The Polestar 5 is already available for ordering on the Old Continent, promising a flagship EV experience to those with at least €119,900 (Germany) or £89,500 (UK) to spare.
The vehicle runs on a platform called the PPA (Polestar Performance Architecture), advertised as an in-house development. It features per-wheel suspension and supports 800V current for fast charging. The interior has plenty of legroom, while the trunks at the back and the front offer relatively modest luggage space at 365 and 62 liters, respectively (12.78 and 2.2 cubic feet).
The most affordable Polestar 5 uses two electric motors to send 748 PS (738 hp / 550 kW) and 812 Nm (600 lb-ft) of torque to the wheels. The rear motor is by far the stronger of the two with 612 PS (604 hp / 450 kW) at its disposal. It uses a two-speed reduction gear to drive the wheels, supports torque vectoring and can be switched off when cruising to save electricity. Sprinting from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 3.9 seconds, and the top speed lies at 250 km/h (155 mph).
Paying extra gets you the range-topping Performance spec with 884 PS (872 hp / 650 kW) and 1,015 Nm (750 lb-ft) of torque. It completes the sprint in 3.2 seconds and maxes out at the same speed as the standard car. It also boasts assorted premium trim bits and rides on adaptive suspension.
A 112-kWh battery comes standard with both versions, but while the entry spec gets 670 kilometers (416 miles) out of it, the top spec gets only 565 km (351 miles). Charging from 10 to 80% using a 350kW outlet only takes 22 minutes, though, so range shouldn’t be an issue in areas with sufficient charging infrastructure. Owners can choose to display the charge level on the c-pillars of the car.
The rear window that many of us wanted to come back did not, but at least we got a 1.8-meter (6-foot) long panoramic glass roof and a digital rearview mirror to compensate. The Polestar 5 is a four-seater by design, but you can fold down the rear armrest for access to the HVAC controls. The infotainment system runs on Android and outputs the image onto a 9-inch digital dash and its own 14.5-inch screen.
Available options include wheels sized up to 22 inches in diameter, Brembo brakes, a four-zone climate control system, massage-enabled seats and a 21-speaker Bowers&Wilkins audio system. There is also a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system on board that manages to do without a LiDAR.
