Polestar 2: new rear motor and extended range for 2023

Absent from France but available in Europe such as Belgium or Switzerland, the Polestar 2 continues with a new version featuring upgraded engines and ranges.

Although a European brand, Polestar has a certain exotic appeal for us French, since it is not available in mainland France. This is due to a legal dispute over the logo that led Citroën to ban its sale in France, but the manufacturers have since laid down their weapons. However, no launch is in sight for Polestar in France, which continues its journey elsewhere in Europe, including Belgium and Switzerland. Our French-speaking neighbors will now enjoy a new version of the Polestar 2 unveiled this Tuesday.

The electric sedan has undergone a sort of facelift, which only affects the grille. Now solid, it features a “Smart Zone” strip from the Polestar 3 housing camera and radar sensors. Still compact for a family car at about 4.61 meters long, the Swedish model significantly updates its technical components.

Goodbye front-wheel drive, hello rear-wheel drive and long range

The base versions keep the smaller of the two batteries – 69 kWh now from LG Chem – but switch from front-wheel to rear-wheel drive, similar to the Volvo XC40. Currently rear-wheel driven, the Polestar 2 still has a single motor but now outputs 200 kW compared to 170 kW previously (or 272 hp), with a maximum torque of 490 Nm. Its range increases by 40 km, totaling 518 km, with a charging power of 135 kW.

This Standard Range variant is also available in a “Long Range” model with the larger battery, increasing from 78 to 82 kWh and originally made by CATL. With 220 kW power, it also boasts a higher range. With 635 km in WLTP cycle, it surpasses the previous model by 84 km and exceeds Tesla Model 3 Long Range (626 km).

More powerful all-wheel-drive versions

As before, this battery is available in 4-wheel-drive versions with two “Dual Motor” motors, one of 310 kW (421 hp) — up from 300 kW — and the Performance of 350 kW (476 hp), both with a torque of 740 Nm.

The performance is even better as the torque ratio has been revised for behavior closer to a rear-wheel drive. The front motor of the Polestar 2 is sometimes even cut to improve efficiency during gentle driving. Charging now allows a maximum power of 205 kW in DC fast charging.

Under €50,000 in Belgium and Switzerland

This new Polestar 2 for 2023 is already available for order. Prices start at €49,990 for the Standard Range RWD version in Belgium and 48,900 CHF in Switzerland. The standard equipment is more generous, including blind-spot detectors, 360° camera, rear collision alerts, and wireless phone charger. However, deliveries of this model are not expected before next summer.

Also read: Hyundai Ioniq 6: versions, prices, and range of the 100% electric sedan