THE GROWTH OF POLESTAR

Born on the motorsport scene, Polestar is brand with performance in its DNA. In less than a decade, it has gone from prototype project concepts to a full standalone production brand, focusing on electric models.

The 2009 Volvo C30 Polestar Performance concept prototype—boasting a sweet 450bhp and 510Nm of torque—was the first concept outside of motorsport, where the two Swedish companies had been collaborating since 1996.

Starting life as a tuning firm, Polestar was fully acquired in summer 2015 by Volvo. At the time, Volvo was the largest manufacturer of plug-in hybrids in Europe. In addition to badging its special edition high-performance models with the Polestar polish, the Swedish brand, renowned for its dedication to safety, also wanted to garner Polestar’s tuning prowess for development of its twin-engine electrification technology. 

In 2016, the lighter, turbocharged V60 Polestar Drive-E featured a four-cylinder 2-litre engine. A reduction from the six-cylinder, 3-litre engine of 2013, the Volvo V60 Polestar Drive-E gained more horsepower and carried less weight, naturally harnessing the merits of the instant acceleration, now famed in electric driving circles.

By 2017, it was clear that the Polestar team was onto something, for which a entirely new brand creation, was the only answer. Traditional car brands, transitioning to a brave new world of mobility service provision, have been keen to distance themselves from older, outdated technologies and ensure their portfolios are sufficiently diversified to withstand the significant shift in vehicle design and manufacturing that could leave them otherwise extinct. 

Benefitting from the global objective of full electrification, Polestar had the investment and support to release the Polestar 1, a four-cylinder, 2-litre hybrid saloon, pushing 591 bhp. This 2-door sports sedan has received acclaim and rivals the Porsche Taycan, Mercedes AMG GT63 and Bentley Continental GT. 

The reception has been so positive, the Polestar 2 and 3 are planned. The 2, announced in 2019, is a fully electric mid-sized hatchback and the 3 AKA Polestart Precept is said to be a larger SUV version of the battery-electric model. 

It’s a long way to come from the humble beginnings of a tuning workshop, but sales, particularly in China where parent company to both Polestar and Volvo, Geely, is based, suggest Polestar’s future looks very very bright.

We are looking forward to the day that we can announce the Polestar 3 Hire addition to the EV HIRE fleet. Stay tuned...