What changed
Polestar 3 gains an 800 Volt platform. Charging speeds now reach 350 kW. A 10–80% session takes just 22 minutes. The Performance trim hits 500 kW. Smarter NVIDIA Orin computing delivers 254 TOPS. A retrofit starts in 2026. Trims now include Rear motor, Dual motor, and Performance. UK pricing begins at about $87,500.
WLTP range reaches up to 635 km. Battery options: 92 kWh and 106 kWh packs from CATL. Efficiency gains of up to 6% are listed.
800 Volt platform: faster DC charging and better trip cadence
The Polestar 3 now charges at up to 350 kW on Dual motor and Performance trims. The Rear motor reaches 310 kW. 10–80% can take as little as 22 minutes. That is over 25% faster than before.
Battery choices: 92 kWh for Rear motor, 106 kWh for Dual motor and Performance. All use CATL 800 V lithium-ion cells.
Trip math you can use
- A 10–80% session on the 106 kWh pack adds about 74 kWh.
- 350 kW peak fills energy quickly, tapering at higher charge states.
- A 22-minute stop adds hundreds of kilometers of range at highway pace.
AC charging remains simple
All trims support 11 kW AC charging for home and workplace installations.
Powertrain: new rear motor, smarter front axle, sharper response
The in-house rear motor boosts output. The front motor adds an automatic disconnect, cutting drag during light loads. A rear bias sharpens handling. The Performance trim reaches 500 kW.
Computing power: Orin steps in, features gain headroom
The swap to NVIDIA Orin boosts processing from 30 to 254 TOPS. That supports active safety and energy management. A free retrofit is due in 2026.
Trims, specs, and key figures
Three trims: Rear motor, Dual motor, and Performance. Equipment differs by region.
Power, range, and charging at a glance
| Trim | Power | Torque | 0–60 mph | WLTP range | Battery | DC peak | AC peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear motor | 245 kW | 480 Nm | 6.3 s | 375 mi | 92 kWh | 310 kW | 11 kW |
| Dual motor | 400 kW | 740 Nm | 4.5 s | 394 mi | 106 kWh | 350 kW | 11 kW |
| Performance | 500 kW | 870 Nm | 3.8 s | 368 mi | 106 kWh | 350 kW | 11 kW |
Efficiency figures (WLTP)
- Rear motor: 17.6–21.6 kWh/100 km
- Dual motor: 19.1–23.4 kWh/100 km
- Performance: 20.6–23.4 kWh/100 km
Design and materials updates
A new exterior color called Storm replaces Thunder. Cabin updates include Bio-attributed MicroTech in Charcoal with repurposed aluminum decor.
Pricing, options, and US dollar equivalents
UK base prices
| Trim | Price (GBP) | Approx USD |
|---|---|---|
| Rear motor | £69,990 | $87,500 |
| Dual motor | £77,990 | $97,500 |
| Performance | £91,990 | $115,000 |
Pack pricing (UK)
| Pack / Option | GBP | Approx USD | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime pack | £6,500 | $8,125 | Bundles Pilot, Plus, Climate, privacy glass |
| Pilot pack | £2,300 | $2,875 | Pilot Assist, Lane change, 360° camera |
| Plus pack | £4,600 | $5,750 | Bowers & Wilkins, HUD, infrared screen |
| Climate pack | £700 | $875 | Heated rear seats, wheel, wipers |
| Nappa upgrade | £3,900 | $4,875 | Nappa leather, massage, ash decor |
| Bowers & Wilkins audio | £3,400 | $4,250 | Premium system with headrest speakers |
| 1.3 MP HD LED headlights | £1,600 | $2,000 | Advanced headlights |
| Privacy glass | £400 | $500 | Rear privacy glass |
| Electric tow bar | £1,200 | $1,500 | Deployable hitch |
| 21" Plus wheels | £750 | $940 | 21-inch upgrade |
| 22" Sport wheels | £2,000 | $2,500 | 22-inch upgrade |
Pack strategy: simpler choices, clear value
Prime pack bundles safety and comfort features. Performance includes Prime as standard in the UK. Plus pack adds Bowers & Wilkins audio with road noise cancellation. Climate pack covers winter needs.
How the upgrades translate on the road
- Charging cadence: 22 minutes for 10–80% keeps trip speed high.
- Efficiency: up to 6% gain cuts energy cost per mile.
- Performance: Rear motor balances cost; Dual motor adds traction; Performance trim reaches 500 kW.
- Handling: rear bias and anti-roll bar updates improve turn-in feel.
- Computing power: 254 TOPS boosts safety and energy control.
Which Polestar 3 fits which buyer
- Long distance driver: Rear motor with WLTP range and lower price.
- Balanced choice: Dual motor adds power and 350 kW DC charging.
- Quickest version: Performance trim with 500 kW and sub-4s acceleration.
Competitive angles to watch
The 800 Volt system places Polestar 3 among the fastest-charging EVs. Orin hardware provides future software headroom. The new rear motor shows deeper vertical integration.
What happens next
UK order books are open now. Other markets will publish 2026 pricing later. Orin retrofit starts in 2026.
Key takeaways for shoppers
- 800 Volt platform enables 350 kW charging in 22 minutes.
- Performance trim delivers 500 kW with sharper rear bias.
- Efficiency improves by up to 6% on WLTP.
- NVIDIA Orin offers 254 TOPS and free retrofit in 2026.
- UK pricing starts at $87,500; timing varies by region.
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