The Swedish electric vehicle company Polestar has officially presented its new electric SUV in Barcelona, ??the Polestar 3. The third model of the Nordic premium firm, unveiled at the brand’s Space, on Passeig de Gràcia nº 84 in the city of Barcelona, It is a combination of Scandinavian minimalism and the basic ingredients of a sport utility vehicle that will redefine the concept of SUV in the new electric era.
Stéphane Le Guével, general director of Polestar Spain, was in charge of unveiling the firm’s new model in front of a small group of motor journalists, among whom was Moveo from La Vanguardia.
This new vehicle, characterized by its unmistakable design of pure, clean lines and outstanding driving dynamics, is presented with a new aerodynamic profile that maintains the distinctive seal of an SUV, with elements such as width and the feeling of power.
Its optimized aerodynamics, with a Cd coefficient of only 0.29, has elements that are as subtle and effective as they are innovative, such as a front spoiler integrated into the hood, a spoiler on the rear spoiler, handles flush with the body, exterior mirrors of compact format and a curvature of the side windows that facilitates air flow to the rear without generating turbulence. It has two trunks: one front and one rear of 484 liters (90 under the floor) with the seats raised or 1,411 liters with the backrests folded.
Likewise, the materials used in the interior of Polestar 3 have been selected for their sustainability, but also to improve aesthetics and the feeling of luxury. They include upholstery in ecological MicroTech fabric, animal protection-certified leather and wool of proven origin. As required by Polestar’s commitment to transparency, the Polestar 3 will undergo a full life cycle assessment (LCA) when production begins. New evaluations are planned throughout its life cycle to reduce its carbon footprint as much as possible.
At launch, the 4.90 m long Polestar 3 will be equipped with a dual powertrain and more power at the rear. The standard model develops a total of 360 kW and 840 Nm of torque, with acceleration from 0 to 100 in 5.0 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h. With the optional Performance package, total power increases to 380 kW and 910 Nm, while acceleration is reduced to just 4.7 seconds to 100 km/h from a standstill.
It includes adjustable One-Pedal Drive and an electric Torque Vectoring Dual Clutch function on the rear axle, an evolution of that developed for the Polestar 1. It also offers a decoupling function for the rear electric motor, with which the vehicle can operate alone with the front electric motor to save energy in some cases.
A 111 kWh battery pack guarantees the Polestar 3 a long range of up to 610 km in the WLTP cycle (according to preliminary data). The lithium-ion battery is designed with prismatic cells in an aluminum case with boron steel reinforcements and liquid cooling. The Polestar 3 comes standard with a heat pump that allows you to use ambient heat to condition the battery and air conditioning. It also has bi-directional charging which offers the possibility of connecting the vehicle to the grid in the future.
The optional Performance package further improves driving dynamics and offers maximum power (380 kW and 910 Nm), as well as optimized air suspension, exclusive 22-inch forged alloy wheels and further details in the unmistakable “Swedish Gold”.
The Polestar 3 marks Volvo Cars’ entry into a new era of safety, since the 100% electric Swedish SUV is born with the most advanced active and passive safety technology from Volvo Cars. That includes the latest innovation: interior radar sensors that can detect submillimeter movements inside the vehicle to prevent anyone from forgetting a child or pet inside the car. The system is also connected to the air conditioning to prevent heat stroke or hypothermia.
The Polestar 3 is the first vehicle with a new 100% electric technology developed by Volvo Cars. Production for the launch markets is planned to begin at Volvo Cars’ factory in Chengdu, China, with a progressive ramp-up from mid-2023.
Towards mid-2024, production will also begin at the Volvo Cars factory in Ridgeville (South Carolina). From that moment on, supplies for North America and other markets will shift from China to the United States. The first vehicles will leave this factory in mid-2024, a date on which their arrival in the main European countries is also estimated.
At launch, the Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor (360 kW, 840 Nm) will have a guide price of 92,900 euros. Online petitions were opened just one year ago, on October 12, 2022.
