I spotted this car a few days ago in an industrial neighborhood near the general aviation airport in a neighboring town. I immediately recognized the Polestar logo, as other Polestar EV’s are becoming a fairly common sight, but I’d never even heard of this model before. My eyes zoomed in on the “High Modulus CFRP Body” and “Optimized Carbon Fibre Layout” markings on the side. I whipped out my phone to take a picture, then looked it up. Not a full EV like other Polestars, it was built in limited numbers in 2019-22 in Chengdu, China. Indeed, a carbon fiber body, with plug-in hybrid mechanicals from the Volvo XC90: a turbo 4 cylinder plus two electric motors. Over 600 horsepower, a 52 mile electric-only range, and 58 mpg-e in the EPA cycle. 1500 made, with a U.S. retail price of $156000. I may never see another one, so I think this makes it a future CC.
I have read a bit about these, but know almost nothing about them. I can’t get past the name. I know that it is from an astronomy thing, but my mind goes elsewhere. Polecat? Pole barn? Pole dance? And could a Pole Star be a locally famous pole dancer? I have so many questions.
On the car itself, it is interesting to see these modern exotics and where they end up.
J P, you are correct that “it is from an astonomy thing,” but you need to get your mind out of the gutter and direct it heavenward. The Pole Star is the brightest star that appears nearest to either celestial pole at any particular time. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the star that aligns with earth’s axis is Polaris, also called the North Star. It is the star that appears to be stationary irrespective of the rotation of the earth. Since the Pole Star remains stationary in the sky, it has been used for centuries by navigators for navigation.
We know the Pole star as the North star, and there are many examples of companies using North star in their branding. Since Cadillac has Northstar tied up, I guess someone felt Polestar was an acceptable substitute.
Future CC for sure. I’ll come back in about a decade for a full writeup.
These cars are total crap, as are all Volvos now. Sad.
That’s a rather broad brush there Robert. Our daughter beirfly had a new Volvo company car last year and it was quite nice actually, and still made in Sweden. When she decided to buy her own new car she got a RAV-4 though, thinking of the long term costs, smartly.
Great find. I see hints of the Camaro, in its sideview. As the Camaro has a better integrated nose. The Volvo front is too formal, for the sleek design. This example would look better in any colour, but white.
I like the nose, and in real life it had different proportions than the Camaro: airier and less rear heavy. But that’s an interesting comparison … a Volvo pony car. All it needed was the XC90’s old optional V8.
I was thinking a slightly more swept aerodynamic nose, with a lower hood line (left). Though the more upright, Dodge Charger-like nose, does look good.
Personal preference. 🙂
A total dead end, which explains why it’s been discontinued. It was a cobbled-up thing, something with which to create a bit of attention to Polestar, a new brand. Polestar was to become (and is) an EV-only brand, thus the Polestar 1 was seen as something of a face plant, since it is only a hybrid with an IC engine. Not surprisingly, only 1500 were ever made.
They shouldn’t have bothered…
Yeah, as a vehicle for sale and profit, and even for technology and image for what was intended to be a pure EV play (though Polestar started as a performance shop like AMG), I agree it was not a very smart venture and a total dead end. But sitting curbside it was very attractive in a discreet way. And could it be the only performance coupe ever that was based on an SUV-specific powertrain? I don’t think Volvo ever put this setup in a sedan, only the XC90. That alone warrants at least a footnote in automotive history.
China? eww.
A good looking car at least. I don’t now anything about modern Volvo parts/quality but if we are going to have electric forced down our throats, a hybrid is the best way in my view.
Never seen one of these coupes, but there are a lot of Polestar 2 sedans around the Netherlands. With their big wheels they have really goofy proportions that make them look like life sized Micro Machines.
Looks like an update for the Saint’s P1800
That’s no Volvo in my book. Still driving my trusty rwd 900 series.