Polestar Archives

Polestar 2 offers advanced lighting technology to drivers

Like Volvo (and Saab), Polestar is a Swedish brand and ‘lives’ in a region with a lot of snow and ice as well as long periods of darkness in the winter months. As such, the cars that it has developed would have received a lot of extra attention relating to grip, stability and of course cabin insulation, among other things. After all, the engineers who go to work daily experience extremely cold and slippery conditions which they would want to ensure the cars they develop are safe in such conditions.

Lighting is also very important, not only to illuminate the road ahead but also make the car visible to others. Even in the daytime, the lighting levels may be low, reducing when it snows. So the designers also pay extra attention to the lighting systems and the Polestar 2 electric performance fastback gets highly advanced lighting technology.

Pixel LED Headlights
For example, the Polestar 2 ‘Launch Edition’ comes with standard Pixel LED headlights, an active high beam technology as well as a ‘welcome sequence’ that activates when the vehicle is unlocked. A total of 84 individual LED pixels form a matrix in each lamp; within this matrix, each LED is controlled individually.

In turn, this allows the headlights to shade out their light in the path of up to 5 leading or oncoming vehicles when in motion. The functionality allows the driver to leave their lights on high beam, enabling maximum forward visibility at all times without blinding other road users, and without having to think about switching between modes.

“When you drive Polestar 2, especially in the dark, you really understand how much this technology increases safety,” explained Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath. “LED lighting also allows for creativity, and the light signatures we have designed are unmistakable. They are distinctive and people will know you are driving a Polestar.”

Front foglights with cornering support utilize energy efficient LED technology and activate automatically at low speeds according to steering or turn signal input, further enhancing visibility when maneuvering the vehicle.

Intelligent rear lighting technology
At the rear of the Polestar 2, the signature rear lighting has no less than 288 LEDs in a distinctive full-width wrap-around light bar, featuring unique welcome and farewell lighting sequences. The rear light bar includes adaptive lighting technology. In daylight, the brightness is increased to ensure optimal visibility of the light signature. At night, the LEDs automatically dim to prevent drivers behind from being dazzled.

Only if regulations permit
Pixel LED technology is available for all markets but only if regulations allow. At present, regulations in the USA do not allow such functionality so the cars sold there will not have it. However, should the regulations change in future, the feature can be activated with a software update. Owners won’t even have to bring their cars to a service centre for this as it can be transmitted over-the-air (OTA) free of charge. OTA updates for other systems can also be provided, ensuring that the car operates optimally all the time.

Polestar 1 production underway in Chengdu, China

Polestar confirms Precept as production model

Polestar, the joint-venture company owned by the Volvo Car Group and Geely, has confirmed it will put the Precept into production. Revealed earlier this year, the Precept started life as a manifesto to illustrate the brand’s future vision and was described as a ‘commitment car’, not a concept car.

Besides showcasing the electric performance brand’s future design direction, the Precept also highlights Polestar’s path for digital technology and the use of innovative sustainable materials, inside and out.

Encouraged by positive feedback
Polestar was encouraged to turn it into a production model after encouraging response from the public.”’We’d like to see it on the road!’ – this is what the press wrote about Precept and the public said, ‘We want it’, so we decided to build it,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar’s CEO.

“Consumers want to see change from this industry – not just dreams. Now, Precept becomes an even stronger statement. We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our cars and our business. The aim has to be climate neutrality, even though I recognize that is a long-term goal,” he explained.

Advanced and sustainable
The interior of the Precept features a mix of sustainable materials including recycled PET bottles, reclaimed fishing nets and recycled cork vinyl. A flax-based composite, developed by external partner Bcomp Ltd., is featured in many interior and some exterior parts. Polestar’s ambition is to bring much of this sustainability into production.

In the model shown earlier this year, the next generation HMI (Human-Machine Interface), powered by Android, was demonstrated. Developed in close collaboration with Google, it features an enlarged, portrait-oriented 15-inch centre touchscreen that complements a 12.5-inch driver display. The two are linked by an illuminated blade that encompasses the entire interior.

