Polestar 2 Arctic Circle: a concept before the real innovations

To test the limits under extreme conditions, the Polestar 2 is available in the Arctic Circle concept, but the real new cars are still awaited.

The Polestar brand made numerous announcements in 2021. Emerging from hibernation with timely news, it unveiled a concept car themed around driving in extreme cold: the Polestar 2 Arctic Circle.

More height and power

The base model is derived from the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor, equipped with the Performance package. The differences include rally car features, with a raised ride height by 10 mm, four front projectors, and special OZ Racing rims. The 19-inch wheels are also fitted with studded winter tires for ice driving. The Öhlins shock absorbers provide a softer suspension.

The electric component is not left behind. The dual-motor Swedish sedan’s power increases to 350 kW (469 hp) with a torque of 680 Nm. The original version produced only 408 hp and 660 Nm. For the driver’s enjoyment, the manufacturer installed padded Recaro bucket seats.

The concept car isn’t just for show. “Adjusting a chassis for snow and ice allows us to develop our cars in what resembles a slow-motion environment, with better precision,” explains Joakim Rydholm, the chief chassis engineer of the brand, “with such low levels of grip, we can feel and analyze the dynamics at a much slower pace than on asphalt, which allows us to truly refine our cars’ behavior, down to the smallest detail.”

Polestar plans a trio of new models

If this Polestar 2 Arctic Circle has no future, the brand’s schedule is already well defined. In 2022, the Swedish company will launch the Polestar 3, its first SUV, obviously electric. It will share the platform with the upcoming electric Volvo XC90 built in the same Charleston (USA) factory. Its competitors are likely to be the BMW iX or Audi e-tron.

Polestar 5, 4, and 3 from left to right.

Next, the Polestar 4 will be a smaller SUV in 2023, bolder with a coupe-like silhouette, sized like a XC60. It will be more suited to Europe, unlike the larger Polestar 3 designed for North Americans. Following that, in 2024, the Polestar 5 will debut, a large electric sedan comparable to Tesla Model S and Lucid Air. It was previewed by the Precept concept in 2020, which it will largely follow. This model may also incorporate the future Northvolt batteries from the Gothenburg factory.

With these three new models, Polestar aims to increase its volume tenfold to reach 290,000 units by 2025. The manufacturer sold 29,000 units last year, compared to just over 10,000 in 2020.