Polestar 5 edges closer to production

POLESTAR has confirmed that its forthcoming Polestar 5 battery-electric four-door GT will feature a brand-new, bespoke, bonded aluminium platform. 

The lightweight and rigid architecture is said to offer “superlative performance and environmental advantages” over traditional steel monocoques, Polestar says. The Swedish marque’s 280-strong team of former Formula 1, low-volume and bespoke sportscar engineers is crafting a mass-produced platform that will do away with the labour-intensive production methods of the past.

Polestar says it has devised an entirely new – and notably faster – manufacturing process through which the 5’s body and platform can be developed simultaneously. The 5’s body-in-white is expected to weigh less than that of cars in smaller segments, which should contribute to improved efficiency (real-world EV range) and dynamic responsiveness, while delivering leading safety levels. 

The process may also facilitate faster product introductions and higher build quality, the firm adds.

“Our UK research and development team is one of Polestar’s greatest assets,” Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said.

“Their mix of engineering and technological expertise enables us to develop advanced, lightweight sports car technology with a creative mindset and a spirit that embraces innovative engineering. This will set Polestar apart in the years to come.”

In developing its bonded aluminium technology for the Polestar 5, the company was able to produce a four-door GT car with superior torsional rigidity to traditional sports- and supercars.

Polestar’s head of research and development Pete Allen said the decision to develop a bespoke platform has also enabled the brand to deliver a production model that remains true to the 2020 Precept concept car that inspired it.

“We knew we wanted this car to be lightweight, we knew we wanted it to be high quality and we knew we wanted it quickly,” he said. 

“This architecture delivers outstanding dynamic and safety attributes, with low investment technology applicable to high production volumes.”

Mr Allen said that development of the Polestar 5 continues “at pace”, with 500 engineers expected to be working on the project over the coming months. 

Polestar first teased images of its forthcoming GT in November last year, when it released a YouTube video series titled Precept: from Concept to Car (see link below for more information).

The web series follows the process of the 5’s development, with the latest episode previewing more of the final design of the production model, which is due in showrooms globally from 2024.

“With the Precept documentary series, we are intentionally doing something that car companies usually don’t do – going behind the scenes with transparency as we turn this stunning concept car into production reality,” Mr Ingenlath said previously.

“It really makes me very proud to see how much of the concept car’s design is making it into the Polestar 5. It’s a great achievement by our designers and engineers alike.”

The athletic design language of the Polestar 5 takes some of the visuals seen on the Polestar 3, and although the process is ongoing, it is evident that the car will receive a re-sculpted rear end, more steeply raked roofline, and different sill skirts to those of the original concept.

The Swedish EV will use a considerable proportion of reclaimed and recycled materials in its final form, including cork-based vinyl, flax-based composites, reclaimed fishing nets, and recycled PET bottles. 

Polestar says the 5 is “an electric performance four-door GT car” meaning it will compete with the likes of the Audi e-tron GT, Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz EQS and Tesla Model S, but has not yet revealed specification, output, or pricing details of the upcoming model.

Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, the premium EV brand launched in 2017 as an independent venture co-owned by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co (ZGH) and the Volvo Car Group. To date it has released its Chinese-made Polestar 1 (2017) and Polestar 2 (2019) with the Polestar 3 and 4 expected to arrive in 2022 and 2023 respectively.