A few days ago fresh details about the all-new Volvo Polestar 3 was revealed to the world. And the first collective thought UK motoring journalists had was, “I bet that it rides like it’s on rails.” Back in the real world, the Volvo Polestar 3 doesn’t ride like it’s on rails at all because it rides on an all-new generation EV platform that will also be shared with the next-gen Volvo XC90. The Volvo Polestar 3 will feature a Dual Motor AWD, rear wheel biased setup. The Dual Motors output 483 bhp (489 PS) and 840 Nm (620 lb-ft), the 0-62mph yields 5 seconds of elapsed time. Volvo will tempt customers to boost the power output with a performance package. This will return 510 bhp (517 PS) and 900 Nm (671 lb-ft). As such the 0-60 mph time is reduced to 4.7 seconds. But Volvo asked themselves the question, is such a marginal performance boost worth the extra £6K cost?
So Volvo decided to add an even more powerful quad-motor performance upgrade that will unleash 845 bhp and travel from 0-62mph in 3.0-seconds. Of course, it comes at an additional £8K cost. But for many consumers, electric cars are all about the size of the battery and range. As far as we know the Volvo Polestar 3 is available with only one battery pack, 111 kWh. Volvo claims the Polestar 3 has a WLTP range of 379 miles.
The Polestar 3 utilizes a heat pump as standard, important because it will pre-heat the batteries to the correct operating temperature on cold days of the year. This in turn will improve operating efficiency and range. The battery is capable of accepting charging rates of 250 kW. The battery pack is liquid cooled and sealed in a protective steel and aluminum case.
The interior features a 14.5-inch central inotainment display, mounted horizontally, and a digital 9.5-inch driver’s display. Both are based on Google’s Andriod Auto software using a Volvo-designed digital skin. Volvo’s infotainment hardware will be powered by the NIVIDA/Snapdragon CPU chipset. The interior design is modern elegant simplicity and uses sustainable materials throughout.
The Volvo Polestar 3 will ride on 21-inch tyres, air-sprung suspension and adaptive dampers as standard. Optional 22-inch alloy wheels and re-tuned air springs form part of the Performance Package upgrade which also includes a boost in power by 28bhp. When the Volvo Polestar 3 goes on sale next year, LiDAR-based semi-autonomous driving tech will be added to the options menu.
The Polestar 3 will be made in China with retail sales expected to begin between November-December 2023. The global rollout will first target Chinese, European and American buyers. Prices will start from £80,000