Sino-Swedish electric vehicle maker, Polestar, has said that its upcoming saloon, the Polestar 5, will feature an all-new Polestar-exclusive electric powertrain which could develop as much as 884hp.
The Polestar 5 fastback grand tourer, slated for launch in 2024, is an evolution of the well-received Precept concept that the company unveiled in 2020, and, although the firm has given a fair idea of what the car will look like, not a whole lot has so far been revealed about its technical specs.
It will feature a new lightweight bonded aluminium chassis which will lower weight, thus helping performance, driving dynamics and efficiency. As for its power delivery, however, the first details are only beginning to emerge.
"The new powertrain we are working on will set a new brand benchmark in our high-performing cars," said Jörg Brandscheid, Polestar's Chief Technology Officer and overall head of R&D.
"Combining strong electric motor engineering ability with advances in lightweight platform technology is leading to truly stunning driver's cars."
Tesla-beater?
Development of the powertrain is ongoing but the company says that it will feature a dual-motor set-up (and hence all-wheel drive), the aforementioned target outputs of 884hp and 900Nm of torque and 800-volt electrical architecture, which, among other things, will allow for rapid DC charging. Such a power output would make the Polestar 5 a little more powerful than competitors such as the standard Tesla Model S (836hp) and even some supercars such as the 829hp plug-in hybrid Ferrari 296 GTB.
"Polestar 5 is shaping up to be a superb four-door GT and a true Polestar at heart," said Pete Allen, head of Polestar's UK R&D division which is undertaking much of the chassis development work.
"The platform combines low-volume performance car attributes with modern technological advances to bring light-weight, high-rigidity sports car chassis technology into mass production."
The development prototype of the Polestar 5 will make its motor show debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK over the weekend.
Polestar in Ireland
Polestar, which is owned by Volvo and the Chinese car-maker Geely, launched itself in Ireland this year with, so far, just one model, the Polestar 2 electric saloon, sales of which began in May. It won't operate a dealer network per se, using instead retail spaces which are like mini-showrooms where potential customers can view cars and meet company representatives, with the buying process taking place online.
The company is still in the process of establishing itself and its retail spaces here, and a Polestar 2 will be available to view in Dundrum Shopping Centre for four weeks from June 17. Test drives, the company says, will be commencing "very soon" in Dublin and Cork.
Later this year, Polestar will add another model to its line-up, the Polestar 3 SUV with another SUV, the Polestar 4, following in 2023 before the Polestar 5 arrives in 2024.