2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed: Polestar 1 production-spec prototype debuts
At the recently concluded 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Volvo showed off an almost production-ready prototype of the Polestar 1 in a hill climb event. This the first offering from the Swedish carmaker's now standalone performance arm, Polestar. A more mainstream Tesa Model 3 rival will follow later.
The Polestar 1 is a plug-in hybrid powered by two electric motors and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged and supercharged petrol. The supercharger adds grunt at the lower reaches of the rev-range, the turbocharger kicking in after 3,500 rpm. The electric motors drive the rear wheels and make 218PS, mated to an integrated starter generator that makes 45PS.
A 34 kWh battery pack is placed in the transmission tunnel provides 240 km range. Combined output from this set-up is a not-inconsequential 600PS and 1000Nm. No performance figures have been revealed but a 0 to 100 kmph time of less than four seconds can be expected.
Carbon-fibre has been used extensively in the construction of the 1, with the roof cross-sections being made from this material. A bonded section of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is placed between the middle floor and the rear structure of the steel underbody to increase rigidity. The doors, bonnet and boot are also made from this CFRP.
This car's design language closely resembles that of more mainstream Volvos but with cues to put forth this car's more focused performance capabilities. The Polestar 1 features aggressively sculpted body panels, a more focused stance and a new honeycomb grille design. The wide low-profile tyres and sloping coupe roofline add to this effect.
The Polestar 1 is being readied for a 2020 launch and only 500 are being made available for sale, to begin with. Prices will start at Rs 1.07 crore before taxes and duties, a sizeable Rs 22 lakh premium over competitors like the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E 63. There is no word as of now of an India launch.
The Polestar 1 is interesting in the way it brings a fresh perspective to the now somewhat formulaic approach that the German carmakers follow towards performances coupes. The unique drivetrain, styling and slightly left-field approach of Volvo should make for a fresh driving experience when this car debuts.
Watch the Polestar 1 go up Goodwood here: