Polestar introduces Polestar 4, an electric performance SUV coupe and the second SUV in the brand’s lineup. Design cues first seen on Polestar’s concept cars are brought to production in the fastest Polestar production car to date. Polestar 4 is positioned between Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 in terms of size and price.
Jason Church, COO of Courtesy Automotive Group, which owns Polestar Scottsdale, is thrilled with the momentum of the brand. “Polestar has created the next generation of sustainable, affordable luxury EVs and is releasing them in rapid succession. We couldn’t be more thrilled as an automotive group to be part of the foundation of this emerging and leading edge brand already taking on Tesla and Porsche,” said Church.
“With Polestar 4 we have taken a fundamental new approach to SUV coupe design. Rather than simply modifying an existing SUV, giving it a faster roofline and as a result, compromising elements like rear headroom and comfort, we have designed Polestar 4 from the ground up as a new breed of SUV coupe that celebrates rear occupant comfort and experience,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO.
Design
As a design-driven brand, the design of Polestar 4 showcases key elements first shown on the Polestar Precept concept car. This includes eliminating the rear window, which enables a new kind of immersive rear occupant experience. Additionally, the separation of the dual blade front lights with unique Polestar light signature – complemented by the Polestar emblem with precision lighting from below.
Aerodynamic efficiency is maximized by the low nose, retractable door handles, flush glazing with frameless windows, rear aero blades and air flow optimization around the rear light bar.
Built on the premium Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) developed by Geely Holding, Polestar 4 is a D-segment SUV coupe with a large body and long, 2,999 mm wheelbase. Overall length is 4,839 mm, width is 2,139 mm and height is 1,544 mm. The resulting generous interior proportions are especially evident in the rear, where occupants experience an intimate environment with reclining seats. Adjustable ambient lighting is inspired by the solar system and adds an extra dimension to the interior, allowing the driver to customize their environment.
The standard full-length glass roof is available with optional electrochromic functionality, allowing for opaque or transparent upward visibility depending on the mood. Thanks to the elimination of the rear window, the glass roof stretches beyond the rear occupants’ heads, creating a truly unique interior ambience. A secondary media and climate control screen is mounted between the front seats to enable rear occupant control.
The rearview mirror is replaced by a high-definition screen that shows a live feed from a roof-mounted rear camera – enabling a far wider field of view than what can be experienced in most other cars. The digital feed can be deactivated to allow drivers to instead see rear occupants when needed – a convenient feature for parents transporting children in the backseat.
Maximilian Missoni, Head of Design at Polestar, says: “With Polestar Precept we previewed a stunning new occupant experience by removing the rear window and pushing the rear header, which plays an integral safety role, further back. This means that rear occupants can now have a unique experience in our SUV coupe.”
The interior and its materials have been designed around the theme of “soft tech,” drawing inspiration from the fashion and sportswear industries. Color and material choices for Polestar 4 explore new executions for Polestar – including new exterior colors Storm and Electron, and a unique new interior color, Mist.
Sustainability
In Polestar 4, more circular and low-carbon materials replace traditional solutions. This includes measures for greater supply chain transparency, like blockchain traceability for risk materials in the batteries. A full lifecycle assessment (LCA), showing the true carbon footprint of the car, will be published alongside the Polestar 4 Product Sustainability Declaration in 2024.
A novel mono-material approach is applied to interior materials, where all layers of certain components are produced from the same base material. This allows them to be recycled more effectively and efficiently by eliminating the need for incompatible materials to be separated before recycling.
New interior materials include a tailored knit textile, which consists of 100 percent recycled PET, along with bio-attributed MicroTech vinyl and animal welfare-secured Nappa leather upholsteries.
The tailored knit upholstery is a new technique for the automotive industry. First shown in the Precept concept car, the textile is made from 100 percent recycled polyester. The material and the design have been created by Polestar designers together with the Swedish School of Textiles (Borås Textilhögskolan) and further developed with suppliers. It is made to fit, producing no offcuts and reduced overall waste.
Inlay carpets in the interior are made using recycled PET and floor carpets are made using ECONYL, which includes reclaimed fishing nets. Specific door trim panels are made from NFPP (natural fiber polypropylene), which results in up to 50 percent less virgin plastic and a weight saving of up to 40 percent. MicroTech, first introduced in Polestar 3, is a bio-attributed vinyl that replaces crude oil with pine oil in its construction and features a recycled textile backing.
Performance
Polestar 4 is the fastest production car the brand has ever developed to date. The 0-60 mph sprint can be completed in less than 3.8 seconds (according to early data) and maximum power output is 400 kW (544 hp). Motors are of a permanent magnet, synchronous design. Driving dynamics are true to the Polestar brand – sharp steering and handling responses result in a thrilling and nimble driving experience for all occupants.
