Swedish electric carmaker Polestar has introduced extensive hardware upgrades to its flagship Polestar 3 SUV for the 2026 model year, including a new 800-volt electrical system, faster charging, increased power, and upgraded core computing capabilities.
“The upgrades to Polestar 3 are so extensive, it’s like an entirely new car. With this upgrade we continue to deliver on our commitment to add value for our customers through over-the-air software and hardware updates. The already amazing Polestar 3 is now better than ever,” Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller said.
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The new 800-volt architecture supports peak DC charging rates of up to 350 kW, reducing the 10–80% battery charging time to approximately 22 minutes, a 25% improvement over the previous generation.
The system also integrates new lithium-ion batteries from CATL, with 92 kWh for the Rear motor version and 106 kWh for the Dual motor and Performance variants, while efficiency gains of up to 6% under the WLTP cycle extend driving range.
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All Polestar 3 variants now feature a newly developed rear permanent magnet synchronous motor paired with an asynchronous front motor. The Performance variant produces a combined 500 kW of power. Front motors on dual setups can automatically disconnect when not required, improving everyday efficiency, while software refinements and updated anti-roll bars enhance driving dynamics.
The vehicle’s core computing system has been upgraded from the NVIDIA Xavier to the DRIVE AGX Orin processor, increasing processing power from 30 to 254 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Polestar said the enhancement enables more rapid management of active safety, battery systems, and sensor inputs, and will also be offered as a complimentary retrofit to existing Polestar 3 owners beginning in early 2026.
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Trim levels have been simplified to Rear motor, Dual motor, and Performance, with updated battery sizing, suspension options, and design cues including seatbelt colors reflecting each variant. Optional packs such as Climate and Prime bundle comfort and driver-assistance features, while upgraded audio and interior finishes enhance the cabin experience. New exterior color Storm replaces Thunder, and interior materials are updated with Bio-attributed MicroTech and repurposed aluminium accents.