As Polestar matures out of their embryonic stage, it is vital that they can develop their own unique flavour of e-mobility to escape Volvo’s shadow, meaning it will be largely up to the Polestar 3 and recently revealed Polestar 4 to forge the company’s identity and withstand the increasingly monotonous design trends others are falling victim to.
The Polestar 4 will be the next in an exponentially growing range of all-electric SUVs that have exploded in popularity with the meteoric rise of electric vehicles.
Not only will it be the fastest model offered by Polestar to date, but it will also plug the gap between the Polestar 2 and 3 that the company anticipates will be the most lucrative for attracting new buyers. Nevertheless, as is evident in both the design and specifications of the vehicle, the Polestar 4 is clearly targeted at the premium sector of the electric vehicle market and will start from a price of £55,000.
The images Polestar have unveiled of the 4 plainly demonstrate a divorce from the typical Volvo design traits that dominated their earlier models with the retractable door handles; more angular and aggressive yet simultaneously elegant profile; rear light bar that reaches across the width of the car; and iconic Thor’s hammer headlights immediately catching the eye. However, upon taking a closer look, you can see that Polestar has entirely removed the rear window.
While this may at first seem utterly ludicrous, Polestar justifies this unconventional move by stating that moving the header rail behind the rear passengers’ heads optimises the aerodynamics of the vehicle to boost range and performance, while contributing to the sportier appearance of the 4.
As a result, the Polestar 4 can claim a highly impressive drag coefficient of 0.269, only slightly greater than the 0.208 of the Tesla Model S. To compensate for the lack of a rear window, Polestar have installed a rear-facing HD camera and a series of mirrors, with a total of 12 cameras, radar, and 12 ultrasonic sensors throughout the vehicle ensuring security remains of prime importance.
The interior of the car is very traditionally Polestar: it places an emphasis on a minimalist design with the minimum number of buttons and knobs possible. Instead, all essential features such as climate control, lighting, driver settings, and navigation are controlled through a 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen which sits alongside a 10.2 inch digital instrument cluster and is fuelled by Google’s onboard operating system.
Owing to the electric powertrain and unique position of the header rail, the interior of the Polestar 4 is spacious with ample headroom for even the rear passengers, who can utilise a screen to regulate the heating and air conditioning in the rear.
This “cocooning” feel is maximised further by the full-length panoramic roof that comes with optional electrochromic shading that allows the amount of light entering the vehicle to be regulated. Proudly sustainable and staunchly devoted to keeping emissions as low as possible, Polestar have also ensured that the upholstery of the 4 consists of a menagerie of recycled materials and textiles.
In terms of storage, the Polestar 4 can claim to 500 litres of boot capacity with a surplus 15 litres under the bonnet and a compartment beneath the central armrest. All versions of the Polestar 4 will also incorporate a heat pump that can be used to preset the climate before entering the vehicle.
Polestar’s fastest production model to date will sit atop Geely’s SEA architecture and be offered in both single motor and dual motor configurations. The less expensive single motor Polestar 4 will feature a 102-kWh battery, with a 252 bhp electric motor fitted on the rear axle providing rear-wheel drive.
On the contrary, the dual motor configuration will utilise the same battery, however with a combination of two electric motors fitted on either axle producing a total of 544 bhp and 686 Nm of torque and providing all-wheel drive capabilities.
Polestar profess that the single motor Polestar 4 will target 372 miles of range, whilst the dual motor variant will be capable of around 350 miles, although it is likely that both figures will diminish under real world conditions. Thanks to the enhanced aerodynamics, large battery, and powerful motors, the dual motor Polestar 4 will be able to leap from 0 to 62 mph in a blistering 3.8 seconds. All models will also be compatible with 22 kW AC and 200 kW DC fast charging and be able to supply power to external devices.
Upon launch, several packs will be offered with the Polestar 4 that will augment comfort and provide a slew of technological and autonomous upgrades. For example, the Plus Pack allows the driver and adjacent passenger to enjoy front seats with integrated massage and ventilation features as well as headrest speakers, while furnishing the interior in an animal-welfare secured Nappa leather upholstery. Meanwhile, the Performance Pack adds 22-inch wheels, 4-piston Brembo brakes, gold trimmings, a refined chassis specifically tuned for performance and further sporty changes to the exterior.
Production of the Polestar 4 will commence in China (where the vehicle will launch first) in November 2023, before being introduced into the European market in early 2024. Only time will tell if the Polestar 4 casts the international spotlight on the brand in the intended way, but it is certain that the model will significantly advance the rapidly improving technological and performance capabilities of the electric SUV segment.