Software drives Polestar’s 2022 debut in Australia

Volvo Cars’ independently run EV brand Polestar will debut in Australia in early 2022 with an electric car that leads with its expansive software.

Volvo’s EV brand Polestar leads the way with its expansive software.

Volvo Cars’ independently run EV brand Polestar will debut in Australia in early 2022 with an electric car that leads with its expansive software.

Polestar exists at the edgier end of the Geely/Volvo family’s operations. The coming Polestar 2 includes a bespoke Google control and infotainment system that has its own internet connection independent of your phone.

Polestar is giving developers the tools to create apps for the car which will receive over-the-air updates that not only improve the infotainment system but also offer better efficiency, longer range and new driving characteristics via updates.

“Software is incredibly important for not only the stuff you expect it to be relevant, like the entertainment system, but even the basic things of how the car drives and brakes,” said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. “The biggest department definitely is software development nowadays in R and D.”

Polestar began exporting cars to 10 markets in 2019-20; this year it is expanding into 12 new markets, including Australia, with a target of 50 markets by the end of 2022. It employs more than 1500 staff.

Polestar 2 and subsequent Polestars, including two coming SUVs and a four-door GT model, are full EVs, with sustainability a cornerstone of development.

Polestar never brought the racy hybrid electric Polestar 1 to Australia. It was a limited edition sports vehicle with about 500 produced over three years. Production has just stopped.

Polestar 2 and subsequent Polestars, including two coming SUVs and a four-door GT model, are full EVs, with sustainability a cornerstone of development.

The company’s Project Zero seeks to use recyclable materials for interiors and is taking responsibility for battery recycling, including the use of blockchain to trace cobalt used in its batteries. Polestar plans to establish battery centres for repair and eventual recycling.

The standard interior of the Polestar 2 is vegan, with zero animal products; leather costs extra.

The infotainment menu

The star of the show is Polestar 2’s constantly connected infotainment system built in partnership with Google, with an 11-inch touchscreen. Google Maps and Google Assistant are built in and navigation directions can display in front of the driver on their LCD screen. You can download and install Android apps. You don’t need a Google account or phone, or be a Google user.

Polestar sees a collaboration with Google as more powerful than mirroring Android Auto; you can ask Google Assistant to increase the fan speed and it can recommend routing, taking into account battery level and the location of compatible charging stations which the regular Assistant cannot do.

You can use voice to control the climate; Android Auto can’t do that. Polestar says not everything operates with voice for safety reasons. You wouldn’t want a mischievous passenger commanding Google to turn off the headlights at night.

The star of the show is Polestar 2’s constantly connected infotainment system built in partnership with Google, with an 11-inch touchscreen.

You can link your phone to the entertainment system to manage calls and texts without CarPlay or Auto, but if you must have them, Android Auto is available at launch, with Apple CarPlay coming in 2022 through an over-the-air update.

The car comes with a three-year data plan at no extra cost, with Polestar finalising a longer plan. Polestar says you can opt out of data sharing with Google if that worries you, without losing functionality, but you might lose some personalisation.

The car recognises a digital key embedded in the Polestar app for locking and unlocking, or you can use a proximity key. Once inside, you don’t need to press a start button, you select a gear and go.

There are a range of safety features, with 18 sensors around the car.

Three models debut in January. A standard range single motor model ($59,900), a long range single motor ($64,900) and long range double motor ($69,900), with motors front and back.

Polestar says the first two models qualify for $3000 subsidies in Victoria and NSW if you buy before quotas are filled.

Top speeds are 160 km/h on one motor and 205km/h for dual motor cars with 0 to 100km/h under five seconds with the dual motor model.

There is no 180km/h limit as with regular Volvos. Driving range is from 470 to 540km. Batteries vary from 69 to 78kWh, with quick charging from 10 to 80 per cent in 35 minutes. The car uses Type 2 chargers at home and you can use common fast chargers.

There’s an optional panoramic roof, 8-speaker audio, LED headlights, a power operated tailgate, rain sensor, front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, 19-inch alloy wheels with an option for 20-inch wheels, and optional extras packs.

Polestar 2 smartphone app

The company plans to roll out Polestar 2 in all Australian capitals except Darwin.

The company is offering five-year service and an eight-year battery warranty. Servicing will be through the Volvo network in Australia.

Test drives begin in Sydney on November 15 and then will be available in other locations. Pre-orders begin later this year with sales from January 2022. You can order and customise a car using the Polestar app. The Australian will test drive the Polestar 2.

Polestar is headquartered at Gothenburg, Sweden on the Volvo Cars campus.

Polestar 2 interior with an optional sunroof.

Originally published as Software drives Polestar’s 2022 debut in Australia