Polestar has taken the wraps off the facelifted Polestar 2, hiding important upgrades under the mildly redesigned exterior. The highlights of the updated 2024 Polestar 2 include new electric motors, a switch to rear-wheel drive for the single-motor models, and a new battery pack. The latter translates to 635 km of WLTP-estimated range for the EU-spec single-motor long-range trim, or up to 483 km of EPA-estimated range for the US-spec equivalent. Starting with the exterior, changes are focused on the body-colored grille, which is now called “SmartZone” and debuted in the Polestar 3 integrating most of the ADAS sensors. The rest of the bodywork is carried over, and there are fresh designs for the alloy wheels. The company doesn’t mention any interior upgrades, but all trims get more ADAS features and wireless phone charging as standard.
DC fast charging and lowers carbon
emissions by 1.1 tons per car compared to the outgoing model. The WLTP range
figures have been increased to 635 km for the single-motor model and
up to 592 km or the dual-motor version with the same battery pack.
European buyers also get the option of a standard-range single-motor Polestar 2
with a smaller 69 kWh battery from LG Chem allowing up to 518 km of
WLTP range. In the US, the new 82 kWh battery pack is exclusively available in
combination with the single motor layout, offering a range of 482
km according to EPA estimates, representing an increase of 48 km compared to the previous model. The more powerful dual motor long-range
configuration retains the old 78 kWh battery but gets up to 435 km of EPA-estimated range which is 34 km higher than before thanks to
the revised electric powertrain.
Another highlight of the facelifted model
is the new electric motors. The entry-level trims are now RWD (instead of FWD)
with a new permanent magnet motor and silicon carbide inverter producing 295 hp and 490 Nm of torque. This represents a
significant increase of 67 hp and 160 Nm of torque
compared to the outgoing FWD model. As a result, the 0-100 km/h sprint is now completed in 6.2 seconds, which is 1.2 seconds quicker than
before. Likewise, the dual-motor AWD variants benefit from a rear-biased setup,
combining the same rear-mounted motor with a new asynchronous motor at the
front that completely disengages when not needed. The combined output is 416 hp and 740 Nm of torque allowing a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.5 seconds. This is 13 hp and 80 Nm more than the outgoing Polestar 2 AWD.
For those who want more power, there is
the optional Performance Pack, which raises the combined output up to 469 hp, just like the limited-production BST Edition, and improves
the 0-100 km/h acceleration time to 4.2 seconds. Polestar says that
the power boost can also be purchased as an over-the-air software upgrade on
the long-range dual-motor trims. Besides the extra oomph, the Performance Pack
adds Brembo brakes, unique 20-inch forged alloy wheels and a set of Öhlins Dual
Flow Valve dampers.
The company suggests that the model offers
a refined ride without going into specifics about any chassis upgrades. Joakim
Rydholm, Head of Chassis Development at Polestar said that the facelifted
Polestar 2 is an “even more playful and agile car, retaining its compactness
and complete sense of control, while at the same time becoming more mature with
added comfort”. The 2024 Polestar 2 is already available in European markets,
with the first deliveries expected in the third quarter of 2023. Pricing starts
from € 50,190 (US$ 54,540) for the standard-range RWD model, going up to € 64,690
(US$ 70,296) for the flagship long-range AWD with the Performance Pack. Other
markets including the UK, the US, and Australia will follow in the near future.
Mind you, the outgoing Polestar 2 has sold more than 100,000 units in 27
markets since its introduction in 2019.
