Polestar 2: Digging Into The Details
Yesterday’s announcement of the Polestar 2 had a lot of information but presented in a subtle way. Here are a few details you may have missed.
Range
Much was made of Polestar’s announced target range of 500 km (311 mi). That, however, is on the European cycle. The target US EPA range is 275 mi with the 78 kW*hr battery. (For some reason, the China market will get a slightly smaller 72 kW*hr battery. That’s approximately an 8% reduction in capacity, presumably taking the range from 500 to 462 km or thereabouts.)
Interior Design
Polestar made a big deal of their new synthetic and vegan Weave Tech fabric. However, two other options are available at the low and high end:
Textile (Slate)
Weave Tech (Charcoal or Slate)
Leather (Barley)
Charcoal is black, Slate is a slightly bluish dark grey, and Barley is tan. The leather is ventilated and matched with a lighter wood trim than the black ash used with the Weave Tech coverings.
Exterior Design
The exterior is offered in six mostly grey scale colors ranging from white to black, as per the current somber fashion.
Options and Pricing
The starting price in Europe is EU39,900 (approximately US$45,500). This version will likely have a textile interior, standard roof, standard LED headlights, and entry level audio. Some less expensive material will likely be used instead of wood for trim pieces.
The premium version is priced at EU59,900 (approximately US$68,000). This version includes a “Plus Package” that includes a panoramic sunroof, pixel LED headlights, Weave Tech seats, and premium Harman-Kardon audio.
However, these upgrades seem unlikely to justify the EU20,000 price difference. To account for that, note the exact phrasing during the presentation:
First we make sure that you get really far with one charge, offering a high battery capacity in the Polestar 2 (78 kWh).
[…]
At launch, Polestar 2 will start from EU39,900. And at launch we will be offering our all wheel drive, 300 kW car for EU59,900 which will include the beautiful Plus Package that contains the panoramic sunroof, pixel LED headlights, Weave Tech vegan seats, and awesome Harman-Kardon premium sound (system).
(Items in parentheses added by me.)
The Plus Package is not on the preliminary configurator, at least in the US, and is not described in the press release. That said, the configurator has a section labeled in the plural: “Packages.”
The large price difference, the explicit mention of offering a high capacity battery and “all wheel drive, 300 kW car” suggests that the entry level car will have lower performance in some way. I would speculate that the entry level Polestar 2 will have rear wheel drive (and associated lower performance) and a smaller battery capacity, offering perhaps 350 km (217 mi) on the European cycle. That, combined with the Plus Package, would account for the large price difference.
Polestar will also offer a Tech Package(*) that includes:
Öhlins Dual Flow Valve Technology (DFV) Suspension
Upgraded Brembo Brakes (with gold calipers)
20 inch Performance Wheels
Gold Color Seat Belts
Gold Valve Stem Caps
(*) This is called the “Performance Package” in the press release.
The leather interior is likely to be extra-cost option as well.
In the United States, there will be a “Launch Edition” that starts at US$63,000. This will likely be essentially the premium European offering minus the pixel LED headlights that are not allowed under US certification standards. The $7500 federal tax credit brings the effective price to $55,000.
Polestart 2 versus Tesla Model 3
Polestar is explicit in targeting the Tesla Model 3. They stated their rationale for the positioning of the 2 as follows:
Polestar 2 defines the foundation of our brand. Why? The buzz around the Tesla Model 3 showed where electromobility is relevant for society today. And with Polestar 2 we bring an exciting premium electric car that will broaden the choice on offer in exactly his segment and we truly hope that we will contribute with this to the success of sustainable electric mobility.
They even take aim at Tesla’s low-cost interior, which some describe as minimalist:
From the masters of avant garde interior design. The best you can get. Scandanavian style giving digital innovation personality, redefining premium for the electric age. Minimalism is an art that requires maximum artistry, experience, and precision. And I dare to say that Polestar 2 is the best designed electric car, period.
So how do the two cars compare?
Tesla Model 3
Mid Range: RWD, 264 mi (EPA), US$42,900 (Starting Price)
Long Range: AWD, 310 mi, $49,900
Performance: AWD, 310 mi, $52,850
However, you can add non-black paint ($1500 to $2500), a non-black interior ($1000), and “Enhanced Autopilot” ($5000).
Polestar 2
Entry Level: Maybe RWD, EU39,900 (roughly US$45,500)
US Launch Edition: AWD, 275 mi, $63,000
Roughly speaking, the pricing appears comparable, especially when you consider that Polestar will qualify for the $7500 federal tax credit and Tesla will not. Referencing European pricing, a low-end Polestar 2 appears to be priced similarly to the Mid Range Tesla Model 3. The premium model appears comparable to the Long Range and especially the Performance versions of the Model 3. Driving ranges are similar, but Tesla does somewhat better.
Some Additional Thoughts
Polestar 2 is the first true competitor to the Tesla Model 3 in that it brings an emphasis on performance in a similarly priced and performing mid-market sedan. Other offerings in the market are either economy (Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf), utility (Mercedes EQC, Audi e-tron, Hyundai Kona), or high-end (Porsche Taycan). It will probably appeal to the intellectual, artistic types who wear turtleneck shirts, buy thick books on modern architecture for their Noguchi coffee table, and in the old days would drive something like an Audi TTS, SAAB 900 Aero, or BMW M3. It hits in the sweet spot of that market and will probably do well.
But it has to be said that, while the overall design is great, the color selection is so timid as to be disappointing. This seems like a market segment full of people willing to exhibit some bold personal style and Polestar is not taking advantage. Where, for example, is the classic Polestar Blue paint? And, having gone through the trouble to develop the very nice looking and vegan Weave Tech fabric, why not offer it in colors other than grey and black? This is a car that practically screams for a set of bold, patterened textile interior choices like herringbone and tartan in colors like red, blue, and green. That, of course, is the magic of textfile: ease of expressiveness in pattern and color.
Despite that I absolutely want one and I doubt I’m alone. Good job, Polestar.
