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Polestar 2 EV production starts in China despite COVID-19
While factories in Europe and the US grind to a halt due to COVID-19, Polestar has started production of its Polestar 2 in Luqiao, China. The Volvo brand's first EV is being built on the same production line as the Volvo XC40, as both companies are owned by Chinese automaker Geely. The first vehicles produced will be sold in Europe, with deliveries slated to start in China, then North America after that.
Polestar's latest concept EV is designed for sustainability
Polestar has yet to deliver its first EV, but that isn't stopping it from outlining the vision for its future cars. The automaker has unveiled a concept sedan, the Precept, that showcases both the company's evolving design language and its technological goals. To start, gone is the Volvo-esque grille held over from gas-powered cars -- the front is now devoted to driver assistance and safety features with a camera and two radar sensors. There's also a conspicuous LiDAR pod above the windshield for "increased driving assistance."
The Polestar 1 is a beautiful ode to driving
There's no shortage of new EV brands. If you can fabricate a supercar body and get your hands on a battery pack and motor, you've got yourself a new company. But Polestar is jumping ahead of the rest of the newcomers thanks to its long history with parent company Volvo.
Google's new emulator makes Android Automotive development easier
With both the Polestar 2 and Volvo XC40 set to launch sometime in 2020, there's still sometime before the first slate of Android Automotive cars make their way to consumers. Thankfully, Google is making it easier for developers to create apps for the infotainment system to ensure a smooth experience for early adopters. The company says it's rolling out a new version of the Android Automotive emulator that includes the Google Play Store.
Polestar is opening its first North American EV store
If you want to get a close look at Polestar's cars and check out its relatively novel retail experience, you may need to plan a trip to Canada. Polestar has announced that its first retail partner in the Americas, and thus its first "Polestar Space" in these areas, will be in Montreal. The team still has to pick a location in the city, but you can shop the brand's electrified cars starting in 2020.
Volvo's Polestar engineered XC60 is fast, but still reserved
The Banff area in Canada is spellbinding. The mountains, the lakes, the spires of rock formations jutting towards the heavens don't seem real. But also, no human could create something this beautiful. It's also the best and worst place to drive the Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Polestar midsize SUV.
Google opens Android infotainment system to third-party media apps
Now that Google has a full-fledged car infotainment platform in Android Automotive, it's opening the door to apps built for that platform. As of Google I/O, developers will have the power to create media apps for Android Automotive-equipped cars like the upcoming Polestar 2. It's using the same underlying framework as Android Auto, which should ensure that a favorite music or audiobook app will work properly across different touchscreen sizes and car customizations.
The Polestar 2 is more than just a pretty face
The Polestar 2 was unveiled ahead of the Geneva motor show via a livestream from Sweden. The automaker wanted more time to chat about the electric vehicle than the typical 15 to 20 minutes allotted at auto shows while also sticking to its environmental ethics and not flying journalists from all over the world to an event.
Polestar wants you to buy and unlock your car with your phone
Add Polestar to the ranks of automotive brands that are basing their car experiences around your phone. The company has launched a Polestar Explore app for Android and iOS as part of a larger strategy to handle virtually everything from your phone. You can read about the Polestar 2, configure it, pre-order it and eventually buy or subscribe to it without having to visit a website or (gasp) show up at a retail location. And when your phone can also serve as a key, you're effectively set -- you might not need physical interactions besides tapping on your phone's glass or grabbing your car's door handle.
The stylish Polestar 2 takes on the Model 3 with a 275-mile range
The Polestar 1 is arguably one of the best looking modern cars out there. It's also the first and last hybrid from the electric-performance subsidiary of Volvo. Today at an event in Sweden the automaker unveiled its second car and first pure EV, the Polestar 2.
Polestar will reveal its first all-electric car on February 27th
Polestar was hyping up its first all-electric car even before its first car of any kind was ready, but now it's finally prepared to show its hand. The company has announced that it's revealing the Polestar 2 through a live online event on February 27th at 7AM Eastern. Sorry, that means no in-person looks -- it's ostensibly to "eliminate the environmental impact" of flying people in from all over the planet, which wouldn't jive with a car that's all about eco-friendliness.
