Polestar has announced the start of production of its latest model, the Polestar 4. The electric SUV coupé is the first vehicle to be built at the new Polestar Production Centre in Busan, South Korea. It is expected to reach customers in selected markets before the end of 2023.
The Polestar 4 is a new breed of electric SUV coupé that combines the aerodynamics of a coupé, the space of an SUV, and the technology for the electric age. It features a sleek, sporty design, a spacious and luxurious interior, a powerful and efficient powertrain, and a range of advanced features and services powered by Google.
Design: A Coupé Profile with No Rear Window
The Polestar 4 is designed to stand out from the crowd of conventional SUVs with a faster roofline and a distinctive rear end. Unlike other SUV coupés, the Polestar 4 has no rear window, creating a roomy, modern, and cocooned environment for rear passengers. Instead, it uses a digital rear-vision mirror that displays a high-resolution image from a rear-facing camera. The camera is mounted on the roof spoiler and has a wide-angle lens that provides a clear, unobstructed view of the traffic behind.
The absence of a rear window also allows for a stretched panoramic roof that creates a light, airy, and spacious interior experienced from the comfort of every seat. The roof is made of laminated glass that blocks 99.5% of UV light and has an electrochromic function that can adjust the tint level according to the occupants' preference.
The exterior design of the Polestar 4 is influenced by the Polestar design language, which is characterized by clean, simple, and elegant lines. The low, sporty front, the rear aero blades, and a completely flat floor work together to optimize range and efficiency. The Polestar 4 also features the signature Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, the Polestar logo projection on the side mirrors, and the Polestar emblem on the tailgate.
The Polestar 4 is available in six exterior colors: Snow, Midnight, Magnesium, Moon, Void, and Slate. Customers can also choose between 20-inch and 22-inch wheels and opt for a color-matched lower cladding that emphasizes the unique exterior features.
Interior: A New Comfort Zone with Google Built-in
The interior of the Polestar 4 is designed to offer a new level of comfort, convenience, and connectivity for the driver and the passengers. The cabin is made of high-quality materials, such as leather, wood, metal, and flax fibers, that create a harmonious and luxurious atmosphere. The flax fibers are sourced from Bcomp, a Swiss company that specializes in natural fiber composites and are used to replace plastic in some interior panels. The leather is animal welfare secured and comes from Bridge of Weir, a Scottish company that uses renewable energy and recycles water in its production process.
The Polestar 4 is equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen that runs on Android Automotive OS with Google built-in. This means that the Polestar 4 instantly becomes part of the driver’s digital ecosystem, with access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Home integration. The Google Assistant can be activated by voice, touch, or steering wheel controls and can help with tasks such as adjusting the climate, playing music, sending messages, and more. The Google Maps can provide real-time traffic information, charging station locations, and range optimization. The Google Play can offer a wide range of apps and games that are optimized for the car. The Google Home integration can allow the driver to control smart home devices, such as lights, thermostats, and security cameras, from the car.
The Polestar 4 also features a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.7-inch head-up display that projects key information on the windshield. The head-up display can show speed, navigation, driver assistance, phone notifications, and augmented reality elements, such as lane guidance and road signs. The Polestar 4 also has a 9.0-inch display on the steering wheel, which adjusts and telescopes with the column and can show different information depending on the driving mode.
The Polestar 4 offers a high level of comfort and customization for the occupants, with multi-angle reclining seats in the rear and the option of ventilated massage seats in the front. The seats are available in four colors: Charcoal, Slate, Barley, and Amber. The Polestar 4 also has a solar system-inspired ambient light line that orbits around all the occupants, illuminating the thoughtfully matched color and material combinations. The ambient light can be adjusted in brightness and color and can also sync with the music.
The Polestar 4 has a generous cargo space of 21.7 cubic feet, which can be expanded to 50.8 cubic feet by folding the rear seats. The Polestar 4 also has a front trunk, or frunk, that can store up to 2.9 cubic feet of items. The Polestar 4 also comes with a range of accessories, such as roof rails, roof boxes, bike racks, ski racks, and tow bars, that can enhance the versatility and functionality of the vehicle.
Powertrain: A Powerful and Efficient Electric Drive
The Polestar 4 is powered by a 102 kWh battery pack that can provide a range of up to 300 miles on a single charge. The battery pack is liquid-cooled and has an advanced thermal management system that can optimize the performance and longevity of the battery. The battery pack can also support bi-directional charging, which means that the Polestar 4 can not only receive power from the grid, but also supply power to other devices, such as home appliances, electric tools, or other vehicles.
The Polestar 4 is available in two powertrain options: a single-motor rear-wheel drive and a dual-motor all-wheel drive. The single-motor option produces 272 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the dual-motor option produces 544 horsepower and 506 lb-ft of torque. The dual motor option can also accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.8 seconds, making it the fastest Polestar model to date.
The Polestar 4 also has a regenerative braking system that can recover kinetic energy and convert it into electricity, extending the range and reducing the brake wear. The regenerative braking system can be adjusted by the driver from a coasting mode that mimics a conventional car to a one-pedal mode that allows the driver to control the speed and brake with the accelerator pedal.
The Polestar 4 can be charged at home or at public charging stations using either an AC or a DC charger. The Polestar 4 can support up to 11 kW of AC charging, which can fully charge the battery in about 10 hours. The Polestar 4 can also support up to 150 kW of DC fast charging, which can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
The Polestar 4 also comes with a range of services and features that can make charging easier and more convenient for customers. For example, the Polestar 4 can automatically pre-condition the battery before charging, to ensure the optimal temperature and charging speed. The Polestar 4 can also use Google Maps to find the nearest and most suitable charging stations and calculate the best route and charging plan for the journey. The Polestar 4 can also use the Polestar app or the digital key to access the charging stations and pay for the charging with the Polestar account.
Features: A Range of Advanced and Innovative Solutions
The Polestar 4 is equipped with a range of advanced and innovative features and solutions that can enhance the safety, convenience, and enjoyment of the driving experience. Some of these features and solutions include:
- Polestar OTA Updates: The Polestar 4 can receive over-the-air (OTA) updates that can improve and update the software and firmware of the vehicle, without the need to visit a service center. The Polestar OTA updates can also provide new features and functions, such as new apps, games, and services, that can enhance the user experience and satisfaction. The Polestar OTA updates can be downloaded and installed automatically, or manually by the user, depending on the preference and availability.
- Polestar Harman Kardon Premium Sound: The Polestar 4 has a premium sound system that delivers a rich and immersive sound quality for the occupants. The sound system is developed by Harman Kardon, a leading audio brand that specializes in high-fidelity sound products. The sound system consists of 15 speakers, including a subwoofer, that are strategically placed around the cabin to create a balanced and dynamic sound stage. The sound system also has a Dirac Unison technology that can optimize the sound performance and tuning according to the vehicle’s speed, road noise, and ambient conditions. The sound system can also be customized by the user, with different sound modes, such as Studio, Stage, and Go, that can suit different moods and preferences.
- Polestar Pixel LED Headlights: The Polestar 4 has pixel LED headlights that can provide superior and adaptive illumination for the road ahead. The pixel LED headlights consist of 84 individually controlled LED pixels per headlight, that can adjust the light pattern and intensity according to the driving situation and environment. The pixel LED headlights can also communicate with the Polestar pilot assist and the Google Maps, to provide cornering lights, high beam assist, and predictive lighting. The pixel LED headlights can also detect and avoid dazzling other road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and oncoming vehicles, by dimming or switching off the relevant LED pixels.
