The Pole Star is the brightest star in the Ursa Minor constellation and a landmark for those who need to find their way at night to avoid getting lost. Visible to the naked eye, this star has the power to guide people along the right path, because in the presence of its rays, they always know where north is. North Star, as its name suggests, has a lot in common with this illuminant, as it has the ultimate will to soar and then become a beacon for all to avoid getting lost in the rugged field of electric cars. Success in this ambitious mission requires products of refined quality, and the answer to that point is cheerful North Star 2. The hatchback finally arrives in Italy after a long wait, but on the other hand we know the state of the Italian car market, which has resisted the impulses of electrification for too long and has only recently become more open to new scenarios. Definitely sure to gain a foothold in Bel Paese, the Polestar 2 brings the icy charm of Scandinavian cars from stylistic simplicity, avant-garde technology, top-notch safety and driving dynamics with attention to the smallest detail. We tested its intrinsic qualities in its natural habitat, the Arctic Circle, in the heart of Finnish winter.
An arctic style
See her moving in the nearby forest Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, plowing through roads thick with snow and ice is a spectacle that looks as much like a perfect encounter, a harmonious combination, not to say magical as that of Santa Claus driving by on his reindeer sleigh at night from the 24th to the 24th of December. December; the latter resides among other things in the quiet Finnish town, where it is possible to visit its headquarters. Beyond the color notes, the Polestar was born as a rib Volvo cars and even if its new hatchback will be produced in the factories of Geely in Liqiao, China, it has everything to do with the Scandinavian car. Aesthetically, it’s sturdy and vaguely angular, with a gritty front and not-too-distinct tail. Its line is clean, rational and without excessive frills, as are the available colors, which vary from white to black and interspersed with different shades of gray, but all essential to underline the multiple aesthetic details. In short, they are Nordic and want to show this in all possible facets.
If you are looking for a little more liveliness, you can choose the package power adding 20-inch alloy wheels and yellow Brembo brake calipers. The connection between the Polestar 2 and its origins is expressed even better in the interiors, which follow a minimalist and sometimes cold scheme, in line with arctic design dictates. The materials are precious, the assemblies of excellent level, while technology is the cornerstone of a modern and avant-garde interior. The dashboard develops horizontally, although the large central (and vertical) screen dominates the scene. The cluster behind the wheel is also fully digital, which, in addition to the classic speed, allows you to view other screens, including the navigator. The seats are beautiful in terms of design and materials, heated front and rear, as is the multifunction steering wheel, which gives a sturdy grip and a comfortable warmth when you’re cold. The panoramic roof is also valuable, with the Polestar logo projected onto the glass surface at the level of the ceiling light.
The decision to rely on Android Automotive
The decision to equip the Polestar 2 with the Android Automotive It’s a really smart solution. The current user mainly uses infotainment for navigation, so Polestar’s idea of relying on the best in this field makes the overall experience more intuitive and functional. With this type of system you have the feeling of interacting with your smartphone in a fluid and easy way, switching from one function to another with a simple click for almost total satisfaction. It doesn’t end there as Android Automotive is also connected to the Play Store apps, besides it also offers some possibilities to the owners of iOSthanks to the integration of Apple CarPlay. Obviously, Android Auto is no longer required as you just need to sign in with your account in the native UI to access all the services and apps on your mobile device. another clever idea that will help you avoid draining the smartphone battery excessively.
The motors
Originally, the Polestar brand was born to add more spice Volvothat corporate events have developed into an independent reality today, the sporting character has not been lost over time, quite the opposite. From the moment you step aboard Polestar 2, it’s clear that performance, dynamics and driving experience are a prerogative of pure excellence. There will no longer be heat engines that drive a nice package of emotions and fun, but an electric drive that really gives you a jolt when you are behind the wheel. For its hatchback, the Scandinavian house offers different solutions to satisfy the palate of every motorist: the Standard series single motor, which has a single permanent magnet motor and therefore front-wheel drive, has an output of 170 kW (231 hp) with 330 Nm of torque, 69 kWh battery and 478 km of range, with the cold numbers putting the top speed at 160 km/h, while the dash from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; there Long range single engine always front-wheel drive, 170 kW (231 hp) with 330 Nm, top speed 160 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, 78 kWh battery and 551 km range; and finally the Long range dual engine which has two permanent magnet electric motors, all-wheel drive, 300 kW (408 hp) with 660 Nm, 205 km/h top speed, a 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds and a 78 kWh battery and 487 km travels range. The latter version can be integrated with service packages which increases engine power to 350 kW (476 hp), even if it reduces the overall range by around thirty kilometers.
