Polestar‘s first foray into the red-hot electric SUV segment has arrived. The Swedish EV maker is set to unleash the sleek, tech-stuffed Polestar 3 to take on benchmark luxury EVs like Tesla‘s popular Model Y.
I‘ve been eager to dig into the Polestar 3‘s details since it was first teased over a year ago. Now with production imminent this fall and launch coming next year, more juicy specs are coming into view. Read on for an electric vehicle enthusiast and designer’s take on Polestar’s newest creation.
Polestar 3 Overview: Model Positioning and Launch Timeline
Before jumping into nitty-gritty details, let’s ground ourselves on how this fresh SUV fits into Polestar’s lineup and when you can expect to get behind its racing-inspired steering wheel:
Model Positioning
Polestar has firmly anchored itself as a technology-forward electric performance brand. But with only two existing models —an enthusiast-focused PHEV coupe and a Tesla Model 3 fighting sedan—their catalog has gaps, especially in the lucrative SUV arena.
Enter the Polestar 3 midsize luxury electric SUV, set to launch as the automaker’s marquee volume model. It’s targeting an optimal balance of range, performance and luxury while pioneering advanced driver assistance features that are a preamble to autonomous driving functions.
The 3 slots cleanly into Polestar’s portfolio between the smaller Polestar 2 fastback and the upcoming coupe-like Polestar 4 SUV:
Production and Delivery Timeline
This aptly named Polestar 3 will start production this October at the all-new Polestar Production Centre in Ridgeville, South Carolina.
The greatly expanded factory, a joint venture with parent company Volvo Cars, gives Polestar its first US manufacturing capacity. This massive greenfield site will eventually scale up to produce EVs for both brands topping 150,000 units annually.
Early Polestar 3 production will serve European and Chinese launch markets first with deliveries slated shortly into 2023. I expect the factory to start conservatively at under 30 units per day, evaluating stability before ramping further through 2023 to meet global demand.
As for US timing, expect Polestar 3 deliveries mid-2023 once production scales and the new model undergoes EPA range certification testing unique to the States. Reservation books should open online in early 2023 for North American customers once order volume visibility improves.
Essentially Americans get the Polestar 3 as soon as the new South Carolina line can smoothly accelerate to full speed! Patience is virtuous as this flexibility will allow custom configurations.
Technical Specs and Details
Now to the good stuff! Digging into juicy technical details is my favorite aspect of new vehicle launches. Here’s an insider’s breakdown of the key Polestar 3 hardware, specs and technologies we know confirmed or can reasonably anticipate:
Powertrain and Performance
| Spec | Long Range Estimate | Performance Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Power Output | ~400 HP | ~515 HP |
| Torque | 475 lb-ft | 502 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | <5 seconds | <4.5 seconds |
| Drivetrain | Dual Motor AWD | Dual Motor AWD |
| Wheels | 21" alloy wheels | 22" alloy wheels |
Polestar is clearly benchmarking against Tesla‘s Model Y variant approach here, with Long Range and Performance models tuned for either max battery range or speed. I expect supercar-like thrust even from the base version with its muscular all-wheel-drive electric powertrain.
Battery, Range and Charging
| Spec | Long Range Estimate | Performance Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | ≈107 kWh | ≈107 kWh |
| Range (EPA est.) | 371 miles* | 329 miles* |
| Charging Speed | 270 kW max | 270 kW max |
| Charge Time 0-80% | <25 minutes | <25 minutes |
*Polestar‘s estimated 372 mile maximum range target is extremely impressive but unlikely to match EPA test cycles. Still over 350 miles is class leading if achieved!
A 100 kWh-plus battery pack is essential to support 300+ mile ranges. Expect peak DC fast charging around 270 kW allowing under 25 minute 0-80% fill ups.
Exterior Dimensions and Interior Space
| Dimension | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 118 inches |
| Length | 193 inches |
| Width | 79 inches |
| Height | 64 inches |
| Cargo Volume (behind rear seats) | 21 cubic ft (est) |
| Cargo Volume (rear seats folded) | 50 cubic ft (est) |
The long wheelbase combined with a flat battery pack in the floor allows excellent interior volume. Five passengers fit comfortably and there‘s decent cargo space even with seats up. Folded down expands from what I‘d consider a large trunk to a modest SUV hold.
Core Interior Features
- 12.7 inch driver instrumentation display
- 14.5 inch main center touchscreen display
- Google built-in OS with Android Automotive
- Digital Assistant voice controls
- Panoramic glass roof
- Heated front & rear seats
- 4-zone climate control
- PM2.5 air filtration
Google‘s native services put your smartphone experience right into the human-machine interface (HMI). Expect a polished and responsive infotainment experience.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
But what truly sparks my inner technophile is the Polestar 3‘s cutting-edge ADAS capabilities, facilitated by powerful computing hardware:
- NVIDIA Xavier system-on-a-chip
- NVIDIA Orin central computer
- 3 NVIDIA BlueField data processing units
Thisinna advanced sensor set enables considerable automation:
- 33 MP front camera
- 4 surround view cameras
- 4 radar modules
- Ultrasonics
- High-precision lidar
The vehicles I test daily at work still struggle with consistent lane centering. By contrast, Polestar‘s redundant detection coverage combined with heavy duty processing power should advance substantially closer to self-driving abilities.
I foresee Polestar pioneers an autonomous highway pilot-style feature allowing hands-free driving under certain controlled scenarios. While perhaps limited initially to traffic jam assist due to legislation, regular over-the-air software updates will likely expand capabilities drastically in the months following launch.
Truly exciting times in the evolution of electric and autonomous vehicles!
The Polestar 3‘s extensive ADAS hardware suite supports more robust safety functionality as well including collision avoidance, driver monitoring and blind spot warning systems to help avoid accidents before they occur.
Analysis and Commentary
The Polestar 3 impresses on paper with its fusion of extended range, high performance and advanced computing capabilities paired to an elegant design. This electric luxury SUV seems well positioned as an aspirational yet approachable EV flagship for the brand.
Standout Attributes:
- Class-leading range estimates, targeting over 372 miles
- Powerful yet efficient electric AWD powertrain
- Cutting-edge ADAS and automation features enable advanced self-driving functionality
I‘m bullish on prospects especially as Polestar‘s first vehicle manufactured in the United States. Sitting on early production from their brand new South Carolina plant should give Polestar priority access to strong US EV demand relative to imports fighting supply chain woes and inflationary pressures.
Local assembly also aids customization for US buyers who frequently option up pricey luxury vehicles. Configuring bonuses like panoramic glass roofs, larger wheels, performance packs and rich interior materials adds to profit margins.
Potential Pitfalls
- Ambitious range targets risk disappointment if EPA testing reduces real-world mileage substantially below claims. But even 325 miles range would be strong.
- Limited brand recognition versus established luxury marques. Polestar must convince buyers its tech and performance chops justify premium pricing on par with benchmark EVs.
- Late North American launch timing if production ramp faces setbacks. Mid-2023 trails rivals launching new EVs in 2022.
With models like Volvo, Tesla and Jaguar‘s I-Pace firmly entrenched in the midsize luxury EV space, Polestar certainly has its work cut out. But as a scrappy industry disrupter I believe they have the ingenuity and forward-thinking mentality to carve a niche.
The Polestar 3 seems to check every box on my tech-savvy shopping list from range to automation. I could even justify the $110k fully-loaded price for the high-zoot Performance model! What more could a data-obsessed EV enthusiast ask for?
2023 is shaping up as a standout year for electric SUV launches and I predict the aptly named Polestar 3 will stand proudly among them as a uniquely European perspective on modern electric luxury.
