Polestar 3 EV SUV, All you want to know & watch about a Great Car
Polestar 3 EV SUV Targets Sportiness, 370-Mile Range Estimate
Polestar teases the anticipated WLTP European test cycle EV range estimate for its first upcoming SUV.
With the Polestar 1 out of production, the Swedish startup EV automaker is down to a lineup of just one car, the Polestar 2 electric sedan, but not for long. This October, the all-new Polestar 3, the brand’s first electric SUV model, will join the lineup, and it should come with decent driving range if the company’s estimates end up accurate.
Polestar hasn’t left much up to the imagination for the October reveal, as today it included a broadside image of the new SUV along with the full reveal date announcement. The image previews a design that looks to incorporate a bit of everything we’ve seen from the new brand so far, mixing the styling of the 2 sedan and the upcoming Polestar 5 flagship model with the rounded form seen on the O2 roadster concept.
The front end takes the upgraded “Thor’s hammer” headlight motif and fascia elements from the Polestar Precept concept that is said to preview a production 5 flagship, and merges it with a curved roofline and rear hatchback to form the compact SUV’s silhouette.
We also spot a front air spoiler/curtain that looks like it directs air over the hood, likely for improved aerodynamic and potential performance benefits. Polestar says the 3 will be a “sporty” SUV, and we can also make out its gold seatbelts and brake calipers peeking out from behind the 22-inch wheels in the image provided.
When the new 3 launches in October, Polestar says it will come with a dual-motor powertrain paired to a large battery pack, and the automaker is targeting a range of 600 kilometers, or 372 miles. That’s listed for the European WLTP testing cycle which often has inflated estimates compared to methods of testing used by the U.S. EPA, so we expect a slightly lower range estimate stateside.
Order books will open this October, with the 3 scheduled to go into production in early 2023 at factories in the U.S. and China. “Polestar 3 is the SUV for the electric age. Our design identity evolves with this high-end large luxury EV, with a strong, individual brand character,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. “With this car, we bring the ‘sport’ back to the SUV, staying true to our performance roots.”
The company projects its sales will grow from just 29,000 units moved in 2021 up to 290,000 units by the end of 2025. To get there, the brand will introduce at least one new model each year starting with the 3, including a future second SUV model, and expand its sales presence to at least 30 global markets by the end of next year.
Justin Westbrook – Writer /Â Manufacturer – Photographer / motortrend
2023 Polestar 3 Starting at $75,000 est
Overview
Described as an “aerodynamic performance electric SUV,” the 2023 Polestar 3 will join the growing number of new electric automobiles with high aspirations. Although Polestar has only teased a single image of its newest model, its streamlined roofline, prominent fenders, and dramatic wheel arches have us smitten.
We’re told it’ll boast single- and dual-motor configurations as well as a cutting-edge infotainment system that’ll presumably feature the next generation of the company’s current Android Automotive OS. It’ll be equipped with an array of active safety features, too, which will include Volvo’s lidar technology that’s said to eventually enable full self-driving. We also know that the Polestar 3 will ride on a new EV platform when it begins global production sometime in 2023.
What’s New for 2023?
The Polestar 3 is a new EV SUV. As indicated by its model name, it’s the third entry in Polestar’s slowly expanding lineup. The latter will include a large flagship sedan based on the Precept concept, however, the production model will be called the Polestar 5. The 3 will also be the first Polestar built in America, joining the S60 sedan and next-gen XC90 SUV at Volvo’s new plant in South Carolina.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Polestar has only released a few details about the upcoming 3 SUV, and the company hasn’t said how much it’ll cost. With starting prices for competitors such as the Jaguar I-Pace and BMW iX ranging between about $71k and $84k, respectively, we’d bet that the Polestar 3 starts somewhere in the middle. However, we’ll have to wait for official pricing and a list of available options before we can recommend which one to buy.
As more information becomes available, we’ll update this story with more details about:
- EV Motor, Power, and Performance
- Range, Charging, and Battery Life
- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
- Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
- Infotainment and Connectivity
- Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
BYÂ ERIC STAFFORD / caranddriver