Sure, the headlights and taillights are cribbed proper from Polestar’s Swedish daddy, however the whole lot between them is recent as all get-out. This coupe is lengthy, low and large, actually gorgeous proportions that stand out in an ever-growing sea of SUVs. It’s not a busy design, both; apart from a number of main creases to emphasise its energy, the carbon fiber physique panels are freed from pointless styling cues. Slather all of it in a $5,000 coat of flat paint, and you have got fairly the dialog starter. No, critically: I have not obtained this a lot consideration driving a automotive since I final had a McLaren.While a fast look by the Polestar 1’s window might depart you pondering that the corporate nicked all the cabin from Volvo, you’d solely be partially proper. Yes, the final format is similar, however the materials alternative is way extra premium. The Nappa leather-based seats are endlessly smooth with the correct quantity of help, and there is pretty actual steel and tasteful matte carbon fiber trim. The Polestar’s single-piece crystal shifter is kind of the sight, as properly, and appears nice when the solar hits it… which is mainly on a regular basis, because the roof is sort of solely glass.It’s fairly apparent {that a} six-figure Swedish Hellcat is not essentially the most sensible automobile on the planet. Interior storage choices are restricted to the glove field, door panels and cup holders; the middle armrest cubby is so shallow that I can barely shove a single iPhone 11 Pro in there. Getting into the rear is a hilarious train in ready a full minute for an influence seat to creep ahead, however except you’re a little one (during which case, how did you purchase this automotive?) you will not match again there anyway. In reality, the rear seats are higher off being handled because the trunk, as a result of the Polestar 1’s precise trunk is generally full of batteries. Yes, it is cool that I can see them by slightly window, however at 4.3 cubic toes, I barely have room for groceries in what little cargo house stays. But the Polestar 1 is not about practicality, and that is evident from its powertrain. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged inline-4 fuel engine. It mates to an built-in starter-generator and an eight-speed computerized transmission, sending 326 horsepower and 321 pound-feet of torque to the entrance axle completely. The again half of the equation is a pair of 85-kilowatt motors that ship 232 hp and 354 lb-ft to the rear tires.Put all of it collectively, and you have got a meaty 619 hp and 738 lb-ft, sufficient to shove this flat-white rocket to 60 mph in below 4 seconds. Yet, owing to the Polestar 1’s measurement, the acceleration by no means feels brutal or stunning; it comes on instantly with that instantaneous electrical torque filling the gaps because the internal-combustion engine spins up, however because it all feels so chill because it’s occurring, it is extremely straightforward to overshoot posted velocity limits.
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The Polestar 1’s inside may be very Volvo-heavy, however the materials high quality is greater, and the glass roof permits a ton of sunshine. Andrew Krok/CNETThe Polestar 1 presents a number of driving modes, however solely its Power setting unleashes the total canine and pony present. In its default Hybrid mode, it’s going to putt round on electrical energy till I dig deep sufficient into the throttle, and the crossover from EV to ICE is fairly dang easy. It may function completely as an electrical automobile, however as my esteemed boss famous in his evaluate of a 2020 mannequin, the Polestar 1’s 5,165-pound curb weight turns into fairly obvious when the automotive is just utilizing half of its powertrain. Nevertheless, as a result of there is a whopping 34-kilowatt-hour battery within the again, the Polestar 1’s electrical vary is prodigious. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates an EV-only vary of 52 miles, however I used to be seeing estimates nearer to 60 when topped off. Overall, the feds declare the Polestar 1 presents 26 mpg mixed on the fuel engine alone, or 58 MPGe when working as a hybrid. Regenerative braking could be boosted by transferring the shifter from D to B, however it’s not true one-pedal driving. I can cost the battery on the go by activating the Polestar’s 1 Charge mode or I can hold these electrons for later use in Hold mode, within the occasion I’m leaving the freeway and need to run round metropolis streets in relative silence.
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Peek into the trunk for a have a look at all of the high-voltage {hardware} that makes the Polestar 1 as enjoyable as it’s. Andrew Krok/CNETThe remainder of the Polestar 1’s underlying bits mix to supply fairly the expertise. It rides slightly stiffly over Michigan’s pockmarked roads, however guess what? I can change that by popping the hood and adjusting the Öhlins coilover suspension to dial in some extra smoothness. In its default setting, the suspension handles weight switch excellently, slicing by twisty roads like a well-sharpened chef’s knife. The huge Akebono brakes will shut the whole lot down in a rush, however they’re straightforward to modulate in every day driving. The steering is direct however numb, par for the course lately. All these components end in a grand tourer that is good at hiding its curb weight when the going will get sinewy.When it involves cabin tech, Polestar as soon as once more leans on Papa Volvo. The portrait show on the dashboard runs the Sensus Connect infotainment system. I like its Google integration, and I like that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto solely take up a part of the display when working, however it nonetheless takes ages to get up on a chilly begin and it isn’t as responsive as I want it was. The Polestar 2’s homebrewed Android-powered infotainment system is a lot better, to be trustworthy. Volvo’s security tech is current, and it’s as pretty as ever, protecting all the same old stuff like computerized emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help and blind-spot monitoring. I can solely think about what it prices to repair a carbon fiber physique panel coated in matte paint.
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Keeping Apple CarPlay to solely a portion of the show is a great concept, in case there’s one thing else within the system that wants accessing in a rush. Andrew Krok/CNETWhich brings me to the worth. The Polestar 1 stickers at a hefty $156,500, together with $1,500 for vacation spot. Throw in that matte paint job, and my tester rings in at $161,500. You’re in the best spot if you would like a stand-alone assertion piece, since they’re solely constructing 1,500 of those and manufacturing ends later this yr. But if you wish to cross-shop, the Polestar 1 is in a wierd place. You can simply spend that a lot cash on a full EV, whether or not it is a Tesla Model S Plaid or a Porsche Taycan Turbo S. If you are not fairly able to ditch your internal-combustion engine, the Polestar finds itself staring down sensible section stalwarts just like the Audi R8, Mercedes-AMG GT and Porsche 911. If you are after one thing nearer to a grand tourer in taste, there are the also-excellent Lexus LC or the Mercedes-Benz SL.The Polestar 1 is a really fascinating sort of aberration. Since Polestar is electric-only beginning with the two, what you see right here won’t ever be made once more, nor will Polestar use its underpinnings for future automobiles. It’s a very restricted version, and it rewards the brave purchaser with immense model and spectacular efficiency underpinned by equally spectacular powertrain expertise.