Powerful new Polestar 3 electric SUV makes debut
All-new battery-powered 380kW flagship SUV will get 610km range when it lands in early 2024, priced from $135,000UPDATED 13/10/2022 1:00pm: Polestar Australia has opened the Polestar 3 for local registrations via its public website, where drive-away prices are now available and, at least for buyers in inner Melbourne, listed from $135,000 for the standard long-range dual-motor version, and $145,000 for the same powertrain with Performance Pack.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE PUBLISHED 13/10/2022 4:00am: The 2024 Polestar 3 has been revealed alongside full details of the all-new large electric SUV, ahead of its Australian release in early 2024.
Key highlights of the Scandinavian-designed luxury SUV include a powerful 380kW dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain, next-generation safety technology and a bold new look with advanced aerodynamics.
The 2024 Polestar 3 was unwrapped at a media event tonight in Copenhagen, where a spokesman confirmed it would be priced from around $135,000 plus on-road costs, making it a natural rival for the Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-PACE and Tesla Model X.
Featuring the latest interpretation of the design language introduced by the Volvo sister brand’s 2020 Precept concept car, the new Polestar 3 gets an updated version of the show car's twin-blade ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights.
Behind its fresh face, the Polestar 3 features an advanced package of aerodynamic measures that balance downforce and reduce drag to enhance driving range, including a front wing that's integrated within the bonnet and another aero element in the rear spoiler.
Look closer and there are also flush-fitting pop-out door-handles and revised door mirrors that, combined with the wings, are said to reduce turbulent air around the car to reduce drag.
The frameless door mirrors alone are said to slash drag by up to 30 per cent compared to regular mirrors.
Developed alongside the stylish Volvo EX90, which will also go on sale in Australia in 2024, the Polestar 3 sits on the same all-new SPA2 architecture that has been designed specifically for EVs.
Measuring in at 4900mm long, 2120mm wide and 1627mm tall, and riding on a generous 2985mm wheelbase, the Polestar 3 is 53mm shorter and 149mm lower but 162mm wider than the current Volvo XC90, which has a 1mm-shorter wheelbase.
From launch, the Polestar 3 will come with dual motors that provide for all-wheel drive and produce 360kW of power and an equally substantial 840Nm of torque. Polestar says that's enough to deliver a 0-100km/h sprint time of just five seconds and a 210km/h top speed.
Fitted with an optional Performance Pack ($10,200), power is boosted to a maximum of 380kW while torque rises to a herculean 940Nm, lowering the 0-100km/h time to just 4.7sec without changing the top speed.
Polestar says the AWD system has a sporty, rear-biased torque split and new technology includes a dual-clutch pack for the rear motor to deliver quicker, more effective torque vectoring and therefore enhanced agility.
Saving energy while cruising, the rear motor is capable of being decoupled from the axle to reduce drag at highway speeds.
Other fresh technologies include new dual-chamber air springs as standard, allowing drivers to switch from comfort to a stiffer and more dynamic setting, and new adaptive dampers that self-adjust once every two milliseconds.
Powering the Polestar 3’s motors is a large 111kWh lithium-ion battery that provides for a WLTP-verified range of 610km in standard form, reducing to a still-generous 560km between top-ups with the Performance Pack fitted.
A heat pump to both heat and cool the cabin will be standard and also has the secondary role of pre-conditioning the battery.
From its introduction, the all-electric SUV will be capable of bidirectional charging, enabling vehicle-to-grid capability including a future plug-and-charge feature.
As you might expect from the Geely-owned EV brand, the Polestar 3 also features some pioneering driver-assistance technology that harnesses the power of US tech firm NVIDIA’s super-fast computer chip with embedded AI tech.
Polestar says the powerful core computer will be more capable than any previous system, allowing it to oversee countless sensors and more camera feeds than ever before. The newest Polestar features five radar modules, five external cameras and a further 12 external ultrasonic sensors.
If that's not enough, there's also a ‘SmartZone’ below the front wing that integrates yet more forward-facing sensors, a heated radar module and camera.
Inside, two cameras use eye-tracking tech to monitor the driver’s eyes and trigger warning messages, sounds and even an emergency stop function is they detect a distracted, drowsy or non-responsive driver.
It's thought that the Polestar 3 will offer Level 3 autonomy from launch, allowing it to drive without any hands on the wheel or eyes on the road, at least in specific geofenced locations like highways.
Polestar's commitment to safety even extended to developing a new interior radar sensors that can detect sub-millimetre movements in the interior of the car. The purpose? The Sino-Swedish brand is worried you’ll accidentally leave your children or pets inside your car.
If a pet or child is detected inside a parked Polestar 3, the car automatically fires up its climate control system to prevent heat stroke or hypothermia.
Like the existing Polestar 2 mid-size electric fastback, the big Polestar 3 SUV will come with an Android Auto operating system that runs through a large 14.5-inch infotainment screen.
Within the cabin, there's the choice of either a new recycled ‘vegan’ fabric trim or animal welfare-compatible leather upholstery made from cow hides sourced from responsible and sustainable suppliers, says Polestar.
The Polestar 3 is set to be made at factories in both China and the US, but it’s not yet known where right-hand drive markets like Australia will source its cars from.
Commenting on the new Polestar 3 at its world debut, Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said: “Polestar 3 is a powerful electric SUV that appeals to the senses with a distinct, Scandinavian design and excellent driving dynamics.”
The Polestar 3 will be followed quickly to market by the smaller and more rakish Polestar 4 mid-size electric SUV, which will bridge the gap between the Polestar 2 and 3 and give the EV brand a rival for models like the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volkswagen ID.5.
The Polestar 4 will be followed a year later by the Porsche Taycan Turbo S-rivalling Polestar 5 electric grand touring sedan, and the Polestar 6 electric performance roadster in 2026.
Polestar plans to grow its sales from the 29,000 cars it sold in 2021 to 290,000 by 2025.
Related: Polestar 3 locked in for October 12 reveal
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