- Polestar 3 is the company's first SUV and its first car to be produced on two continents
- The unique design inspired by Polestar Precept makes production debut
- All-electric SUV as a five-seater with power output of up to 380 kW and 910 Nm
- Comprehensive standard equipment available at market launch; price from 89,900 euros[1]
Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) officially introduces the Polestar 3 electric performance SUV. Scandinavian minimalism and purism combine with the key characteristics of a sport utility vehicle to define the SUV for the electric age. Polestar 3 strives to not only make the SUV more relevant and responsible, but to make it desirable for all the right reasons.
"The Polestar 3 is a high-performance electric SUV that appeals to all the senses with a distinctive, Scandinavian design and excellent driving dynamics," said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar. "With the launch of Polestar manufacturing in the United States, we are expanding our manufacturing presence. We are proud and excited to expand our portfolio as we continue our rapid growth."
The Polestar 3 showcases a new aerodynamic profile with special emphasis on maintaining the typical characteristics of an SUV, including a powerful and wide stance. This was achieved through subtle but effective aerodynamic optimization - including an aero wing integrated into the front of the hood and an aero blade integrated into the rear spoiler.
"This car was designed from the outset to be a Polestar, and it has distinctive features that are new to us - such as the split headlights, SmartZone and front Aero Wing," Thomas Ingenlath continued.
The Polestar 3's interior materials were selected for their sustainability features while providing a premium aesthetic and luxurious feel. These include "bio-attributed" MicroTech, animal welfare-certified leather and fully traceable wool upholstery.
The Polestar 3 is Polestar's first vehicle to feature the NVIDIA DRIVE Core computer with software from Volvo Cars. NVIDIA's powerful automotive platform processes data from the vehicle's numerous sensors and cameras to enable advanced driver assistance safety features and driver monitoring.
The infotainment system is based on the next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit platform from Qualcomm Technologies Inc. As a central component of the Snapdragon Digital Chassis - a comprehensive suite of open and scalable cloud-connected automotive platforms - the Snapdragon Cockpit platform is deployed to deliver immersive experiences throughout the vehicle with its high-performance capability for high-definition displays, premium-quality surround sound and seamless connectivity.
Part of the Polestar 3 DNA is Volvo Cars' advanced safety technologies. With Volvo Cars recently ushering in a new era of safety, the next generation of active and passive safety features are also coming to the Polestar 3. This includes the latest innovation: radar sensors in the interior, which can detect movements in the submillimeter range. This prevents children or pets from being unintentionally left inside the vehicle. The system is also linked to the air conditioning system to prevent heat stroke or hypothermia.
Further collaborations with industry-leading safety technology partners such as Zenseact, Luminar and Smart Eye provide the Polestar 3 with state-of-the-art Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology that can be seamlessly integrated thanks to centralized computing power.
As standard, the Polestar 3 features a total of five radar modules, five external cameras and twelve external ultrasonic sensors that support numerous advanced safety functions. The SmartZone under the front aero wing, which houses multiple forward-facing sensors, a heated radar module and a camera, is becoming a hallmark of the Polestar design. Inside, two ClosedLoop driver monitoring cameras bring Smart Eye's leading eye-tracking technology for safer driving to a Polestar for the first time. The cameras monitor the eyes of the person driving and can trigger alerts, sounds and even an emergency braking function if the person driving is detected as distracted, drowsy or mentally absent.
Android Automotive OS is the vehicle's operating system, developed in partnership with Google and operated via a 14.5-inch display in the center of the vehicle. It is an evolution of that technology first introduced in the Polestar 2 - the world's first car with Google on board - and a revolution in terms of functionality and design for the large SUV segment. Over-the-air (OTA) updates enable continuous improvement of the software and the introduction of new features without having to visit a service point.
At launch, the Polestar 3 is available in a rear-drive, dual engine configuration. The standard vehicle produces a total of 360 kW and 840 Nm of torque. With the optional Performance Package, total output is 380 kW and 910 Nm. The adjustable one-pedal drive is also included, as is an electric torque vectoring dual clutch function on the rear axle - a further development of the technology first used in the Polestar 1. To save energy, a decoupling function is available for the rear electric motor, allowing the vehicle to be operated only with the front electric motor under certain circumstances.
The standard dual-chamber air suspension provides advanced chassis control, allowing the Polestar 3 to switch between more comfortable and dynamic suspension characteristics. The vehicle can electronically adjust its active damper speed every two milliseconds (500 Hz).
"Our goal was to provide the performance and precision that characterizes all Polestar vehicles without compromising the comfort of everyday driving," said Joakim Rydholm, Polestar's chief chassis engineer. "We've used new components like adaptive air suspension to achieve the 'Polestar feel' for this type of car."
A 111-kWh battery pack gives the Polestar 3 a generous planned range of up to 610 km WLTP (preliminary data).[2] The lithium-ion battery features a prismatic cell design housed in a protective aluminum case with boron steel reinforcement and liquid cooling. A standard heat pump helps the Polestar 3 use ambient heat for climate and battery conditioning. The Polestar 3 is also equipped for bidirectional charging, offering vehicle-to-grid and plug-and-charge capabilities in the future.
As with the Polestar 2, the Polestar 3's list of standard equipment is extensive with a few additional options to simplify configuration and production logistics. All versions feature air suspension, a full-length panoramic glass roof, full LED lighting inside and out, retractable door handles with proximity sensors and 21-inch alloy wheels. The Plus Package and Pilot Package are standard in the first model year and include a range of premium, luxury and convenience features such as a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system with 3D surround sound and Dolby Atmos function, soft-closing doors, a head-up display and Pilot Assist.
The optional Pilot Package with LiDAR from Luminar, which can be ordered from the second quarter of 2023, includes an additional control unit from NVIDIA, three cameras, four ultrasonic sensors and a cleaning function for the front and rear cameras. It provides accurate real-time data about the vehicle's surroundings, especially at long range, enabling enhanced 3D scanning of the vehicle's surroundings in greater detail and helping to prepare the vehicle for autonomous driving.
The optional Performance Package further enhances driving dynamics and includes maximum power and torque output (380 kW and 910 Nm) as well as performance optimization of the air suspension, unique 22-inch alloy wheels and additional distinctive details in "Swedish Gold" color.
The Polestar 3 is the first vehicle based on a new all-electric technology platform developed and shared by Volvo Cars. Production for the first launch markets[3] is scheduled to begin at Volvo Cars' plant in Chengdu, China, in a gradual ramp-up phase[3] starting in mid-2023, with first deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Additional manufacturing in the United States, at Volvo Cars' Ridgeville, South Carolina, plant, is expected to follow in mid-2024 - at which point it is planned to shift deliveries to North America and other markets from China to the United States. The first deliveries from this plant are expected around mid-2024.
At market launch, the Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Engine (360 kW, 840 Nm) will be available at an indicative introductory price of 89,900 euros[1]. Online orders will be available in all initial launch markets from October 12, 2022[3], with full specifications available at polestar.com/polestar-3.
Notes to editors:
[1] Based on retail price in Germany including transfer fee. Local market pricing will be provided in local market press releases.
[2] Preliminary technical data, final data on energy consumption and range will be published at a later date in 2023.
[3] Anticipated market availability:
- Initial launch markets: deliveries expected from Q4 2023 in North America, Europe and China.
- Downstream launch markets: deliveries expected in 2024 in Asia-Pacific, Middle East (exact timing not yet determined)