Supporting the advancement of a personalised and dynamic digital interface, the instrument panel also hosts an array of smart sensors. Eye tracking will allow the car to monitor the driver’s gaze and adjust the content of the various screens accordingly. Proximity sensors also enhance the usability of the centre display when driving.

The name ‘Precept’ was chosen to emphasise the car’s role in setting out Polestar’s intent as the contemporary electric performance brand. A precept is a manifesto of things to come; a declaration. The car signifies an important milestone for Polestar as a standalone brand, describing a unique design philosophy that remains firmly embedded in Polestar’s brand values: pure, progressive and performance.

To be made in China
With product development underway, Polestar says it will produce Precept in China, where a new production facility will be established. The aim is to ensure the facility will be carbon-neutral and one of the most intelligent and connected automotive production facilities in the world.

The climate-positive narrative was started by a facility in Chengdu. Inaugurated in 2019, the Polestar Production Centre became the first LEED Gold-rated automotive production facility in China and runs on 100% renewable energy. It is producing the Polestar 1 – an exclusive, carbonfibre-bodied Electric Performance Hybrid – for both China and global markets.

Polestar presents high-performance EV of the future – the Precept Concept

Polestar presents high-performance EV of the future – the Precept Concept

Polestar began as a racing team in 1996 and after showing what it could do to Volvos, the Swedish carmaker decided to commission the company to develop performance variants. The potential of such enhanced models led Volvo to acquire the company in 2015 and have a sub-brand which focussed on performance.

Two years later, Polestar’s mission changed as it was tasked to focus on electric cars. Volvo and its owner, the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, provided 640 million euros (about RM2.94 billion) to support the initial phase of product, brand and industrial development.

As a fully consolidated Volvo Cars subsidiary, it would become a stand-alone electrified performance car company. Since then, besides being an advanced technology affiliate for the Volvo Car Group, Polestar has also started to build cars at a new factory in China.

Vision of future direction
Obviously a very forward-looking company, Polestar is looking ahead and its vision of the brand’s future direction is revealed in the Precept concept. A precept is a manifesto of things to come, a declaration. Hence the name chosen emphasises the car’s role in setting out Polestar’s intent as the contemporary electric performance brand.

“Precept is a declaration, a vision of what Polestar stands for and what makes the brand relevant,” said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar. “The car is a response to the clear challenges our society and industry face. This is not a dream of a distant future; Polestar Precept previews future vehicles and shows how we will apply innovation to minimise our environmental impact.”

Minimalistic athleticism and restrained surfacing are evident in the aerodynamic sculpted form of the Precept with proportions that define its presence. A 3.1-metre wheelbase which accommodates a large battery pack gives the 4-door Grand Tourer a very low and sleek silhouette with an emphasis on legroom and headroom in the rear.

No grille needed
Not requiring a grille for cooling, the front end incorporates the Polestar SmartZone, representing a shift from ‘breathing’ to ‘seeing’. The area which once channelled air to radiators and the internal combustion engine now houses technology for safety sensors and driver assistance functions.

Purposefully gathered behind a transparent panel dedicated to intelligent hardware are two radar sensors and a high definition camera. The LiDAR pod, mounted atop the glass roof, is given optimal visibility as a next step towards increased driving assistance. The Thor’s Hammer LED headlight signature evolves with separated elements, taking on a dynamic, more robotic and brand-defining interpretation.

The Precept features an integrated front wing above the SmartZone which accelerates airflow over the long bonnet. This allows air to attach itself to the surface earlier, which improves aerodynamic efficiency and thus improves the car’s range.

At the rear, the wide light-blade spans the entire width of the car, extending into vertical aero-wings – another aerodynamic feature and a nod to lightweight design.

