Polestar, the Volvo Car Group’s performance brand, announced its future as a new standalone electric performance car brand. Polestar currently builds the S60 and V60 Polestar, performance road cars with over 250 developments over-and-above the standard Volvo products. It also offers Polestar Engineered performance hardware upgrades and engine software optimizations for existing Volvo products.

In a joint venture with Volvo’s parent company Geely, Polestar is unveiling the 600hp Polestar 1. The Polestar 1 is a two-door, 2+2 seat Grand Tourer Coupe with an ‘Electric Performance Hybrid’ drivetrain. It is an electric car supported by an internal combustion engine. At 93 miles on pure electric power alone, it has the longest full electric range of any hybrid car on the market.

Polestar 1 benefits from a host of new technologies, all aimed at making it a true driver’s car. Polestar 1 is the world’s first car to be fitted with the all-new class-leading Ohlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension advanced chassis technology. Making it able to respond in 2 milliseconds to changes in road conditions and allow the driver to adjust ride and damping on the go.

A carbon fiber body reduces body weight and improves torsional stiffness by 45%, as well as lowering the cars’ center of gravity. Additionally, Polestar 1 uses a double electric rear axle which enables torque vectoring. This supports the driver with precise acceleration on each wheel to keep the maximum road grip and maintain speed while cornering. Braking hardware from Akebono includes front brake discs with six-piston calipers.

Most electric cars are fast, but Polestar “Progressive Performance” is also about cornering, braking, suspension control, chassis feedback and steering feel.

The Polestar 1 will be built in the state-of-the-art Polestar Production Center in China. Currently under construction, it is due for completion in mid-2018 with cars set to roll out in mid-2019.

All future cars from Polestar will have a fully electric powertrain. Polestar 2 will start production later in 2019 and be a mid-sized sedan battery-electric vehicle (BEV), followed by Polestar 3 a larger performance SUV-style BEV.

Polestar will also debut a new ownership model with access to its vehicles via an online subscription service that eliminates traditional ownership concerns like insurance, maintenance, and depreciation.

Users will be able to book valet services, change vehicles for vacations should they require something larger, add accessories like a roof box for short term use, and pay for it all with a monthly inclusive bill over a fixed two or three year term.

Who knew? – Legendary, all-around Polestar performance in an electric vehicle that you subscribe to online. Polestar also recognizes that customers still want to be able to physically engage with the brand so there will be a network of Polestar Spaces around the world. But will there be a Polestar Space here in the Northwest? Not to fear, our very own Sandberg Northwest Volvo Cars will be handling any Polestar needs for this area. So if you have any Polestar needs or need a source for genuine Volvo parts and accessories at a great discount – try our online catalog at VolvoCarsPartsPeople.com.