Coming soon: updated Polestar 2

Suffice to say, the Polestar 2 has done a fantastic job launching Volvo’s premium performance electric brand into the public consciousness, the combination of style and tech scooping it three awards from owners in the 2022 Auto Trader New Car Awards alone. The fact you voted it Best Premium Electric Car, Most Loved Car and New Car of the Year underlines what a hit it has been, but Polestar isn’t resting on its laurels and a range of updates will be making it go faster, further and in greater safety than ever before.
Headlines include a switch from a front- to a rear-mounted set-up in Single Motor versions for both improved performance and handling, more horsepower for all the various configurations and significant improvements in range, especially for versions with the bigger of the two battery options.

“Typically in the car industry, a facelift introduces superficial visual changes that often destroy the original intention of the car’s design theme,” confirms Polestar boss Thomas Ingenlath in notably self-confident style. “We rather went below the surface and upgraded substantial tech and mechanical components of the electric drivetrain. This is the best Polestar 2 yet, and … the best looking one, too.”
Indeed, on the outside the obvious changes are restricted to a blanking plate where the grille was previously, this containing the so-called ‘SmartZone’ of cameras and sensors for upgraded safety systems that now include standard blind-spot warnings/interventions and cross traffic alert with automated braking. A wireless phone charger is now standard across the range as well.

The mechanical updates and new rear-wheel drive motor configuration help the single-motor models accelerate off the line quicker, knocking over a second off the 0-62mph time and increasing power on both the standard and long-range battery versions. Officially stated range for the latter has also increased by over 50 miles to just short of 400 miles thanks to a slight increase in battery size.
The dual-motor car is also upgraded, with more rear-balanced power delivery for improved handling and the ability to automatically disengage the front motor when not needed. This helps towards an improvement in the range to nearly 370 miles, as well as a more rewarding driving experience at the wheel. For those craving more there remains the option to increase the standard dual motor output of 421 horsepower to the Performance Pack’s 476 horsepower, either at point of purchase or down the line as a cost option to download as an over the air (OTA) upgrade. At the same time Polestar’s refined manufacturing processes and the new technology have significantly reduced the overall CO2 impact of building the car, meaning buyers can enjoy all this extra performance with a clean (or, at least, cleaner) conscience.