The design of most electric cars to date has been a little underwhelming – the aesthetics of the vehicles rarely doing justice to the advanced technologies hidden beneath. This is certainly not the case with Polestar.

The performance off-shoot from Volvo, Polestar has always heralded design and technology at its core – and both are noticeable from every angle.

First revealed in the flesh at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show in March, the Polestar 2 immediately had necks turning and cameras flashing: it’s a supremely good looking car. Not that you should be surprised: after all, Polestar’s CEO and head of design is Thomas Ingenlath – the design supremo at Volvo.

His vision and leadership is noticeable at every level: not just in the cars’ stunning exteriors and interiors, but also in the stripped-back Polestar exhibition stands, the minimalist branding typography, and even the architecture of Polestar’s Gothenburg HQ and production centre in Chengdu, China.

They say ‘less is more’ – and in the case of Polestar, what’s left is flawless.

DESIGN OF THE TIMES

The Polestar 2 stands out from the crowd thanks to is distinctive design flourishes.

Take the humble gear shifter – here, it is hollowed out, made hexagonal, and illuminated with a Polestar logo in the centre.

And then there are the striking rear lights which stretch the entire width of the car. These 288 LED rear lights shine brighter during intense braking, and automatically adjust for weather conditions. This is form and function working together at their finest.

For car aficionados, there are many of these satisfying details at every turn. The frameless side mirrors, for example – and the panoramic glass roof, with the Polestar projection.

It’s car design which is actually modern enough to reflect the technological prowess beneath…

PURPOSE, PERFORMANCE AND PROGRESSION

This all-electric fastback is the perfect fusion of performance with practicality. There’s room for plenty of passengers and a haul of luggage, but there’s also an all-wheel drive electric powertrain producing 300 kW (408 hp) and 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) of torque. The result is a zero-60mph acceleration time of less than five seconds – not to mention the grin on your face while you’re doing it.

The Polestar 2 also hosts a 78 kWh battery, which should get you from A to a B that’s 310 miles away. The 27-module battery pack is integrated into the floor and contributes to the rigidity of the chassis – a great example of turning a necessity into a benefit. It improves the car’s noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels, reducing road noise by 3.7 dB compared to a traditional chassis.

If you want a sportier edge to your Polestar 2, you can upgrade to the Performance Pack, which improves driving dynamics courtesy of Öhlins dampers, Brembo brakes and 20-inch forged alloys. Polestar’s signature gold seat belts, brake callipers and valve caps are the finishing touches which let your mates know that you’ve got the hot version.

TECH IT UP A LEVEL

The technology isn’t just limited to the drivetrain, either. Polestar 2 is one of the first cars in the world to embed an infotainment system powered by Android, meaning you have the power of Google and all its various apps at your fingertips – specifically, on a 11-inch touch screen display – or indeed at the command of your voice. The second you buy your average car, its tech starts to go out of date. But one of the main benefits of the Android platform is that it’s future-proof: the Polestar's system updates automatically over-the-air so the platform and services connected to it will continue to evolve over time.

As our phones become more integrated into our lives, Polestar has made sure they are weaved into the motoring experience, too. Phone-as-key technology means the Polestar 2 will sense you as you approach the car – no need to worry about losing your key fob any more, as you don't need one. From 10 meters away, the car senses your approach and begins to 'wake up', displaying charge and range info that can be seen from outside. Once you touch the door handle, the Polestar 2 unlocks. Once you’re inside, your phone – via the Polestar Connect app – reminds the Polestar 2 of your preferred seat and mirror settings automatically.

As well as the key, the Polestar ditches the need for a start button. Instead, intelligent sensors in the driver’s seat will know you're ready to go – all you need to do is depress the brake pedal and move the gearshift, and you'll be on your way.

The forward-thinking doesn’t end with the tech, either. Even the interior is vegan friendly made with progressive textiles.

CONCLUSION

What is perhaps most impressive about the Polestar 2 is its incredibly reasonable price tag: a guide price of €39,900. For the first 12 months of production, the launch edition will cost €59,900.

Either way, the Polestar 2 is a game changer.

For more information, see polestar.com