Polestar 4 revealed as 537bhp SUV
Following in the footsteps of the 1, 2 and 3, Polestar has launched the 4 as a more sporting rival to Tesla’s Model Y
With Polestar’s EV offensive ramping up in 2023, the all-new 4 SUV has been unveiled at the Auto Shanghai motor show as the marque’s fastest model yet. Sitting alongside the 2 and 3, the model adopts design elements first shown on the striking Precept concept, with a potent powertrain and heaps of interior tech making it a strong new entry to the lineup. While final details will come ahead of its UK launch in 2024, pricing is said to begin at £55,000, with production beginning later this year for the Chinese market.
Sitting between the Polestar 2 and 3, the coupe-SUV is a similar length to the Tesla Model Y, only lower and wider to allow for a more imposing stance and a more capacious battery compartment. Based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), the model will be available in both single and dual motor trims at launch, both with a sizeable 102kWh (94kWh useable) battery pack – for reference, the Tesla Model Y has a 75kWh pack.
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While the Polestar 4 weighs up to 2351kg (quoted), the dual motor car is capable of a 3.8sec 0-62mph time thanks to outputs of 537bhp and 506lb ft of torque – that’s four tenths faster than even the flagship Polestar 1. The entry-level car sports a single motor mounted on the rear axle, producing 268bhp and 253lb ft of torque for a respectable 7.4sec 0-62mph time and 112mph top speed.
An impressive drag coefficient of 0.269Cd makes the Polestar 4 an efficient machine, offering 372 miles of range in single motor configuration (or 350 miles for the dual motor) – Tesla’s Model Y achieves 331 miles WLTP in its most efficient guise. Thanks to the Polestar’s 400V architecture, it’s capable of 200kW DC rapid charging – a 5-80 per cent top up takes just 32 minutes.
In its most potent form, buyers can opt for the Performance Pack, adding 22-inch forged wheels, Pirelli P Zero tyres, four-piston Brembo brakes with larger 392mm front and 364mm rear discs, bespoke chassis tuning and gold detailing. As standard, brakes are 364mm and 350mm front and rear, mounted behind 20-inch cast wheels – these can be upgraded to 21-inch at a cost. The dual motor car also comes equipped with active suspension, giving buyers further adjustability over the single motor car.
The 4’s design takes inspiration from the Precept concept, with the rear window eliminated entirely for a more ‘immersive’ experience – in its place, the model sends a real-time camera feed to a rear view mirror display. The marque’s unique lighting signature can be found front and rear, with a clear focus on efficiency seen throughout – the low nose, retractable door handles and flush glazing all contribute to that low drag coefficient.
Polestar 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.’
Inside, Polestar’s trademark low-carbon materials feature once again, with unique recycled textiles and animal welfare conscious Nappa leather making an appearance. A 15.4-inch landscape infotainment display runs Google’s Android Automotive OS, with a secondary media and climate control screen situated between the front seats for rear passengers. For the driver, there’s a 10.2-inch digital dashboard, with a large 14.7-inch projected head-up display for driving and vehicle information.
As an option, buyers can opt for electrochromic glass in the standard full-length sunroof, alongside a 12-speaker, 1400W Harman Kardon sound system – the optional Nappa package raises this to 16 with speakers in the headrests. The Polestar 4 also features a ‘SuperVision Advanced Driver Assistance System’ as standard, with a total of 12 cameras used to monitor the driver’s eyes and head movements in order to reduce the likelihood of a fatigue-related accident.
The Polestar 4 will launch in China later this year before hitting Europe in 2024. Prices are expected to start from £55,000.