Both dual- and single-motor versions will be available, with single-motor versions featuring rear-wheel drive. Despite the high output and performance, control and confidence are always key factors to produce a responsible, everyday-enjoyable EV experience. Semi-active suspension features in the dual-motor version provide an additional layer of adjustment between comfort and performance dynamics. Wheels range from 20 to 22-inches in size, depending on the version, with tires supplied by Pirelli and Michelin.
A 102 kWh battery is fitted to both long-range versions. The Long range Dual motor features 400 kW (544 hp), 686 Nm (506 lb-ft). A disconnect clutch allows the car to disengage the front electric motor when not needed, to maximize range and efficiency.
Up to 200 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging is included for all versions, and the charge lid is motorized. Bi-directional charging is included, with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability at launch providing for external devices to draw power from Polestar 4. A heat pump is fitted as standard, allowing the car to capitalize on ambient heat when preconditioning the cabin and battery.
A new drive optimization function allows the driver to select between range or performance driving modes in the Long range Dual motor version. Performance mode sharpens up responsiveness from the powertrain and engages both motors at all times for full power delivery and best performance. Range mode prioritizes efficiency, adapting the powertrain to a calmer style and forces use of only the rear motor.
The Long range Single motor version features a 200 kW (272 hp) and 343 Nm (253 lb-ft) motor at the rear and a preliminary range target of over 300 miles EPA, according to early data.
Technology
Polestar continues to push technology toward a more entertaining, connected and autonomous future in all its cars. In Polestar 4, the infotainment system powered by Android Automotive OS and the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform now utilizes a 15.4-inch landscape-oriented screen.
With Google built-in, including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play, Polestar continues to offer a leading connected experience. The close collaboration with Google allows Polestar to keep pushing the boundaries of the system.
A Harman Kardon audio system is available as an option, with 12 speakers and 1,400-Watt channel-hybrid amplifier. An additional two headrest speakers are added to each front seat with the optional Nappa Pack– raising the total to 16. Naturally, Apple CarPlay is included.
As with all other Polestar cars, regular over-the-air (OTA) updates allow for new features and improvements to be sent remotely to all vehicles, removing the need to visit a workshop to gain the latest software.
Safety
Safety is part of Polestar’s DNA thanks to its strong connection to Volvo Cars and these safety genes are built into Polestar 4, which features leading safety technology inside and out – tested to the same exacting standards as all other Polestar cars. Nine airbags are included. New partnerships bring intelligent safety technology to the fore, including the SuperVision Advanced Driver Assistance System from Mobileye.
A total of 12 cameras, one radar and 12 ultrasonic sensors are fitted as standard. This includes a driver monitoring camera, which only relays data and does not record video, to monitor the driver’s eyes and head movements to help avoid incidents related to fatigue or incapacitation. Together with hands-on detection in the steering wheel, the driver monitoring system helps to keep the driver actively engaged in driving, as required.
A 10.2-inch driver display is mounted ahead of the steering column and includes speed, battery and range information. When engaged by various assistance systems, a virtual environment can show other road users, current driving assistance functions and navigation information. To reduce distraction, a head-up display (HUD) with 14.7-inch projection area in front of the driver relays key vehicle, telephony and navigation information to the windscreen, further improving driver attentiveness. A clever “snow mode” function for the HUD switches the text color from white to yellow, improving visibility in snowy environments.
The optional Pilot Pack includes enhanced Pilot Assist with lane change assistance, initiated by the driver tapping the indicator stalk in the desired direction.
Equipment packs
Standard vehicle specification is high, with additional packages tailored to adding specific options that enhance overall enjoyment. The Plus Pack is comprised of comfort and technology upgrades, with the Plus Pro Pack adding a color-coded body execution, the electrochromic glass roof and additional interior illumination. The Nappa Pack can be selected in addition to the Plus Pack, and includes animal welfare-secured Nappa leather upholstery with ventilation, massage and additional headrest speakers for the front seats.
The Pilot Pack includes Pilot Assist and its extended features. The Performance Pack increases the performance look and driving experience of the Long range Dual motor version, with 22-inch wheels, 4-piston Brembo brakes, Polestar Engineered performance chassis tuning and Swedish gold details for the brakes, seat belts and valve caps.
Production, availability and pricing
Polestar 4 launches first in China, with production planned to begin in Hangzhou Bay, China, in November 2023. The state-of-the-art Geely-owned production facility operates on 100% renewable electricity.
Details for the North American market will be presented in 2024, with the vehicle arriving later that year. Indicative launch pricing is from $60,000.