On the Road in the Polestar 5: Nordic Uncompromising Spirit
At Polestar, design isn't seen as mere decoration. Performance, sustainability, and design are meant to set the standard. With the Polestar 5, they do just that, as the first test drive impressively demonstrates.
Polestar stands for Swedish design and high-performance electric mobility and is majority-owned by the Chinese Geely Group. For the Swedes, it has been clear ever since the brand’s launch in 2017 that electric propulsion will prevail; the only question is how quickly. «We’re fully committed to electric mobility. We don’t offer hybrids, and we don’t make compromises,» emphasizes Christoph Wolnik of Polestar Switzerland. «Europe is electrifying at a rapid pace: Electric vehicle sales rose by 35 percent in the first half of the year. »We at Polestar have no legacy baggage, so there are no compromises when it comes to production either. And we’re already selling more electric cars than Porsche—a comparison we’re not afraid to make.”
Technology straight from the world of racing
A bold statement, just like the Polestar 5. A 5.09-meter-long yet just 1.42-meter-high design gem, uncompromisingly tuned for performance and yet a comfortable grand tourer with 4+1 seats for long-distance travel. The imposing rear view, with its sleek LED light strip and tailgate that slopes upward toward the large panoramic glass roof, is a statement in itself. The low-slung front end with its distinctive dual-blade LED headlights is a real showstopper—and at the same time a challenge, because «integrating the double-wishbone front suspension wasn’t easy,» says Anders Lundell, Industrial Program Manager. «What’s installed now is actually taken straight from the world of racing.»
Incredible Lightness
The Polestar 5 also delivers a racing-car feel when it comes to performance figures. As a dual-motor model, it produces 550 kW/748 PS and 812 Nm. This allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h. The Performance model we tested delivers an impressive 650 kW/884 PS and 1,015 Nm, which presses you even more forcefully into the comfortable sport seats. This allows the Swedish car to accelerate to 100 km/h 0.7 seconds faster. What’s particularly impressive is the ease with which it delivers this power, transfers it to the road, and simultaneously shifts between a stable super sports car and an agile GT. Lundell simply smiles: «Performance is more than just numbers. That includes the extremely stiff chassis, which gave us more leeway in tuning the suspension.» Ultra-light four-piston Brembo brakes, special Michelin tires, and—on the Performance model—adaptive MagneRide dampers round out the impressive package.
A Sophisticated 4+1-Seater
It’s also amazing how much space you have, even in the back of this sophisticated GT. If needed, the center armrest can be folded back, turning the 4-seater into a 4+1-seater. The storage space—365 liters in the trunk and 52 liters in the front trunk—isn’t exactly generous, but that’s not why you buy the Polestar 5! The electric car, equipped with a 112-kWh battery, a range of up to 678 km, and 800-volt architecture for fast charging at the charging station, is available in Switzerland starting at 115,000 francs (Performance: starting at 135,000 francs).
Just a little confused
All that’s left to do is hop in and have fun. The controls, multimedia system, and sound quality are all impressive. Information is displayed on the portrait-oriented 14.5-inch screen in the center console, the 9-inch driver display mounted directly on the steering wheel, or the 9.5-inch head-up display. The Polestar’s only criticism comes from the latter. Depending on the sunlight, the frame can cause glare. Lundell just smiles. «We’ve noticed that too and are planning an update. Anyone who gets one of the first Polestar 5s in Switzerland and finds this bothersome can have it replaced.» Here, too: simply uncompromisingly good …
