The Polestar 4 hatchback sedan arriving later this year, originates from what is becoming a serious premium-class player in an EV segment dominated by entries from Germany, Japan, South Korea and North America. It will be joining the compact Polestar 2 hatchback and the Polestar 3 utility-style vehicle.
Within the next few years, the automaker, which is based in Sweden, was originated by Volvo, and is owned by Geely of China, and will be adding at least three more EVs to the North American lineup, sequentially named Polestars 5, 6 and 7.
Compared to the Polestar 2, the Polestar 4, which is built by Renault at its plant in South Korea, is about 25 centimetres longer overall and in distance between the front and rear wheels. It also offers significantly more stowage space – including a small area (frunk) beneath the hood than the Polestar 2.
The Polestar 4’s eye-catching design is as stylish as they come. The aerodynamic shape of the front end displays a large air intake, with unique headlights and running lights set within dominant front fenders. In back a wraparound rear taillight bar extends across the liftgate. The front and rear door handles retract flush with the doors until activated. The relatively tall roofline slants gracefully into the hatch but it doesn’t hamper rear-seat headroom.
A panoramic roof is part of the Polestar 4’s bodywork, and for good reason since the car is lacking a rear window. In its place, a digital rearview mirror projects a wide field of vision produced by a high-definition roof-mounted rear camera. According to Polestar the deletion of a rear window has allowed the rear seat to be moved farther back, resulting in increased legroom. Although effective, it could take drivers time to get used to this windowless design.
Other interior elements include a 10.2-inch driver’s display that includes battery range.
Next to it a 15.4-inch touchscreen sits directly above the floor console. It incorporates the latest edition of Google’s Android Automotive operating system.
The vinyl-like materials used for the seat coverings, door panels and other surfaces are made using pine oil instead of crude oil and are bio-friendly (recyclable). The carpeting material is sourced from discarded fishing nets and waste plastics. Even the optional Nappa leather upholstery material is said to be ethically sourced. According to Polestar 85 per cent of the vehicle’s content is recyclable and many of the mechanical components can be reused or remanufactured.
The Polestar 4’s propulsion systems begin with the rear-wheel-drive single Long range motor that produces 272 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. It’s estimated at providing 482 kilometres of range.
Optional are the Long range front and rear dual motors rated at a combined 544 horsepower and 506 pound-feet. Polestar estimates the range at about 434 kilometres.
Both versions are supported by a 94.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack integrated with the Polestar 4’s EV platform.
Zero-to-96-km/h acceleration is estimated at 7.1 seconds for the single motor and 3.8-seconds for the dual motor variant.
Base pricing starts at $64,900 (plus destination charges) for the single motor Polestar 4 with Pilot Pack. It comes with an energy-efficient heat pump heating system, wireless phone charging, power-eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, power liftgate, 360-degree surround-view camera, 20-inch wheels and a full assortment of driver-assist items.
Adding the Plus Pack gets you tri-zone climate control, 12-way power adjustable front seats, power-reclining rear seats, heated steering wheel, head-up driver’s info display, rear entertainment screen, and premium Harmon Kardon sound system.
Optional on the Long range Dual motor Polestar 4 only is the Performance Pack. It encompasses sport suspension tuning performance brake discs with Brembo-brand calipers, performance summer tires and 22-inch wheels.
As the only car lacking a rear window the electric Polestar 4 could be considered a radical exception to basic automotive design parameters. But for the early adopters, this and its performance and content attributes should enhance the EV’s desirability.