Impressions behind the wheel
The first phase of our test in the Arctic Circle took us to a tedious and extreme battlefield: a circuit with different sections in the middle of the forest with snow-covered and icy roads. The electric hatchback we tested was the Long Range Dual Motor version, the four-wheel drive version best suited to the rough conditions of Scandinavian roads. We first tested it on a specific track for thehandling, in which he demonstrated how the work of the Swedish technicians hits the mark, as the steering proves to be as precise as it is direct, always giving a pleasant sense of control of the responsive vehicle quickly responding to human requests. In the second test phase, we were able to touch its potential, albeit in a difficult climatic scenario, put the engine under load and put the set-up to the test. The latter has proven to be rigid to the right point – especially for those who like it sporty – but those who want to take it even more extreme can embellish the Polestar 2 Dual Motor with the Performance Pack that adds Ohlins suspension (adjustable) which are the best the market has to offer so far. The last session allowed us to measure the electric sedan with the “elk test” and stimulate the limits reached by the chassis. The end result was very satisfactory because, despite disabling all the electronic stability controls at his disposal, which relied solely on the chassis, the Swede never collapsed to avoid the obstacle at different speeds (50-60-70 km/h) and to find that shortly after the unpredictable danger back on the road. And if the user wants to have a rear-wheel drive sports car under his arm, he needs to know that the all-wheel drive distributes 60% of the power exactly to the rear. Sportiness is therefore guaranteed, while the top speed threshold set at 160 km/h for the single motors and 205 km/h for the dual motors should not deter you, because even if this limit might turn someone’s nose up, it is established in the name of safety, a Prerogative of the Volvo/Polestar Universe.
In urban and suburban areas, where most drivers are likely to use it, the Polestar 2 strikes the perfect balance between battery regeneration thanks to exceptional comfort and some particularly effective technical solutions, such as the one-pedal driving function (among the best tested to date). and braking system. Consumption chapter: Polestar 2 recharges up to a maximum of 155 kW in direct current the 78 kWh batteryup to 130 kW (DC) with the b69 kWh battery. The 78kWh battery uses NMC pocket cells, while the 69kWh battery uses prismatic cells, again with NMC chemistry; The premises are good and in our short test we understood that the range of almost 500 km is a scenario closer to reality than fantasy.
Prices and Floor Plans
- Standard range single engine: from 52,200 euros
- Long range single engine: from 55,700 euros
- Long Range Dual Motor: from 59,200 euros
The standard equipment is very extensive: infotainment with Android Automotive and 11.15″ screen, 12.3″ digital cluster, 4 USB-C, 8 speakers, Bluetooth, e-SIM, 3-year connection to Google services, digital Keys, app, light & rain sensors, power tailgate, semi-power front seats with lumbar support, parking sensors (front and rear), reversing camera, dual-zone AC, heated front seats, everything ADAS level 2 easy (Safety, not semi-automatic), LED headlights, full LED lamps (including “Thor’s Hammer” front and rear daytime running lights), heated and electric frameless mirrors, 19″ alloy wheels and automatic high beams.
the Plus package, worth 4,500 euros, adds the heat pump and heated wiper blades, along with heated rear seats and steering wheel, panoramic glass roof, fully electric driver’s seat (like the front passenger’s seat), induction charging (15W), glazed tailgates and rear floor with divider and bag hooks. the service packages it is worth 6,500 euros and can only be combined with the LR Dual Motor, but is characterized by 20″ forged alloy wheels with Continental tires, anti-roll bar, Brembo 4-piston brakes with perforated discs and gold calipers, Ohlins Dual Flow Valve adjustable shock absorbers and a software update that boosts maximum power to 350 kW and torque to 680 Nm Pilot Lite (starting at €3,000) offers blind spot monitoring with active steering correction, rear and intersection monitoring, adaptive cruise control, 360° camera, LED fog lights with low beam and tinted exterior mirrors.