With the Shanghai Auto Show underway, Polestar has revealed yet another electric vehicle coming to its rapidly growing lineup. The upcoming Polestar 4 will be the brand’s most powerful EV produced and comes with a few quirks alongside Polestar’s well-known Scandinavian design.
The naming of the Polestar 4 might be a bit confusing to some as the automaker has forgone the traditional method of attaching the numerical in a model’s name to the size. Polestar says that in terms of both size and price, the Polestar 4 will sit between the Polestar 2 and 3. For the time being, the numbers only denote when the model was introduced, i.e. the Polestar 2 is the second Polestar model.
With that out of the way, the Polestar 4 will occupy the ever-popular fastback SUV vehicle segment that combines the size of an SUV with the sleek roofline of a coupe, sacrificing vertical trunk room for style. Typically this type of roofline also sacrifices rear headroom, but Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath, says that’s not the case:
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,
Polestar 4 Design
The Polestar 4 features the same flavor of Scandinavian minimalism as the rest of the lineup. The headlights are particularly interesting with two right angles on each side, which if pushed together, would form something that resembles Polestar’s logo, very strong branding. As with all other Polestar models, the 4 has the brand’s signature rear lightbar. All the other hallmarks of an aerodynamic electric car is here, retractable door handles, a low nose, and flowing body panels that push the air where it needs to be.
The most eye-catching part of this design however is the lack of a rear window. Polestar says that this helps give a unique experience to those that find themselves in the rear. To let in some light, the panoramic roof extends slightly past where traditionally it would stop in cars with rear windows. Coupled with the reclining rear seats, and it’s easy to see how it could feel like a lounge back there. With the optional electrochromic functionality, the glass roof can go from crystal clear to opaque instantly. And as you probably guess, instead of a rearview mirror, the driver has a camera feed to see what’s behind them at all times.
Polestar 4 Interior
The interior retains the same clean minimalism as the exterior. To keep in line with their sustainability goes, many parts of the interior are made wholly or in part with recycled plastics.
In the center of the dashboard sits a 15.4-inch touchscreen that runs an operating system co-developed with Google, allowing for built-in Google features such as Maps and Assistant. Apple CarPlay is also available. Behind the steering column sits a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster that can be paired with a 14.7-inch heads-up display.
In terms of driver assistance systems, the Polestar 4 will be equipped with Mobileye’s SuperVision Advanced Driver Assistance System. As part of the system, the car will have a total of twelve cameras, one radar, and twelve ultrasonic sensors.
Polestar 4 Performance
As stated before, the Polestar 4 will be the brand’s most powerful production car. The brand is targeting a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds on its dual-motor model. The Long Range dual motor model will feature a total output of 544 horsepower and a 348-mile range from its 102 kWh battery. As with many EVs, the Polestar 4 will have different drive modes such as Performance and Eco. In the dual-motor model, the eco mode can physically decouple the front motor, forcing only the rear motor to work, helping with range. (It is unclear how much single-motor driving is assumed to reach that 348 miles range)
A single-motor version will also be offered with an output of 272 horsepower and a targeted range of 373 miles.
Both models will be capable of 200 kW charging and will feature bi-directional charging.
Polestar 4 Price and Availability
Production and deliveries will begin in November 2023 for China only. Polestar is planning a global release shortly after in early 2024.
In terms of pricing, the company is targeting a starting price of $60,000.
Source: Polestar
