Single motor variant for Polestar 2 The electric liftback is set to switch from front-wheel drive (FWD) to rear-wheel drive (RWD) as part of the newly announced update.
Polestar today detailed a number of changes for its Tesla Model 3 rival, including a new electric motor setup and battery that brings more power and range, revised exterior styling and additional standard features. Although not confirmed, we also expect some price increases.
Australian customers will be able to order a 2024 Polestar 2 in the second quarter of 2023 via the Polestar Australia website. The first shipment is expected in the third quarter of this year.
This 2024 model year update to the Polestar 2 follows almost identical changes to the Volvo XC40 and C40 Recharge electric crossovers based on the same CMA architecture and made in the same Chinese factory.
Two new single-motor RWD powertrains will be offered in the Polestar 2, replacing the existing single-motor FWD powertrain.
The Standard Range Single Motor now powered by one mounted on the back production of electric motors 200kW power and 490Nm torque (up 30kW and 160Nm).
The battery in this vehicle keeps it going 69kWh capacity but is a new pack derived from LG Chem. It has a claimed range 518 km follow WLTP test (ride 40km) and can DC fast charging at the maximum rate 135kW (up from 130kW).
Meanwhile Long Range Single Motor also powered by one mounted on the back motor, but the power has crashed 220kW.
The new Long Distance uses a 82kWh sourced from CATL lithium-ion battery pack. It has a claimed range 635km WLTP (up 84km) and can DC is charged at the maximum rate 205kW (up from 155kW).
Polestar claims the single-motor RWD model can perform 0-100km/h rush in 6.4 seconds and 6.2 seconds respectively – around a second faster than the previous FWD model.
The last model to receive some powertrain updates is the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor.
It is now powered by back bias dual-electric motor AWD powertrain that produces a total system output of 310kW and 740Nm (up 10kW and 80Nm). Polestar claims this model can accelerate from 0-100km/h 4.5 seconds.
The power in the Long Range Dual Motor can be bumped 350kW by Performance Pack available as an over-the-air performance software download. Adding the Performance Pack to the Dual Motor Long Range reduces 0-100km/h time up to 4.2 seconds.
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Model year 2023 is indicated
The front electric motor in the Long Range Dual Motor can now disconnect to maximize range. It also comes with a new CATL-sourced 82kWh lithium-ion battery with a claimed range of 592km according to the WLTP test, up to a whopping 105km.
“Switching from front-to-rear drive in the single-motor variant, and recalibrating the torque ratio in the dual-motor variant for a greater rear-wheel drive feel, elevates the Polestar 2 driving experience to a new level. ,” said Polestar head of chassis development Joakim Rydholm.
“The updated Polestar 2 is a more nimble and agile car, retaining its compactness and complete sense of control, while at the same time becoming more mature with added comfort.”
In addition to the electric powertrain and battery tweaks, the 2024 Polestar 2 receives a new hollow grille inspired by the Polestar 3 SUV. Dubbed the SmartZone, this grille houses the vehicle’s front-facing camera and mid-range radar.
The 20-inch forged alloy wheels in the Performance Pack for the Long Range Dual Motor have also been updated to look similar to the Polestar 3.
Finally, all Polestar 2 variants now come with a wireless phone charger and auto-dimming exterior side mirrors.
They also now all come standard with safety features including blind spot monitoring with steering support, cross-traffic alert with brake support, autonomous rear emergency braking (AEB) and a surround view camera. Some of these features were previously locked behind option packs.
Australian pricing for the 2024 Polestar 2 has yet to be detailed. It is expected to be announced closer to when orders open.
The range currently starts from $63,900 before on-road costs for the Standard Range Single Motor front-wheel drive, and rises to $73,400 before on-road for the Long Range Dual Motor all-wheel drive.
Given the additional equipment and additional power, it is reasonable to speculate about the price increase, although it is important to take into account that Tesla’s main competitor has only reduced its price.
The Polestar 2 was the fourth best-selling electric vehicle (EV) in Australia last year with 1524 examples sold. It was outsold by the Tesla Model 3 (10,877 sales), the Tesla Model Y (8717 sales), and the BYD Atto 3 (2113 sales).
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Model year 2023 is indicated
Polestar, which recently floated as a company, estimates it sold 51,500 vehicles last year, up 80 percent year-on-year and bolstered by a sizeable fourth-quarter delivery figure of 21,000 vehicles. It expects to increase sales to 80,000 units by 2023.
- Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor
- Battery 69kWh
- DC charging 135kW
- Maximum range 518km
- 200kW and 490Nm
- Rear wheel drive
- 6.4 seconds 0-100km/h
- Polestar 2 Long Distance Single Motor
- 82kWh battery
- DC charging 205kW
- Maximum range 635km
- 220kW and 490Nm
- Rear wheel drive
- 6.2 seconds 0-100km/h
- Polestar 2 Dual Motor Long Range
- 82kWh battery
- DC charging 205kW
- Maximum range 592km
- 310kW and 740Nm
- All wheel drive
- 4.5 seconds 0-100km/h
- Polestar 2 Dual Motor Long Range
- 82kWh battery
- DC charging 205kW
- Maximum range 592km
- 350kW and 740Nm
- All wheel drive
- 4.2 seconds 0-100km/h
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