Polestar has officially launched the long awaited Polestar 3 electric SUV to expand its sales and presence in the global electric vehicle market.
At 192.9 inches long and 64 inches tall, the Polestar 3 is slightly shorter and lower than a Porsche Cayenne, and its 117.5-inch wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than the Cayenne’s.
The Polestar 3 is a five-passenger electric EV that the company describes as a “performance SUV” that comes with a 111 kilowatt-hour battery and dual motor configuration that produces up to 517 horsepower with an WLTP estimated range of 610 km.
The battery can be topped up from 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes thanks to the car’s 250kW charging capability, and there’s bi-directional charging to feed power back into the grid.
“The Polestar 3 is a powerful electric SUV that appeals to the senses with a distinct, Scandinavian design and excellent driving dynamics,” said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar. “It also takes our manufacturing footprint to the next level, bringing Polestar production to the United States. We are proud and excited to expand our portfolio as we continue our rapid growth.”
This electric SUV is equipped with the latest technology, including Nvidia computers running advanced driver assistance software.
Only one version of the Polestar 3 will be available at launch, although cheaper trims are expected to follow.
The optional “Pilot Package” will add the Luminar lidar unit and other sensors needed for autonomous driving, which the Polestar hopes to become available in the future via an over-the-air update.
At around $84,000 the Polestar 3 will be a serious competitor to the Tesla Model Y, which costs around $70,000 in a similar dual-motor trim. Another potential rival, the all-electric BMW SUV iX, starts at around $85,000.
Materials used inside Polestar 3 have been selected for their sustainability credentials, while raising premium aesthetics and luxury tactility. These include bio-attributed MicroTech, animal welfare-certified leather and fully traceable wool upholsteries.
The infotainment system is powered by a next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. As a central component of the Snapdragon Digital Chassis – a comprehensive set of open and scalable cloud-connected automotive platforms – the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform will be utilized to provide immersive in-vehicle experiences with its high-performance capabilities to deliver high-definition displays, premium quality surround sound and seamless connectivity throughout the vehicle.
A panoramic sunroof, a hands-free electronic liftgate, rain-sensing wipers, automatic three-zone climate control, heated front seats and phone-as-key connectivity all come as standard. Like with the Polestar 2, the first model year of the Polestar 3 will come with two packages that will be made optional later on.
The Plus Pack adds a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system with Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound, a fancier air filtration system, diamond-cut 21-inch wheels, a powered steering column, soft-close doors, an infrared windshield, and heating for the steering wheel, rear seats and windshield wiper blades.
The Pilot Pack includes a head-up display, parking assist and Volvo’s Pilot Assist, which provides steering assist for the adaptive cruise control at up to 80 mph. In addition to the extra power, the Performance Pack also includes 22-inch wheels, sportier chassis tuning, Swedish Gold accents inside and out, and a range-optimization drive mode.
The Polestar 3 will be built in China, starting next year. Meanwhile production in the US will take place at Volvo Cars’ South Carolina plant from mid-2024. Deliveries are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Polestar targets to deliver 50,000 electric vehicles globally by 2022. As of the third quarter, Polestar has delivered around 30,400.
Polestar 3 photos
Polestar 3 specifications
