Volvo’s new standalone brand benefits from plug-in hybrid system used in the T8 versions of the XC90, XC60 and S90 albeit tweaked to 600hp.
There’s no Volvo badge…
That’s right, because Volvo has made Polestar a new standalone brand highlighting electrification for the future.
With styling inspired from the 2012 Volvo Concept Coupe, the so-called 1 is built upon Volvo’s SPA platform. However, the 1 is 4.5m long – around half-a-metre shorter than the S90 saloon; the wheelbase is also smaller by 320mm.
The use of carbonfibre bits in the 1’s body has helped to reduce weight by 230kg and contributes to a 45% higher level of torsional rigidity.
Is it front-wheel drive?
The 2.0-litre turbo and supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine produces 380hp and drives the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic. But with two 110hp electric motors driving the wheels, the 1 is essentially all-wheel drive.
And when engaged into Power mode, total outputs come to 600hp and 1,000Nm. Handling all that performance is torque-vectoring control and adaptive suspension.
The plug-in system know-how is borrowed from the T8 models of the XC90, XC60 and S90. However, the 1 has a longer electric-only driving range of 150km.
When can I get one?
The 1 goes into production at Volvo’s facility in China in mid-2019 with annual capacity pegged at 500. The bad news for Thai fans is that the 1 will only be made in left-hand drive.
A novelty for the Polestar business is that cars will only be available for sales online on a subscription basis. Deliveries of it will be made via selected Volvo dealers. Pricing of the 1 has yet to be disclosed.
Polestar has hinted that the next two models will be pure battery electric vehicles. The 2 is expected to be a saloon rivaling the Tesla Model 3; the 3 would be an SUV competing with the Model X.
