Polestar 2 to arrive as right-hand drive EV in 2020, with Polestar 3 to follow

http://ift.tt/2yt9cDM

Steve Fowler 2017-10-17 12:05

Polestar bosses confirm a Tesla Model 3-sized saloon will come to the UK first, followed by an SUV

New Swedish performance brand Polestar will expand its product line-up at some pace, promising that three brand new models will be on sale within the next four years and that right hand drive models will appear in the UK. 

Speaking at the launch of the brand’s debut model, the Polestar 1, Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Goodman told us: “Polestar 1 will start rolling out of our Chinese factory in the first quarter of 2019, and we’ll also show our second model, Polestar 2 that year. Polestar 3 will come a year later.”

Reassuringly for UK buyers, Goodman said that Polestars 2 and 3 will be available in right-hand drive – Polestar 1 will only be available in left-hand drive and in limited numbers due to technology like carbon fibre body parts. “The UK will be a massively important market for Polestar,” Goodman told us.

Goodman also confirmed that Polestar 2, a Tesla Model 3 rivalling saloon, would be on sale by 2020, while Polestar 3, an SUV, will go on sale in 2021. Unlike Polestar 1, the second and third models will be fully electric cars with no internal combustion engine. 

And although Polestar would be pushing subscription services to buyers, Polestar won’t be a digital-only brand like it’s upcoming Geely sibling Lynk & Co, with Polestar retailers expected around the UK. “We feel at this price point customers will want to touch, feel and experience our cars,” Goodman said. 

Polestar as a standalone performance brand was only conceived two years ago when Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson decided it would be too difficult for Volvo to produce a series of driver focussed cars. And although Volvo is owned by Chinese car maker Geely, Polestar sits within the Volvo group with CEO (and former Volvo design chief) Thomas Ingenlath reporting into Samuelsson.

Given the timescales involved, it’s no surprise the Polestar 1 bears such a close resemblance to Volvo’s S90 saloon and 2013’s Volvo Concept Coupe. However, insiders have hinted that Polestars 2 and 3 will have a look that is more unique to the Polestar brand.

Are you excited by Polestar's re-invention as a standalone brand? Let us know below...

from Featured Articles http://ift.tt/2igOYJD