Polestar is presently dealing with challenges in promoting its electrical automobiles on a world scale. Whereas the Polestar 2 initially loved sturdy gross sales and garnered a devoted fan base in Australia, rising competitors has led to a decline in its market share and general relevance.
Throughout a current go to to the Brisbane showroom, we had the chance to get acquainted with the Polestar 4 and discover how the brand new fashions have developed.
Drive.com means that the Polestar 2 is more likely to proceed fighting gross sales by way of 2025, having recorded gross sales of simply 2,463 items in 2023. Apparently, it beforehand outperformed Tesla in sure months of 2022, though the general gross sales figures for electrical automobiles had been low at the moment.
Shifting our focus again to the Polestar 4, we frolicked contained in the automobile earlier than participating with a gross sales consultant to study extra about buyer curiosity and specs. Having beforehand examined the Polestar 2, we observed a major enchancment with the Polestar 4 regardless of restricted test-driving alternatives because of close by roadworks. Sadly, the employees on the showroom appeared much less educated concerning the automobile than anticipated. The developments in expertise and efficiency within the Polestar 4 seem promising, main us to hope that it’d revitalize Polestar’s fortunes.
In keeping with the gross sales rep, the Polestar 4 (usually abbreviated as PS 4, and to not be confused with the PlayStation 4) is akin to the Tesla Mannequin Y and the BMW iX. We inspected the Lengthy Vary model, boasting a variety of 600 km and a 0–100 km/h acceleration time of seven.1 seconds, priced round AU$84,000 (roughly US$52,000). As compared, the Polestar 4 Efficiency variant options twin motors, a 550 km vary, and accelerates to 100 km/h in simply 3.8 seconds – with a retail value of AU$94,000 (US$58,500). The Lengthy Vary mannequin comes with a metal roof, whereas the twin motor variant includes a glass roof that may be electronically frosted to scale back glare, out there for a further AU$2,700.
The automobile is supplied with a 100 kWh, 400V lithium-ion battery using nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) expertise. Every Polestar 4 can also be supplied with a “granny charger” for straightforward dwelling charging.
The gross sales consultant highlighted that the Polestar 4 has been well-tuned for Australian driving situations, emphasizing its grip on the street. Many purchasers reportedly evaluate it in opposition to automobiles from neighboring BMW dealerships and have commented on the automobile’s “particular, unique, Swedish aptitude.”
In 2024, Polestar reported gross sales of 1,460 items for the Polestar 2, 71 for the Polestar 3, and 183 items for the Polestar 4, which has been out there in Australia for simply three months. There was a major variety of trade-ins for the Polestar, together with prospects shifting from the Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency to the Polestar 4’s twin motor model.
Majella, who skilled the automobile firsthand, was impressed by its design and luxurious options, significantly the automated steering wheel and seat changes that help when getting into and exiting the automobile. The Polestar 4 contains Android Auto and receives over-the-air software program updates. Nevertheless, it doesn’t presently supply a crimson colour choice. Polestar automobiles require servicing each two years or after 30,000 km, with 5 years of free servicing included within the buy.
Owned by Geely, Polestar shares its house with Volvo Automobiles, permitting each manufacturers to keep up independence whereas growing their very own distinctive merchandise. Geely is predicted to launch its personal branded automobiles in Australia this 12 months, elevating questions on how competitors will evolve.
The client base for Polestar is various, with roughly half arriving with prior analysis. For others, many questions on the automobiles result in an elevated curiosity past simply early tech adopters.
A current video evaluation by Jack Scarlet from Absolutely Charged could present extra insights, emphasizing the low carbon footprint of the Polestar 4, even decrease than that of a Kia Picanto.
Whereas the effectiveness of sure security options has drawn some light-hearted critiques—just like the automobile deciphering a yawn as a security threat—our gross sales consultant reported thorough coaching and a real ardour for the Polestar model, describing it as a automobile that embodies enjoyable and pleasure.
General, each of us discovered the Polestar 4 spectacular, with interesting technological options and a definite design that stands out within the EV market.
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