Conventional side mirrors are replaced by camera-based units, each of which extends outwards on an aerodynamic arm. Inside, the traditional rear-view mirror is replaced with a digital screen, the image collected by a wide-angle camera mounted at the rear of the car.

The absence of a conventional rear window means that the Precept’s single-volume glass roof extends behind the rear seats and the tailgate itself is designed with a larger opening and higher-mounted hinges improving access.

Best available technologies
Polestar continues to believe in collaborating with experts to accelerate development and provide customers with the best available technologies. The Precept’s interior is defined by sustainability and offered opportunity to work with new materials and processes. Similarly, the evolution of the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) builds on current partnerships which maximise the integration of expertise.

Sustainable new interior materials balance modern high-tech luxury with reduced environmental impact. For instance, flax-based composites for interior panels and seatbacks offer significant improvements over conventional materials, including up to 50% saving in weight and up to 80% reduction of plastic waste.

The seat surfaces are 3D-knitted from recycled PET bottles, while the bolsters and headrests are made from recycled cork vinyl and the carpets from reclaimed fishing nets. These elements, combined with digital artistry, define a new premium luxury that surpasses the conventions of leather, wood and chrome.

Android-powered connectivity
The next generation HMI, powered by Android, builds on Polestar’s close collaboration with Google. An enlarged, portrait-oriented 15-inch centre touch screen complements a 12.5-inch driver display, and the two are linked by an illuminated blade that encompasses the entire interior. In this execution, the unique Polestar emblem floats holographically inside a solid piece of Swedish crystal between the rear seat headrests.

Polestar 1 production underway in Chengdu, China

Polestar 1 production underway in Chengdu, China

Having received its World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) that makes it a recognised vehicle manufacturer, Polestar is set to accelerate ahead at its first production facility located in Chengdu, China. This new Polestar Production Centre sets a new industry benchmark in electric vehicle manufacture and will produce the Polestar 1 – an exclusive, carbonfibre-bodied Electric Performance Hybrid.

500 Polestar 1 cars are to be built per year, with a total of 1,500 planned over a 3-year production cycle. Construction of Polestar 1 in Chengdu will be followed by production of the fully electric Polestar 2 in Luqiao, China, in early 2020.

Most premium new energy vehicle
The new facility, which was completed on schedule, will produce cars for both China and global export markets with first customer deliveries expected before the end of 2019. The company presents the Polestar 1 as ‘the most premium new energy vehicle to be manufactured in China’. Included in the manufacturing process is a team of highly trained quality control auditors whom, with a minimum of 10 years of experience, apply some of the strictest monitoring and assessment procedures in the industry.

The Polestar Production Centre aims to be one of the most environmentally responsible car factories in China. Designed by internationally renowned architecture and design company, Snøhetta, the new production facility incorporates a customer experience centre including a test track and a glazed atrium offering a panoramic view over the factory floor.

New standards in manufacturing
“Designing Polestar’s first production facility has been a challenging and extremely rewarding project for us,” said Snøhetta’s co-founder, Kjetil Trædal Thorsen. “The innovative design of the interaction scheme aligns creative visionary processes with technical production requirements, setting a new standard for inclusive fabrication facilities.”

“We promised we would have our first production facility built in 2019; we promised cars would be delivered to customers this year, and we promised we would do things differently – once again, we are delivering on our promises. This is a hugely proud moment for the whole team at Polestar,” said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.

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Volvo Reveals Polestar 2!

Polestar has taken the next step in its development as the electric performance brand with the reveal of the new Polestar 2. Polestar 2 is the new all-electric fastback that brings electric performance cars to a broader and increasingly progressive audience. It offers avant-garde design and a unique customer experience in the premium compact electric segment. Polestar 2 is the first electric car to compete in the marketplace around the Tesla Model 3, with the range starting at a guide price of 39,900 euros. For the first 12 months of production, guide price of the launch edition is 59,900 euros¹.

