More power, performance and range are added to the five-door Polestar 2 for the 2024 model year.
It gets up to 635km range (WLTP), quicker charging, SmartZone (also included in the Polestar 3 and which hosts some of the vehicle’s most important active safety features, including the front facing camera and mid-range radar), and driver awareness features and wireless phone charger.
The updated EV features a new high-tech front end, substantial performance increases with new electric motors, even more powerful batteries (Long-range versions now feature 82kWh batteries from CATL with 27 modules and standard-range versions have 69Wh with 24 modules now supplied by LG Chem.), sustainability improvements, and rear-wheel drive for the first time in a Polestar.
“With the new model year Polestar 2, we rather went below the surface and upgraded substantial tech and mechanical components of the electric drivetrain,” says Polestar chief executive Thomas Ingenlath.
“This is the best Polestar 2 yet, and with the updated front design with the new SmartZone, the best looking one, too.”
The Polestar 2 is available in 27 markets globally and surpassed 100,000 unit production in late 2022.
The 20-inch forged alloy wheels in the Performance Pack have been updated to align Polestar 2 in its sportiest expression with that of Polestar 3.
Next-generation electric motors and inverters are fitted to all Polestar 2 variants, offering substantial increases in both efficiency and performance.
Single-motor variants are now rear-wheel driven, powered by a newly developed permanent magnet motor and silicon carbide inverter with up to 220kW power (increased from 170kW) and 490Nm torque (up from 330Nm.
The zero to100km/h sprint time has been reduced by as much as 1.2 seconds, down to 6.2 seconds.
The dual-motor version now has a rear-drive bias thanks to a completely re-balanced drivetrain setup and torque-ratio. The new rear motor is the primary drive source, supported on the front axle by a new asynchronous motor. This enables higher total system output of 310kW and 740Nm (increased from the original 300kW and 660Nm), vastly improved traction, greater overall efficiency and higher performance – zero to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. The front motor can now be disengaged completely when not needed. When the driver wants more power, the front motor re-engages instantly.
Up to 350kW is available with the optional Performance Pack, and a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 4.2 seconds. The increase in power, performance and driving enjoyment is also available to purchase as a downloadable over-the-air performance software upgrade for any eligible long range dual motor cars.
“Changing from front- to rear-wheel drive in the single-motor variants, and re-calibrating the torque ratio in the dual-motor variant for an increased rear-wheel drive feel, elevates the Polestar 2 driving experience to a whole new level,” says Polestar chassis development head Joakim Rydholm.
“The updated Polestar 2 is an even more playful and agile car, retaining its compactness and complete sense of control, while at the same time becoming more mature with added comfort.”
Updated batteries benefit from a redesigned battery disconnect unit, upgraded busbars and improved cell chemistry – enabling faster charging rates of up to 205kW DC for long-range batteries and 135kW for the standard-range battery.
Range improvements are in effect for all versions due to the larger and improved batteries, and the optimisation of power delivery from the more powerful motors. The front motor disconnect function on the long range dual motor variant is particularly effective at maximising range, which is now up to 592km (WLTP), a 105km icnrease.
The standard range single motor version is now capable of up to 518km (WLTP), a 40km increase, and the long range single motor variant can now achieve up to 635km, an 84km increase.
Carbon emissions for versions with the new 82kWh battery have reduced by 1.1 tonnes to 5.9 tonnes per car (previously seven tonnes per car), due to improved cell chemistry. A full life cycle assessment (LCA) is planned later in 2023.
The model year 2024 Polestar 2 is available to order now at Polestar.com in European markets with more markets to follow.
First deliveries are expected in the third quarter of 2023, with pricing starting from 50,190 euros (NZ$83,929).
