As expected, Polestar, a joint venture between Volvo and Geely, officially presented its first electric SUV on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. The Polestar 3, which the automaker describes as an “SUV for the electric age” in its announcement, succeeds the Polestar 1 gran Turismo coupe and the Polestar 2 electric sedan.
Information on the technical details of the upcoming e-SUV had already become known in the past few weeks. The price that is called for the Polestar 3 in Germany is new. This amounts to $84,000 for the long-range dual-motor model.
Polestar has also specified the timetable for the delivery of the first Polestar 3 vehicles. Production for the first launch markets at the Chinese Volvo Cars plant is scheduled to begin in mid-2023. The first deliveries are expected for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Configure and pre-order Polestar 3
In addition to China and North America, Polestar also counts Europe among the first so-called launch markets. Interested parties can configure and pre-order their favorite Polestar 3 on this website.
A performance package can be added to the long-range dual-motor version, which increases the output from 360 kW (489 hp) to 380 kW (517 hp) and the torque from 840 to 910 Newton meters. Included are a software upgrade, a special chassis, and forged 22-inch rims with four multi-spokes.
Performance package reduces the range
However, the maximum range drops from 610 to 560 kilometers. Other additional extras include a fully electric trailer hitch, large LED headlights, complete winter wheels or Nappa leather, and ventilated massage seats. The price quickly jumps into the six-digit range.
Contrary to what was initially reported, all Polestar 3 have an electric all-wheel drive with one motor per axle. The 111-kilowatt-hour battery provides a range of up to 610 kilometers according to WLTP. However, this is still a provisional value. The final range should not be known until 2023.
Smart zone with front camera and sensors
Instead of the “radiator grille” known from Polestar, the new e-SUV has been given a so-called smart zone, in which a front camera and sensors are installed in addition to a heated radar module. In total, the Polestar 3 has five radar modules, five external cameras, and twelve external ultrasonic sensors, as electrive.net writes.
They are also used in the optionally available pilot package with lidar. There is also an Nvidia control unit, three cameras, four ultrasonic sensors, and a cleaning function to keep the front and rear cameras clean.
Lidar system: preparation for autonomous driving
The lidar system is designed to prepare the Polestar 3 for autonomous driving. Polestar states that this will initially improve comfort, collision avoidance, and warning functions. However, the system can only be ordered from the second quarter of 2023.
Inside there is an open center console and a 14.5-inch touchscreen that controls the infotainment. A high-resolution cockpit display is also available to drivers. Android Automotive OS is used as the operating system.
