Now fully an automotive brand, Polestar aims to attract more than just a limited number of hugely wealthy customers. That was Polestar 1. Now it’s time for Polestar 2, a more affordable, four-door electric sedan with sporting prowess and eco-consciousness in spades.
How did Polestar pull off the unusual feat of starting production of a new model when assembly lines across the globe are going dark amid the coronavirus pandemic? Because production is occurring in China, the country that birthed the virus, then left it on its neighbors’ doorsteps.
Hopefully the professionally aggrieved won’t be offended by that controversial slice of reality.
Yes, Geely-owned Polestar, like its former Volvo parent, has the advantage of having Chinese manufacturing space carved out for it. That country is coming back online following a self-reported lessening of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Like Volvo’s compact XC40 crossover, the Polestar 2 utilizes the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform; it went into production alongside that CUV in a Luqiao, China plant and greeted its first customer-bound models on Monday. European customers should receive theirs this summer, with U.S. buyers waiting until later in the year for a taste of the $63k Launch Edition.
Polestar 2’s specs are quite competitive. Twin electric motors front and rear put out a combined 408 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque, which doesn’t add up to a tepid driving experience. Those motors draw current from a 78 kWh battery pack. While driving range isn’t known, the EPA figure is expected to be far closer to 300 miles than 200.
Obviously, the Polestar 2’s main rival will be the Tesla Model 3 — a model that also recently started up production in China.
[Image: Polestar]
The MUSA EV has been shut down but the Chinese competitor is in production?
For somewhat more than a generation we’ve bought the Cheap Tool and shuttered our own factories, and with the latest import we see the price of the Cheap Tool is the economy grinding to a halt.
Are gearheads smarter than the rest?
No dispute with your fundamental point, except that Volvo is a poor example of a cheap tool which shutters U.S. factories. It is an expensive tool which is opening new U.S. factories.
Perhaps you meant to say Apple?
I’m thinking everything. Stanley tools. Craftsman tools. LL Bean clothing. QTips. Bicycle frames. Televisions and wash machines. Woolrich blankets. Etc………
Try to buy your wife a MUSA Christmas or birthday present……
Craftsman tools I have are made either in USA or Taiwan.
Apple? You are uninformed about the many US based companies which sell components to Apple. Do some homework.
Tim Cook, I know it’s you there.
Volvo is targeting 275 miles EPA, so not bad.
The Model 3P is about 280 miles, and the Model 3 LR is more. This is priced like the Model 3P.
But the execution of the Polestar 2’s interior is very nice, and the exterior is less “polarizing”…, although I like the looks of the Model 3 plenty.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UjHZJByIa8o/maxresdefault.jpg
Head and shoulders above any Tesla interior, including the S/X, not just the 3/Y.
Meh, not a Tesla fanboi, but I’d take an S any day of the week over this even if it wasn’t Chinese garbage.
Polestar interior looks great, exterior more so-so. If specs are as detailed it should do well. The roll out is limited for the first year to seven countries, which include the US. However that is only California so it is going to be a while before anyone else can get one.
As for the comment on the origin of the virus, no&one could seriously call you out. It did start in China and it seems some legal action will follow.
“it seems some legal action will follow.”
What legal action? China owns us lock, stock and barrel. We depend on China on everything even medication and ventilators.
“Almost for Normies: Polestar 2 Enters Production As Other Automakers Go Dark”
$63k for a Polestar 2 is “almost for normies”
$60k for a Model 3P is a “rich mans’s toy”
Got it.
Lol. Yep, funny how that works. Not a Tesla fanboi, but I root for them as they are a US company and one that the rest of the world is chasing at that.
Not sure where they get off pricing a new, Chinese entrant over the established leader. At least the Taycan is a Porsche…this is just more Chinese garbage from a brand nobody has heard of.