“Polestar 2 is our first fully electric car and first volume model. Everything about it has been designed and engineered with passion and dedication. As an electric performance brand, and through the forthcoming launch of a portfolio of fully electric cars, Polestar is determined to address the world’s air quality challenges. Polestar delivers electric performance cars that are great to own and drive,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar.

Polestar 2 is a premium five-door fastback with two electric motors and a 78 kWh battery capacity² that will enable a targeted range of 500 km³, based on Volvo Car Group’s adaptable Compact Modular Architecture platform (CMA). The 27-module battery pack is integrated into the floor and contributes to the rigidity of the chassis as well as improves the car’s noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels – road noise has been reduced by 3.7 dB compared to a traditional chassis.

Polestar will answer the important question of charging Polestar 2 with a smart, convenient and extensive approach. With a connected digital solution available both in-car and on mobile devices, Polestar is setting up strategic collaborations to give Polestar 2 owners easy and hassle-free access to the world’s largest public charging networks.

For Polestar, performance underlies the entire driving experience. The all-wheel drive electric powertrain in Polestar 2 produces 300 kW (408 hp) and 660 Nm (487 lb-ft). This translates to a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of less than 5 seconds.

The standard dynamic chassis can be enhanced by the Performance Pack that improves driving dynamics with Öhlins dampers, Brembo brakes and unique 20-inch forged wheels. Polestar’s signature gold seat belts, brake callipers and valve caps complete the performance visuals.

Highlighting the technology spearhead role that Polestar plays within the Volvo Car Group, Polestar 2 is one of the first cars in the world to embed an infotainment system powered by Android. The Android backbone provides a solid and adaptable digital environment for apps and vehicle functions to coexist, and brings embedded Google services to a car for the first time – including the Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store⁵. Natural voice control and a new 11-inch touch screen display bring the new interface to life.

Phone-as-Key technology enables car sharing and a more integrated ownership experience, as well as Polestar’s connected services such as pick-up and delivery. It also allows Polestar 2 to sense the driver upon approach. Smart features like enlarged graphics in the instrument cluster allow the driver to easily see the charging status and range before entering the car. Polestar 2 can also predetermine the driver’s next move to create a seamless experience with a prepared cabin and quick start sequence.

Maximilian Missoni, head of Design at Polestar, comments: “We decided to bring something different to the segment. Our avant-garde design has evolved from Polestar 1 into an edgier, bolder statement. We have also designed a standard vegan interior with progressive textiles that will appeal to the forward-thinking audience who will subscribe to Polestar 2.”

Design-led features include Pixel LED headlights⁴ and proximity lighting which enable a unique welcome sequence, Polestar’s now-signature frameless side mirrors and the unique illuminated Polestar logo, which is reflected onto the car’s panoramic glass roof.

In common with all Polestar cars, Polestar 2 will only be available for ordering online. The guide purchase price for the launch version of Polestar 2 is 59,900 euros¹ with subscription pricing to follow at a later date. Pre-orders are open at polestar.com. Production of Polestar 2 begins in early 2020 in China for global markets in both left- and right-hand drive.

Polestar 2 made its first public appearance at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show in March, and then embark on a global roadshow in Europe, North America and China throughout 2019. Polestar 2 will also be available in a network of soon-to-be-opened Polestar Spaces that will provide physical viewing and test drive opportunities.

Initial launch markets include China, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Other markets are under consideration for future expansion.

Polestar chooses 6 countries for initial launch

Polestar, the electric performance brand that is a spin off from former parent company Volvo, will be introducing its first ever vehicle to a select number of markets. The car will be offered with a subscription service to the U.S.A., China, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands.

Outlets called Polestar Spaces, will be launched in these countries, serving as showrooms for the general public. The spaces are expected to open by the middle of 2019 in these 6 chosen countries due to the high initial demand for the vehicle. That said, eventually, the Polestar 1 will be introduced to more markets across the globe.

