The battery-electric ’24 Polestar 2 will offer improved range, efficiency and performance while reducing its carbon footprint, the automaker says.
Hardware upgrades including larger batteries and revamped motors allow the fastback sedan to travel up to 20% further, consume up to 9% less energy and charge up to 34% faster, Polestar says.
The long-range single-motor version is now certified for up to an EPA-rated 320 miles (515 km), while maximum DC charging speed increases to 205 kW with a new 82-kWh battery. The long-range dual-motor model is rated at up to 276 miles (444 km), with maximum charging speed increasing to 155 kW.
A change to rear-wheel drive for the single-motor version and a rear bias for the dual-motor version make the ’24 Polestar 2 more fun to drive, as power delivery benefits from weight shifting over the driven wheels, the automaker says.
Since the Polestar 2 launched in 2019 the automaker has continuously reduced the BEV’s carbon footprint. This has been accomplished by using low-carbon aluminum in the wheels and battery tray, improving battery chemistry and switching to renewable electricity in Polestar’s Chinese factory.
“We absolutely love Polestar 2 – such a stylish, fun car to drive,” Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath says in a news release. “Our engineers have worked hard to integrate important upgrades that really enhance the overall package, and they’ve made it even better. We are proud to see we can do this without increasing its carbon footprint, but rather reducing it.”
Polestar plans to offer a lineup of five performance BEVs by 2026. In addition to Polestar 2, the Polestar 3 CUV launched in late 2022. The Polestar 4 CUV coupé is launching in phases through 2023 and into 2024, to be followed by the Polestar 5 GT and Polestar 6 roadster.
Global Polestar deliveries for 2022 totaled 51,491, up 80% from 2021, the company says. The target for 2023 is 80,000 units. The Polestar 2 model is expected to account for most of the increase in 2023, Polestar USA chief Gregor Hembrough said at the Polestar 3’s North American launch in April.
Polestar is a partnership between Sweden’s Volvo Car and China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Volvo’s parent company. Its cars are available online in 27 markets globally across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
