeals to the senses with a distinct, Scandinavian design and excellent driving dynamics,” said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. 

“This car has been designed as a Polestar from the start and features new defining characteristics for us – like the dual blade headlights, SmartZone and front aero wing.”

Performance comes courtesy of a dual-motor setup and rear-biased torque split, which sounds promising with 360kW/840Nm on tap in the standard model, and 380kW/910Nm if buyers opt for the Performance Pack. 

The Performance Pack will also include tweaks to the air suspension, unique 22-inch forged alloy wheels, as well as the power bump.

The Polestar 3 will go from 0-100km/h in 5.0 seconds, or 4.7 seconds with the Performance Pack, and onto a top speed of 210km/h.

Brembo four-piston stoppers up front, and a standard single-piston rear caliper setup, alongside regenerative braking, should provide ample pull-up for the Polestar 3.

Polestar has fitted dual-chamber air suspension as standard, offering a mix of comfort and dynamic settings, with on-the-fly damping adjustments every two milliseconds. Also buried within the specifications, is a 50:50 weight distribution.

“Our goal was to offer the performance and precision that define all Polestar cars, without compromising the comfort of the daily drive,” said Polestar chief chassis engineer, Joakim Rydholm. 

“To do this, we used new components like the adaptive air suspension to engineer the ‘Polestar feeling’ for this type of car.”

Adjustable one-pedal driving is available in the new model, much like the car-makers other models, as well as an electric torque vectoring dual clutch on the rear axle. Polestar says the rear axle is an evolution of the setup in the Polestar 1. 

A 111kWh battery pack provides juice, and Polestar claims a WLTP driving range of 610km, with bidirectional charging functionality allowing future potential for vehicle-to-grid and plug-and-charge capabilities. 

A frugal front-wheel-drive mode is also available, allowing the rear motor to be decoupled to save energy and enhance range.

Polestar says the materials used inside the new model are sustainable and include a mix of bio-attributed MicroTech, animal welfare-certified lather, and fully traceable wool upholsteries.

The infotainment system will be powered by a next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies, providing a high-tech cabin experience with features like high-definition displays, premium surround sound and connectivity throughout the vehicle.

A 14.5-inch display will feature front and centre, running the Android Automotive OS, co-developed with Google, an evolution of what is in the Polestar 2.

The advanced driver assistance system, as standard, includes five radar modules, five external cameras, and 12 external ultrasonic sensors.

Production is planned to start at the Volvo Cars facility in Chengdu, China, although additional manufacturing at Volvo Cars’ South Carolina facility in the United States will follow from the middle of 2024.

Australian customers have been able to register their interest online from 13 October.