Polestar, Volvo’s new performance brand has revealed the first of three high-performance models, the Polestar 1. Built at a purpose-built facility in China, it will start production in the middle of 2019. It delivers 600 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque thanks to its 4-cylinder Volvo Drive-E powertrain.

The Polestar 1 is a 2-door, 2+2 seater coupe with an “Electric Performance Hybrid” drivetrain. Based on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), around 50 percent is specifically made for the Polestar 1.

It has an all-new double electric motor system driving both rear wheels, connected together by planetary gears. Producing 218 horsepower, plus the support of an Integrated Starter Generator, the Polestar 1 in Pure mode, is a rear-wheel drive Electric performance car with up to 150 kilometers of range. The double electric motor also allows for torque vectoring, the first for a Volvo car.



For those needing increased range, or wanting to exploit the full performance attributes of the Polestar 1, the double electric rear motors combine with a Volvo Drive-E two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, powering the front wheels. In Power mode, the Polestar 1 delivers a total of 600 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque.

Keeping itself planted through corners, it’s fitted with a new Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi)—the world’s first car to be fitted with this advanced chassis technology.

With CESi, each Öhlins shock absorber is fitted with a new electronic valve. The valve constantly monitors the driver inputs and road surface conditions, reacting in two milliseconds, to immediately change the ride characteristics. The driver can also change the suspension setting including the chassis damping and ride quality to suit their personal tastes. Weight distribution is at 48/52, ensuring great handling.



Complementing the suspension technology is a powerful braking system made by Akebono. The 6-piston brake calipers and 400-millimeter discs provide maximum stopping capability.

Furthermore, the Polestar 1’s major body parts are made from carbon fiber. Not only does this reduce the weight by 230 kilograms, but it has increased the torsional stiffness by 45 percent. It also affords the Polestar 1 with a lower center of gravity.

Moving forward, Polestar has announced that all future cars will feature a fully electric powertrain.



Polestar 2 will start production later in 2019 and will be the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) from the Volvo Car Group. Polestar 2 will be a mid-sized fully-electric car that will join the competition around the Tesla Model 3. Polestar 2 is currently in the engineering phase and will start production before the end of 2019, delivering higher volumes than Polestar 1.

Polestar 3 is in the finishing stages of design and will be a larger SUV-style BEV, creating a modern expression of electric performance and driving dynamics, and sitting between Polestar 1 and Polestar 2 in terms of volume and pricing.