New Polestar 2 revealed with 396bhp and 310-mile range

The new all-electric Polestar 2 has arrived as a rival for the Tesla Model 3 and is due to make its public debut at Geneva

Volvo’s performance spin-off brand, Polestar, has unveiled its Tesla Model 3 rival through a live-streamed online event ahead of its appearance at the Geneva Motor Show. Called the Polestar 2, the all-electric saloon is available to pre-order now, with prices starting from €39,900 (around £34,000).

The Polestar 2 is a five-door fastback saloon built on Volvo’s new all-electric CMA platform. Powered by two electric motors, it produces a combined output of 396bhp and 660Nm of torque, which results in a 0–62mph sprint of less than five seconds. The motors are paired with a 78kWh battery pack, with Polestar targeting an all-electric range of around 310 miles.

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Inside, the Polestar 2 gets the brand’s signature yellow seat belts, along with a minimalist dashboard, leather upholstery, a digital instrument binnacle, a multi-function steering wheel and an 11-inch infotainment system powered by Android.

Other features include LED headlights, frameless wing mirrors and proximity lighting, which illuminates the car’s panoramic glass roof with the Polestar logo upon the driver’s approach. Polestar’s “phone-as-key” technology will also feature, removing the need for a physical key, automatically configuring the interior to the driver’s preference when it detects their proximity.

An optional Performance Pack will also be made available for the Polestar 2, adding Ohlins dampers, Brembo brakes with gold calipers, gold dust caps and unique 20-inch forged alloy wheels.

Buyers will be given access to Polestar’s public charging network, accessible via the car’s infotainment system or the driver’s smartphone. For added convenience, the digital instrument binnacle also displays the car’s remaining charge when the car is parked.

The new Polestar 2 will eventually be joined by the Polestar 3 coupe-SUV, which would give the brand two very competitive models for Tesla’s Model 3 and Model X. Despite this, Ingenlath was keen to play down any plans to usurp Tesla. “We are not saying it’s a Tesla killer, we are here to vividly compete with them in the market.”

Following its debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the Polestar 2 will embark on a global roadshow across Europe, North America and China. Production is set to start in 2020, with a launch edition model, priced at €59,900 (around £51,000), being made available for the first 12 months of its manufacture.

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