When it was introduced in October, interest in the car was so overwhelming that approximately one customer per minute was registering their interest in being one of the first to receive it. Other than its performance credential, what’s makes the Polestar 1’s presence so extraordinary is the fact that it will only be offered with a subscription service.

That means that owners won’t be able to buy the car outright, instead they will pay a monthly fee that covers insurance, depreciation, collection and delivery for inclusive servicing, and various on-demand benefits as-and-when required. This will negate the need for hefty deposits, down payments and complicated insurance and bank loan applications.

Production for the Polestar 1 is expected to begin by mid-2019 in the automaker’s new state-of-the-art, purpose-built Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China. The highly anticipated car is a 2+2 Grand Touring Coupé with a 600hp Electric Performance Hybrid powertrain. Once launched, it’s bound to cause quite a stir in the industry.

Polestar Cyan Racing wins 2017 WTCC

Polestar Cyan Racing has clinched both the drivers’ and constructors’ championship titles of the 2017 FIA World Touring Car Championship. The team finished the season finale in spectacular fashion, making a clean sweep this year.

“To become the first ever Swedish racing World Champion is something I have dreamt about since I started racing! I can’t put words to my feelings right now but this is by far the greatest moment of my racing career,” said Thed Björk.

He then added, “The season final went according to our plans and a massive thank you to everyone in the team, they are as much World Champions as I am!”

Race 1 of the Qatar event was won by Tom Chilton in his Citroen C-Elysee, followed by Medhi Bennani and Kevin Gleason. Race 2 on the other hand, was won by Esteban Guerrieri with Rob Huff finishing second and Nicky Catsburg in third.

Björk may not have managed a podium finished in either of the two races, but his 5th place finish in the first and 4th place finish in the second race, put him 28.5 points ahead of nearest rival Norbert Michelisz, and effectively the champion of 2017.

Polestar Cyan Racing managed to edge out Honda by the same margin to be awarded the Constructors’ crown for this year. The feat seems surreal for the team because a plan had been put in place to clinch said titles in 5 years, but it accomplished it in just two short years.

The team functions as Volvo’s official factory auto racing team, based in Gothenburg, Sweden. It operates as a separate entity and is lead by team principle, Christian Dahl. Volvo’s acquisition of the Polestar Performance and the Polestar brand in 2015, didn’t include the racing team.

Polestar to begin work on state-of-the-art factory

Polestar has started construction work on its new state-of-the-art production centre in Chengdu, China. The facility, once completed, will be the most environmentally-responsible car factory in China. It will also be one of the most efficient in the world, with a target to attain the Gold status in the LEED ratings (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

The automaker hopes to complete the work by mid-2018 to begin tooling installation and pre-production testing. Its a pretty tall order considering the amount of effort that is required to complete such a facility within the next 9 months.

Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar, said, “Following the successful launch of the new Polestar brand in October, construction of the new Polestar Production Centre is the next step in turning our plans into reality.”

“We are building a Production Centre that is a reflection of our brand. A facility that is modern, progressive, technically advanced and environmentally responsible. T he Polestar Production Centre will be an embodiment of the Polestar brand, ” he later added.

Once complete, the centre, which has been designed by Norwegian international award-winning architects, will be the birth place of the automaker’s first non-volvo production car, called the Polestar 1. Unveiled last month, the car is essentially a Grand Touring Coupe with a 600-bhp hybrid powertrain.

Polestar says that this car will be capable of covering 150km on pure electric power, which is impressive for a typical hybrid. This would effectively, allow the Polestar 1 to be driven on pure electric power for prolonged periods of time, and negating the need for petrol power.

But it won’t be the only car that will be made at the new facility, because Polestar has plans of producing several others that include a pure EV. Besides building cars, the facility will also house a customer experience centre and a test track that will enable potential customers to experience all that Polestar has to offer.

Geely to go on spending spree to benefit sub-brands

Geely is looking to spend big bucks to ensure its EV performance brand gets the head start it needs to become a global player in the electrified performance market. It, together with its subsidiary, Volvo Cars, have announced that they will jointly invest RM3.18 billion to support the initial phase of Polestar’s development.

