The Polestar 2 electric car will reach Australia by the end of 2021, the all-electric brand has announced.
Along with four other markets across the Asia Pacific region, including New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore, the new expansion will mean the Polestar 2, an all-electric crossover designed by the eponymous Volvo offshoot will be available in 18 countries, including Europe and North America.
“The brand is gathering real momentum, and it is great to be expanding with Polestar 2 beyond our initial global markets in China, North America and Europe,” says Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar in an official statement.
The Driven had previously confirmed with Volvo Australia thant a local launch date would be the first quarter of 2022 at the earliest, so today’s announcement will be warmly welcomed by those keen to see another choice added to Australia’s limited EV market.
Specific timing for Australia has not yet been confirmed but is at an “advanced planning stage”Nathan Forshaw, Polestar’s new head of the China and Asia Pacific regions. said in a statement.
“While we are growing rapidly, we are ensuring both our organisation and processes ensure a consistent and truly Polestar experience for our customers, wherever they are based.”
Neither has local pricing, but as the Polestar 2 launch edition is priced from £49,900 (about $A89,900 converted) in the UK expect it to sit above the Tesla Model 3 Long Range which in Australia sells from $A81,900.
As for specifications, the UK launch edition that was first introduced in mid-2020 includes a 78kWh battery with 311 miles, or 500km, driving range according to the European WLTP rating, a sprint from 0 to 100km/hr in 4.7 seconds and a solid 300kW power and 660Nm torque from its dual motors.
This launch edition in the UK came with Pilot and Plus packages as standard, including the semi-autonomous Pilot Assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and a 360-degree top-down camera.
Additionally, the Polestar 2 UK launch edition offered a full-length panoramic roof, LED headlights, frameless wing mirrors, heated front and rear seats as well as steering wheel, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system.
Local specifications and launch edition may vary and we will, of course, keep you updated as more information is made available, and it expected there will also be a second battery size on offer later down the track.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.