The Polestar 2's infotainment system is powered by Google
Volvo's all-electric performance car brand, Polestar, tweeted out a teaser link for Google's new HMI (human machine interface) system which is expected to debut in the automaker's upcoming Polestar 2 later this year.
Volvo surprises with its stylish and quick S60 sedan
When you mention safety and cars, most folks bring up Volvo. For decades, safety wasn't (as the kids say) cool. But in a world with increasing amounts of cars on the road in dense urban areas teaming with motorcycles, bicyclists, pedestrians and fearless raccoons, having a car that aims to protect everyone is now the coolest thing you can have on the road.
Polestar wants to change almost everything about how you own a car
Two older gentlemen walk up the stairs of the Polestar booth at Pebble Beach. "What is this?" one asks the other as they marvel at the design. An employee walks up and explains that the Polestar 1 is the automaker's first car. A hybrid that'll be the last vehicle the company builds with a gas engine. They take photos and continue to chat with the representative. I watch it happen again and again. People unaware of the car and company stopping by to look at a very beautiful car. It's great for Polestar for people to learn about its vehicle at an event, but it's also a problem.
Volvo's all-electric Polestar 2 will go up against the Model 3
Now that Polestar's first car (and its only hybrid car) is out the door, what's it going to do for the purely electric follow-up? Give Tesla's Model 3 a run for the money, apparently. Chief operating officer Jonathan Goodman told Autocar in a recent interview that the Polestar 2 would have the kind of performance and pricing that might have some Model 3 buyers reconsidering their life choices. The upcoming EV would cost between £30,000 to £50,000 (about $39,400 to $65,700) with as much as 400 brake horsepower and a 350-mile range. And that last figure is for the starter model -- you wouldn't have to pay a premium for long-distance driving like you do for its Tesla rival.
Volvo's subscription-only performance hybrid launches today
The almost-everything-included Care by Volvo subscription service is about to debut its most desirable vehicle, as the S60 T8 Polestar Engineered sedan will be available exclusively via the (iOS-only) app starting at noon ET today. The "Polestar" brand is supposed to indicate the extra performance touch applied to Volvo's electric powertrains, similar to the M or AMG brand seen on high-powered BMWs and Mercedes. It will also pop up on versions of the V60 wagon and XC60 SUV next year.
Volvo borrows cachet and power from its Polestar EV brand
The $155,000 Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid with 600 horsepower and a 100-mile driving range isn't coming to market until next year, but its parent Volvo is giving us a taste ahead of that. It just unveiled the "Polestar Engineered" flavor of its upcoming S60 hybrid sports sedan, and will also offer the option on its V60 estate and XC60 SUV vehicles in 2019.
Volvo’s performance EV brand kicks off in Geneva
Volvo is flaunting its Polestar 1 to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. It will go 93 miles on a charge before the turbocharged gas engine kicks in, which will make it the longest range plug-in hybrid on the market. The two electric motors can also join forces with the 2.0 liter turbo engine to provide a much more powerful, much less eco-friendly 600 horsepower.
What to expect from the Geneva Motor Show
The city of Geneva, Switzerland is about to become of the center of the automotive universe. Automakers from all over the world are descending upon the city to unveil their latest vehicles and Engadget will be there to keep you abreast of the breaking news. But first, we wanted to catch you up on what to expect from the show.
Volvo's performance brand launches a 600HP plug-in hybrid
When Volvo declared that its Polestar performance brand would revolve around electric powertrains, it wasn't kidding. Polestar has unveiled its first car, appropriately named the Polestar 1, and it's a plug-in hybrid coupe that musters 600HP while managing a surprisingly large 93 miles of electric-only driving. This is an EV that just happens to have a gas engine under the hood, according to Volvo, and the odds are that you might never use fossil fuels during your daily commute. It also promises to be nimble thanks to a continuously adjusted electronic suspension and an electric rear axle to maximize grip. The 1 sounds like it could be a relatively guilt-free way to drive, then. However, it's almost more important for what it isn't.
