Polestar 4: a cross between an SUV and a coupe, combining the best of both universes

Polestar, a brand specialized in premium electric vehicles, presented its new Polestar 4 model for the first time in Spain. It is a cross between a coupe and an SUV, measuring 4.84 m in length, like the Polestar 2 and 3, and shares the platform of Geely’s SEA family. However, the brand, based in Gothenburg (Sweden), offers an alternative to models of similar length – the Polestar 4 is 4.84 m long – already on sale, such as the Tesla Model Y, Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW i4, Porsche Macan, BYD Seal U, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV or Lexus. RZ 450e, among other things; But also for sedans such as BYD Seal, Ioniq 6, BMW i4 or Mercedes EQE.

Compared to the latter, its body is slightly higher, Well, it reaches 1.54 m, while none of these sedans exceed 1.50 m; whereas in relation to the group of SUVs it is significantly lower: None of those who can be considered competitors to this new Polestar model are shorter than 1.62 m tall.

Its five-door body looks stylish. coupe-shaped with a sharply lowered roof at the rear which, with much more refinement, could be compared to a Porsche Macan or Tesla Model Y; Now Polestar has given it several solutions that are at least eye-catching and make it significantly different from any other. ANDThis is the case of a tailgate without glass. Without a rear window, the rearview mirror can act as a mirror, but most often when driving it acts as a monitor for the camera located at the end of the roof.

As well as being different, the brand says it offers better aerodynamics, although its Cx isn’t particularly low, even when it includes retractable door handles, air intakes in the front bumper to create an air curtain effect, protecting the wheels or reducing front Part. grill on a small grill. For example, the Ioniq 6 has a drag coefficient of 0.21 compared to 0.26 – the same as the RZ 450e – is achieved by this Swedish model.

On the other hand, from the coupe, in addition to this roof shape, it has resources such as frameless windows, and the huge panoramic roof is also very striking which comes standard with any Polestar 4 unit.

If you choose the photochromic function, you will have to pay 1,900 euros for the option, one of the few individual ones along with body-colored lower trims (1,000 euros) or tinted rear windows (500 euros).

For the most part, these add-ons are grouped into four packages: one with Pilot Assis with lane change assist, which costs €1,500, the other with a premium audio system, Pixel LED headlights – as the brand calls its matrix headlights – rear window and a 22kW on-board charger for €5,500; another one with 21-inch wheels for 2000 euros and a fourth, For 4500 euros it includes all the contents of the Performance Pack: 22-inch wheels, Polestar Engineered chassis with adjustable shock absorbers made by ZF, Brembo brakes, gold plated elements, etc., which in this case is only available on the Longe Range Dual Motor version.

With one or two engines and therefore 272 hp. or double

This Dual Motor is the most powerful of the two Polestar 4 models, as it has two motors, one per axle and therefore all-wheel drive. As Polestar 2 recently added, the forward can switch off when his involvement is not needed, which can happen frequently.

Each of these two engines produces 272 hp. (200 kW) and maximum torque of 343 Nm: a total of 544 hp. (400 kW) and 686 Nm. Half the power and torque since it has only one motor on the rear axle – therefore, the same as the Polestar 2 after its restyling -, offers a single engine.

These are always permanent magnet synchronous motors, equipped with a 400 V electrical architecture in which the lithium-ion battery has NMC type cells and, always, The total power is 100 kWh, of which 94 are useful.

Can be charged using direct current using up to 200 kW of power, while it can receive up to 11 kW of alternating current. with standard built-in charger. The hatch protecting the car socket is motorized.

Autonomy allows you to travel very far: 580 and 610 km

When the battery is fully charged The single-engine Polestar 4 Long Range can achieve a very remarkable autonomy of at least 610 km. based on a WLTP approved average consumption of 17.7 kWh/100 km, or 18.6 in the case of the Dual Motor variant, which reduces this range to 580 km.

Both are priced at €65,900 and €72,900 respectively, which is very competitive. compared to similar models such as the Audi Q6 e-tron or Porsche Macan, among many others, but superior to the Tesla Model Y, which is considered the best-selling electric car today.

With a spacious cabin both in width and height.

