Porsche Insights as Polestar Reveals More of its Future Models

THE luxury electric division of Geely, Polestar, is expanding its ambitions with more details about its upcoming 5 and 6 models and an unabashed aim to take on its electric counterparts at Porsche.

Its Polestar 5, based on the seductive Precept concept car, is a large four-door EV that targets the Porsche Taycan and will be launched next year. The Polestar 6 (which was born as the O2 concept) is a two-door convertible with a folding hardtop that would go up against the Porsche 911.

Now, Polestar is preparing the Polestar 6 roadster for production, inking 2026 as the likely launch year.

It will be built on Polestar’s bonded aluminium platform and feature the high-performance, 800-Volt electric architecture already confirmed for Polestar 5.

This includes output of up to 650kW and 900Nm from a dual motor powertrain, a targeted 0-100 km/h sprint time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. 

Polestar last year in August announced it would make 500 numbered units of a special ‘LA Concept’ version, the ‘Polestar 6 LA Concept edition’, as the first model. These exclusively feature a ‘Sky’ blue exterior, light leather interior and 21-inch wheels of the same design as the original Polestar O2 concept.

The 500 were taken up within a week of the offering and led to Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath stating that: “a stunning electric roadster like Polestar 6 has high relevance in the sportscar arena.”

“The open-top-plus-electric combination is clearly one that appeals to even the most die-hard petrol heads.”

With Polestar 6 now included in its portfolio, Polestar plans to launch four new EVs within five years.

This has started with the world debut of the company’s first electric performance SUV – Polestar 3 – in October 2022.

The Polestar 3 is planned to be followed by the Polestar 4 electric performance SUV coupe in 2023 and Polestar 5, the electric performance 4-door GT based on the Precept concept car, in 2024.

The Polestar 5 is regarded as a luxury four-door coupe to be a rival for the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan.

It is made of bonded aluminium (other Polestars are made of steel) and although much of the engineering work is from Volvo, the Polestar 5 is a clean-sheet design from Polestar and was developed in the UK by specialist teams that also work on Formula One cars.

Polestar said it will have the same drivetrain as the Polestar 6 — up to 650kW — which is 90kW more than the Taycan Turbo S at 560kW.

It is expected to have a driving range of up to 480km.

Like the concept car, the production Polestar 5 is expected to have an interior that uses sustainable materials, including flax, recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets, and cork.

The concept had four seats but production models are expected to have a traditional five-seat interior. There are also two luggage storage areas — one at the back and a smaller ‘frunk’ at the front.

It has been shown with a 15-inch central touchscreen and a 10-inch driver’s display, both likely for production, although the car may miss out on the concept’s rear-vision cameras.

Pricing is unknown but likely to be close to $200,000 as a starter. The Porsche Taycan starts at $164,400 (plus costs), but the Turbo S which shares the Polestar 6’s performance, is from $363,000.

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