At the beginning of next year the Polestar 4 will arrive in Europe, a new electric SUV of style that has been presented this week at the Shanghai Motor Show. The car, which will be launched in the Chinese market in November 2023, is between the Polestar 2 and the Polestar 3 in terms of size – it measures 484 centimeters long – and price – it will start at 60,000 euros. This coupe-style model will be a direct rival to Tesla.
Inspired by the Polestar Precept prototype, this new crossover presents a modern design in which the absence of the rear window stands out (the view of the area behind the vehicle is achieved through a rear-mounted camera). To improve aerodynamic efficiency, it has a low front end, retractable door handles, frameless windows and airflow optimization around the rear light bar. The massive glass roof – extending beyond the heads of second-row passengers – can be fitted with electrochromic functionality to go from transparent to opaque on demand.
Its three-meter wheelbase favors a good interior habitability, especially in the rear seats, whose occupants enjoy reclining seats and generous legroom.
The interior rearview mirror has been replaced by a high-definition screen that displays images captured in real time by a roof-mounted rearview camera. If necessary, the digital transmission can be deactivated to allow the driver to see the rear occupants, something especially useful when children are traveling. The cabin has been made with recycled and sustainable materials.
The mechanical offer will have two versions. The access to the range mounts a motor on the rear axle that develops 200 kW (272 CV) and offers a torque of 343 Nm. The other is moved by two propellers -one on each axis, so it has all-wheel drive- that deliver a total power of 400 kW (544 CV) and 686 Nm of torque. This variant offers magnificent features. In fact, they make it the fastest production car the brand has developed to date. Thus it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds.
In terms of autonomy, both versions have a 102 kWh battery that allows the most powerful Polestar to travel up to 560 kilometers and 600 km for the least efficient. The Polestar 4 is prepared for ultra-fast charges of up to 200 kW and has a bidirectional charging system (V2L) to power external devices.
In the Polestar 4, the infotainment system has a 15.4-inch screen in landscape format. Over-the-air (OTA) updates make it possible to periodically improve the vehicle’s functionalities remotely, without the need to go to a workshop to obtain the latest software.
The 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster adds speed, battery, and range information. To reduce distractions, the head-up display with a 14.7-inch projection area on the windshield offers the most relevant driving, telephony and navigation information. A clever “snow mode” feature for the HUD changes the text color from white to yellow to improve visibility in snowy environments.
Safety is part of Polestar’s DNA thanks to its strong connection to Volvo Cars, which belongs to the same automotive group. Up to nine airbags, a Mobileye SuperVision advanced driver assistance system with 12 cameras, a radar and twelve ultrasonic sensors are included as standard.
