After being teased just a couple of days ago, the Polestar 4 has been revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show
Yes that’s right, it’s a week of reveals and another all-electric SUV has hit the market. This time it’s Polestar’s time, and this is their new Polestar 4.
They did a very good job of showing us a teaser last week in which they pretty much revealed nothing apart from a small slither of the bonnet. Now though, we can see the full thing. It’s designed as another coupe-SUV (still failing to see the real point of them) but Polestar are expecting this to be better than the equivalent Tesla Model Y.
Design
In terms of size and price, the 4 is positioned (rather confusingly) between the Polestar 2 and Polestar 3. Speaking about the design, Polestar’s CEO, Thomas Ingenlath said: “With Polestar 4 we have taken a fundamental new approach to SUV coupé 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 coupé that celebrates rear occupant comfort and experience.”
You’ll also note that there is no rear window on the car, as the standard-fit panoramic roof doesn’t go all the way down. Polestar state this provides ‘a new kind of immersive rear occupant experience’, apparently. And yes, how will you see out the back? I hear you say. Well, Polestar has thankfully thought of that, and instead of having a rear view mirror (because they’re so last century), you have a real-time high definition screen hooked up to a camera. That apparently provides a wider field of view. The camera is hidden on the back of the fin that pokes up on the roof.
Weirdly though, you can also disable the camera and focus on what’s in front. Maybe if you’re missing driving a van?
Interior
From what we can see, it seems like a very well thought out design with a large central screen dominating the cabin. Whilst minimalist, there is still a 10.2 inch digital drivers display – unlike on the Model 3 or Model Y. The whole interior is built with the use of sustainable materials. They include a ‘tailored knit textile which consists of 100% recycled PET, along with bio-attributed MicroTech vinyl and animal welfare-secured Nappa leather upholsteries.’
Even the flooring is getting the eco treatment. Polestar state the ‘inlay carpets in the interior are made using recycled PET’ whilst the actual floor carpets are made using ECONYL, which is formed from the remnants of discarded fishing nets. They also say ‘specific door trim panels are made from NFPP (natural fibre polypropylene) which results in up to 50% less virgin plastic and a weight saving of up to 40%.’ Very promising stuff.
Performance
This promises to be their fastest production car yet. There’s 544bhp on tap driving all 4 wheels, which results in a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds. 3 tenths slower than the Tesla Model Y Performance, but hardly noticeable.
If you don’t fancy all of that power, there will be a rear-wheel drive single motor version released as well with both long range versions featuring a 102 kWh battery. This will allow a range of an apparent 350 miles in the dual motor, and 370 in the single motor. However, the dual motor version will also have a disconnect clutch that will allow the car to disengage the front electric motor when not needed, in an effort to maximise range and efficiency. It is surprising we don’t see more of that.
Technology
The tech inside is pretty decent, you have a 15.4 inch central screen which runs on Android Automotive and uses the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform. Being Android means the whole thing is Google connected. So you have Google Maps, Google Assistant and also Google Play, so gaming may be an option. Android Auto is understandably standard, as is Apple Carplay.
All cars feature OTA (over the air) updates which is fairly commonplace now in the vast majority of mid to high-level cars. A higher level Harman Kardon audio system is available as an option which boasts 12 speakers and 1,400-Watt channel amplifier. An additional two headrest speakers are added to each front seat with the optional Nappa Pack– raising the total to 16. One of my complaints on the Model Y was the lack of optional or even standard fit premium sound system.
There’s also a central screen for the rear passengers to control climate functions that is housed between the two front seats as well. For the driver, there’s an array of 12 cameras with 1 radar and 12 ultrasonic sensors also fitted – for the use of self-driving capability.
Availability
The Chinese made, Swiss designed Polestar 4 will be available from early 2024 in the UK and Europe and will cost from £55,000.
