There’s a way of chaos about Polestar.
In its brief life the Scandinavian electrical automobile specialist owned by Chinese language large Geely has suffered via new mannequin launch delays, fallen in need of gross sales targets, tanked on the inventory market, misplaced enormous quantities of cash and is now going via a serious overhaul of its world administration (that final upheaval undoubtedly pushed by points one, two, three and 4).
It’s sufficient to have numerous analysts and specialists predicting it will likely be folded again into its former mother or father Volvo and even wither away.
After which alongside comes the Polestar 3 and also you realise what a disgrace it could be if Polestar did disappear. Our first drive on Australian roads signifies it’s that good.
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2024 Polestar 3 value and tools
After all, the very last thing the world wants proper now could be one more $130,000-plus massive electrical SUV. We have already got the BMW iX brick, Mercedes-Benz EQE and EQS blobs, the ageing Audi Q8 e-tron and forgettable Lexus RZ450e vying for the few prospects truly ready to spend that kind of cash on these types of vehicles.
However the Polestar 3 tries to be totally different and higher and largely succeeds.
Its exterior fashion deliberately sacrifices some functionally for a svelte low-roof type that appeals at a look and impresses with its element. But it’s so large and broad and its wheelbase so lengthy there’s no scarcity of inside area.
In reality, there may be room for a 3rd row of seats, however that family-friendly characteristic was preserved for the Volvo EX90, which was developed on the identical mechanical and digital platform because the Polestar 3.
The inside can be suffused in high-quality and often recycled or sustainable supplies, overlaid by a beneficiant quantity of luxurious, know-how and security tools.
Keep in mind the 2 twin motor ‘Launch Version’ fashions that debut the Polestar 3 in Australia the truth is have extra customary tools than might be supplied in 2025. There are literally thousands of {dollars} of drugs happening to the choices listing subsequent 12 months together with a relatively loud and spectacular Bowers & Wilkins 25-speaker stereo.
Thoughts you, in the event you’re buying on this area, an additional $10,000-$15,000 spend perhaps doesn’t fear you.
2024 Polestar 3: What we expect
For all the benefits they provide, EVs battle to match the linked driving expertise of an inner combustion automobile.
The large EVs, with their substantial weight and digitised drivelines are usually finest at level and shoot. The extraordinary acceleration in a straight-line is the expertise that stands out.
Effectively, at an astonishing 2.6 tonnes, the Polestar 3 definitely fills the temporary in terms of weight and with the capability to succeed in 100km/h from relaxation in 5 seconds or much less courtesy of the immense thrust of its twin motors it’s definitely fast.
However with its large 111kWh battery pack sitting low between the axles, with adaptive air suspension engaged on each ends of the automotive and with a brand new BorgWarner dual-clutch rear differential apportioning drive throughout the rear wheels, the Polestar 3 is extra three-dimensional than any of its rivals.
It kinda creeps up on you. Sooner or later the realisation strikes you’re whisking alongside a winding seaside street at a formidable fee and having fun with it. The automotive is in sync with the street and you’re in sync with the automotive. Certain, it factors and shoots, however it additionally grips and steers with a stage of connection that’s surprisingly sudden.
I imply, this factor has Volvo roots … someplace.
That’s one thing that turns into extra obvious when cruising. It’s well-rounded sufficient to counsel it will likely be totally useable within the city crush or on the varsity run.
So what’s to not like? Effectively, predictably, being so heavy this factor sucks a lot of juice. We had been averaging 26kWh/100km throughout our open street testing with highs steepling over 30kWh/100km.
For Polestar, a model constructed on sustainability and environmental friendliness, this can be a little bit of a stick in spokes.
Extra prosaically it additionally means the vary claims are optimistic. However the battery is so large it’s best to nonetheless be getting 400km-plus on the open street and perhaps 500km on the town.
Then there’s the quantity of give attention to conducting foundation capabilities via the touchscreen. Like, why do we have now to regulate exterior mirrors in such a multi-step course of? Annoying!
Nevertheless, for probably the most half it should be mentioned Polestar has tried and succeeded to carry a peaceful and orderly course of to its Android-based touchscreen interactions. Doesn’t imply I’ve to love it.
2024 Polestar 3: Verdict
The breadth and depth of the Polestar 3’s versatile functionality is what makes it stand out from luxurious EV rivals.
If I had the great fortune – and substantial fortune – to decide on one of many many luxurious electrical SUVs to dwell with, this could be it. It’s the choose proper now.
This isn’t the primary EV to be launched that appears like the very best and brightest labored on its creation and growth, however it’s deeply spectacular they got here up with a such a automobile when there may be a lot turbulence and uncertainty throughout the enterprise.
It’s an ideal argument for why Polestar ought to survive its challenges and hopefully thrive.
SCORE: 4.0/5
2024 Polestar 3 Lengthy Vary Twin Motor Launch Version specificationsPrice: $132,900 (plus on-road prices)Fundamentals: EV, 5 seats, 5 doorways, massive SUV, AWDRange: 628km (WLTP)Battery capability: 111kWh (107kWh usableBattery guarantee: 8 yearsEnergy consumption: 19.8-21.8kWh/100km (WLTP)Motors: 1 entrance and 1 rear everlasting magnet synchronous, 360kW/840Nm.AC charging: 11kW, Sort 2 plugDC charging: 250kW, CCS combo plug0-100km/h: 5.0 seconds
2024 Polestar 3 Lengthy Vary Twin Motor with Efficiency Pack Launch Version specificationsPrice: $141,900 (plus on-road prices)Fundamentals: EV, 5 seats, 5 doorways, massive SUV, AWDRange: 561km (WLTP)Battery capability: 111kWh (107kWh usable)Battery guarantee: 8 yearsEnergy consumption: 22.1-23.0Wh/100km (WLTP)Motors: 1 entrance and 1 rear everlasting magnet synchronous, 380kW/910Nm.AC charging: 11kW, Sort 2 plugDC charging: 250kW, CCS combo plug0-100km/h: 5.0 seconds