In our first personal conversation with the Polestar 4, one of the arguments that we understand may matter most to buyers of this model is its interior space.

Frankly, it’s surprising to find e.g. width in the front seats is 151 cm and in the rear 140; Moreover, the height, always measured to the glass ceiling, is also significant: 95 and 93 cm front and rear respectively.

This last measurement, combined with the longitudinal distance of 77 cm (using the 105 cm we set between the brake pedal and the back of the driver’s seat as a guide) is passengers can be significantly tall.

Now this vertical size is achieved thanks to a little placement trick the benches are very close to the floor of the car, always almost level since in the rear zone this is practically not relevant.

Thus, with benches whose edge is 24 cm in the case of the front seats – a huge length, by the way, with 55.5 m if a retractable cushion is used – and 30 cm in the rear, the driver will take the position that Polestar 4 promises: the coupe position; and in the rear this will affect comfort on long trips, since the knees are very high compared to the passenger’s back. Thus, even if the stool is long – and its length is at least 52 cm – it is difficult for an adult to fully rest his hip on it.

In any case, this Polestar offers them a very satisfactory accommodation, also thanks to details such as the possibility that rear passengers can put their feet under the front seats, have electrically adjustable backrest angle from the center armrest -eight degrees between minimum and maximum – or it has its own own control of air conditioning or audio equipmenthave heated benches in case of outdoor seating, etc.. For improvement, we’d also ask that the rear windows be lowered completely, as they are at their lowest position well outside the door.

Record barrel, but with cunning

The trunk stands out even more than the interior: it is very spacious. The key to this is that without a rear window in the body, there is no need for a hidden luggage tray, which is reduced to a small piece placed vertically behind the heads of the rear passengers to separate them from this area. .

Thus, according to our measurements, Polestar 4 achieves: trunk volume is more than 600 liters. This is possible, therefore, mainly due to the fact that, although the inclination of the gate determines the depth of this space in its upper part, it is very large: up to 64 cm in the case of a movable floor. in the down position. At the same time, the highest one has 55 cm and an even continuation of the body with backrests if they are folded.

In any case, what is not level with the ground is the loading plane, which is at a distance of 5 or 16 cm depending on the position of this floor, which can be positioned at two different heights, while in relation to the asphalt it is at distance of 78 cm. Gates that do not affect the height they can occupy when opening, as it could not be otherwise in a motorized model that claims to be premium.

Android Automotive is behind it all

At the front of the cabin, a landscape infotainment screen is used for the first time in Polestar 4. It measures 15.4 inches diagonally and runs Android Automotive. as an operating system with Google integration, voice assistant included and apps like Waze, Spotify, YouTube, Prime Video, etc. It also supports wireless connectivity with phones running Android Auto protocols as well as Apple CarPlay and can be updated over-the-air network, without having to go to the workshop for this.

An interesting function on this screen is the display of astronomical information about the planets of the solar system, so that, we believe, not without a certain optimism, you can take advantage of the views that can be obtained through the panoramic roof.

Another smaller screen, 10.2 inches, is used as the basis for the instruments. located behind the steering wheel, although the driver can rely on information also available through the 14.7-inch head-up display.

Except, The driver is supported by numerous cameras, up to twelve, which work not only to provide visibility around the perimeter of the vehicle, but also to use some of the many driving aids available. Among them are adaptive cruise control with lane centering function, crosswalk warning when reversing, warning of vehicles in the “blind spot”, automatic stopping in the event of a possible collision or collision, etc.

In addition to using Napa leather from animal-welfare farms in the seat upholstery, many of the The materials in the cabin that are within reach are considered high quality and very well put together, organic or recycled. for example PET, as in the case of pads or mats.

And one of Polestar’s goals is to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible. In fact, it is one of the few companies that makes its data public, as is the case with The single-engine version of the Polestar 4 emits 19.9 tonnes of CO2, while the dual-engine version emits 21.4 tonnes. 24 percent comes from the aluminum used in its production at the Hangzhou (China) plant, iron and steel account for 20 percent, and the highest percentage comes from batteries: 36 percent. The rest is made up of polymers – 9 percent; electronics – 6; or other materials – 5 percent.

Those who purchase any of the Polestar 4s today will be delivered between September and October.