This investment will ensure that the newly formed sub-brand (Polestar) of Geely will be able to develop a strong product portfolio as well as have a state-of-the-art facility to build these vehicles. Apart from this, Polestar will also benefit from being able
to rummage through the treasure trove that is Volvo designs and technology.

Volvo Cars and Polestar will continue to enjoy a symbiotic relationship that will see them working together on next-generation technologies, bear shared procurement costs, joint development and economies of scale. Unlike Volvo, Polestar has been chosen to spearhead Geely’s charge for EV dominance by producing enticing EV products.

Rather than start from scratch, Polestar will benefit from Volvo Cars’ technology and take it to the next level, at least that is what they hope to do. But based on what we know so far, Polestar vehicles will closely resemble that from Volvo, albeit they will feature high performance electrified drivetrains rather than the current petrol and diesel ones.

Polestar 1 is automaker’s first hybrid concept car for the masses

Polestar has finally revealed its first ever production car to the world. Called the Polestar 1, the vehicle is a Volvo S90 based Coupe that is built upon the Swedish automaker’s Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA).

The company stated that parts sharing with its Volvo cousin has enabled it to build the Polestar 1 in record time, taking just a fraction of what usually amounts to years worth of research & development as well as testing. That said, 50% of the components used are new while the remaining half are inherited from Volvo.

Sporting similar a silhouette as the S90 sedan, Polestar has done away with Volvo’s signature chrome grille and placed an understated yet menacing louvered grille. The projector headlights with DRL’s resembling Thor’s hammer are still present but subtle tweaks have been made to the front and rear sections of teh car for better aero efficiency.

The body is made from carbon-fibre, which has enabled the improvement of torsional stiffness by 45% and lowered the car’s centre of gravity. This will result in a massive weight reduction compared to the standard Volvo meaning, that agility and nimbleness should be better too.

The car features a hybrid powertrain that brings total output to a colossal 600bhp and 1000Nm of torque. Called the Electric Performance Hybrid, the Polestar 1 is able to travel about 150km on pure electric power, making it the only hybrid vehicle currently on sale that can achieve such a feat on a single charge.

Another first, the Polestar 1 is the first car in the world that will be fitted with the Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi) advanced chassis technology. That coupled with a double electric rear axle for torque vectoring, will enable the car to remain planted while cornering at high speeds.

Marketed as a 2+2 seater grand tourer, the Polestar 1 is a concept vehicle that previews what the production version may look like when it is unveiled in mid-2019. The vehicle will be built in Polestar’s state-of-the-art production centre in Chengdu, China. Due for completion in mid-2018, the facility will be responsible for manufacturing future models from the automaker.

During the reveal, Polestar made it known that it will be launching two further models called the Polestar 2 and Polestar 3. The former will be an electric vehicle that will take on the Tesla Model 3, while the latter is poised to be an SUV styled EV.

Apart from this, the automaker is also planning on revolutionising the way we buy our cars. It will allow its vehicles to be purchased/rented online and will also introduce a substription service that will enable ownership with zero-downpayment at a steady monthly fee. In addition to that, owners can also rent alterntavie vehicles within the Volvo family.

The exact details are still a bit hazy at the moment as Polestar has yet to lay down concrete framework that will enable the public to its subscriptions service for a 2-3 year lease of its vehicles rather than opt in to an out-right purchase.

Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar said, “Polestar 1 is the first car to carry the Polestar on the bonnet. A beautiful GT with amazing technology packed into it. All future cars from Polestar will feature a fully electric drivetrain, delivering on our brand vision of being the new standalone electric performance brand.”

Despite this, Polestar will still have its brick and mortar showrooms around the globe to facilitate customers how prefer the old fashion way of buying vehicles. The order books of the Polestar 1 begins today, and Polestar says its ready to facilitate all interested parties.