Polestar 2 liftback now available in single-motor versions

Those of us who wanted a more affordable alternative to the €51,500+ dual-motor version of the Polestar 2 released last spring may now finally get it with a single motor and FWD.

In case you don’t remember, the dual powertrain came rated at 408 PS (402 hp / 300 kW) and 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) total. A 78-kWh traction battery it came with gave it up to 450 km (280 miles) of WLTP-rated range.

In contrast, the new Polestar 2 Long Range spec has only 231 PS (228 hp / 170 kW) and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) at the crank. Prices in Europe start from €48,500. The battery is the same size, but the range goes up to 515 km (320 miles).

An even more wallet-friendly Standard Range variant has 64 kilowatt-hours of power storage, which gives it 420 km (261 miles) on a single charge. The torque is the same as the Long Range spec, while the power is marginally lower at 224 PS (221 hp / 165 kW). At €45,500, it is quite a bargain for what it is, although some may still prefer the Tesla Model 3 starting from just €40,000.

The base trim level is identical across all specs and includes LED headlights, 19-inch wheels, digital dash, 12.3-inch touchscreen, and an infotainment system running on Android.

Some of the equipment that used to be part of the dual-motor specification is now optional. For example, there is a €3,500 Pilot Pack upgrade that adds adaptive cruise control, LED Matrix lights, blind spot monitoring, all-around cameras, and some other handy assistants.

Going for the €4,500 Plus Pack unlocks eco-friendly fake leather, Harman/Kardon audio, a panoramic sunroof, power front seats, heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats.

Only those who opt for an AWD version may specify Performance Pack, which costs €6,000 and adds 20-inch wheels, special trim elements, Brembo brakes and Öhlins shock absorbers.

Pre-order books are already open. The production takes place at the Geely factory in China, since Geely owns Polestar.