The Polestar 2 has been renewed: for the 2024 model year, it mainly carries technological innovations. We have already been able to drive it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Of this Polestar model, which has been available since 2020, around 120,000 examples have been sold worldwide, and in the first half of 2023, this still young brand registered 32 percent more cars than the previous year. In addition, SUV models will soon be on the market: the Polestar 3 and the Polestar 4.
Design: only the front of the Polestar 2 is new
So that he Polestar 2 can keep up to date with its own model portfolio, the Swedish brand has given its best-seller an update. Officially, however, they are not talking about a facelift, but rather an update. The term cosmetic surgery would be very appropriate, because visually it only changes in the front part.
The only innovation is the closed grill. That is how Polestar adapts the sedan to the new face of the brand. The black radiator grill has disappeared, however, adapting it to the new face of the brand inaugurated by the two SUVs. Polestar 3 and 4.
Otherwise, apart from the new 20-inch wheels for the optional Performance package, nothing has changed on the exterior. Profile, rear… everything remains the same.
An autonomy of up to 654 kilometers
Where there are many new features is in the technology of the Polestar 2. Like its sister model, the Volvo XC40, the Polestar now has rear-wheel drive.
The electric car is available in four power levels. Even the basic “Standard Range Single Motor” version now has significantly higher power: it has increased from the previous 170 kW (231 HP) to 200 kW (272 HP). If the large battery (“Long Range Single Motor”) is ordered, up the ante to 220 kW (299 HP) are available (previously it was also 170 kW).
But there is even more: with the “Long Range Dual Motor” and all-wheel drive instead of the previous 300 kW (408 HP), it now delivers 310 kW (422 HP). If the Performance package is ordered, that remains unchanged at 350 kW (476 HP).
Apart from more power, the Swedes have equipped the sedan with improved lithium-ion batteries under the floor, which should have a positive effect on efficiency, capacity and charging capacity.
Maximum charging power of 205 kW
The battery of the “Standard Range” variant still has a capacity of 69 kWh and can now be charged with up to 135 kW. Polestar promises a WLTP autonomy up to 532 kilometers.
In the “Long Range” version and the two models with all-wheel drive, an 82 kWh battery is now used (previously 78 kWh), which promises a maximum range of up to 654 kilometers with rear-wheel drive, about 100 kilometers more than before. The brand tells us that the dual-motor version covers up to 591 kilometers according to WLTP (568 kilometers with the Performance package). Charging is carried out here with a power of maximum load 205 kW DC.
Behavior: is the change to rear-wheel drive noticeable?
In it Goodwood Festival of Speedwe had the opportunity to test the 2024 model. The Polestar 2 was available with a long-range single motor with an 82 kWh battery and 220 kW (299 HP).
As soon as you walk in, you have to get used to it, because the steering wheel It is on the right side: after all, we are in England. Also unusual for combustion engine drivers is that the Polestar does not need to be started. Just get in, hit the brake and the car is ready. I insert the “D” position, and it starts rolling.
During the first few meters, my gaze wanders around the cockpit and everything seems familiar. Hasn’t anything changed inside? Well no, and I don’t think it’s bad, because I love the interior of the Polestar 2. Everything is very organized, the concept of operation is well thought out.
The 12.3-inch digital instrumentation It still has a classic speedometer visor, the 11.2-inch touch screen in portrait format (with Android Automotive) has excellent usability. The choice of materials is consistently good and there are beautiful details such as the illuminated Polestar logo on the gear selector or the frameless exterior mirrors.
But let’s go back to its behavior: at least in normal operation, I don’t feel the change to rear-wheel drive. But as soon as I enter the highway the increase in strength is noticeable, and in what way. This is mainly due to the maximum torque, which has increased from 330 to 490 Nm, and I can feel it behind the wheel. Now go from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 instead of 7.4. Additionally, all Polestar 2s can now reach 205 km/h with the update, previously less powerful models were limited to 160 km/h.
This means that the Polestar 2 is not only faster than all current Volvo models (maximum 180 km/h), but also outperforms some similar German electric cars.
Declared consumption seems optimistic
I change to a country road. All the Polestar 2 are equipped as standard with the so-called dynamic chassis, for an additional charge there is an adjustable Öhlins chassis in the Performance package (only for dual motor).
But even the standard chassis leaves a sporty impression with its firm tuning, and the steering is comparatively direct for an electric car, meaning the Polestar 2 can move quite happily.
On the topic of consumption, I could not make any valid checks in the test, which was only about 40 kilometers long. However, the 15.8 kWh/100 km The specifications seem very optimistic to me, because the consumption for a short distance was around 22 kWh/100 km.
Factors to decide the purchase
The Polestar 2 is an electric car for those who long for those with a combustion engine. It drives sporty, has a great design and offers decent range. I would opt for the “Long Range Single Motor”. Of course, the other dual motor variant is attractive, but with 299 HP, the single motor is perfectly suitable for traveling.
