The Polestar 3 electric performance SUV was unveiled by the Swedish brand. This new SUV for the electric era is defined by Scandinavian simplicity and purity in combination with the essential components of a sport utility vehicle. The SUV becomes more appealing for all the right reasons thanks to Polestar 3, in addition to being more responsible.

“Polestar 3 is a powerful electric SUV that appeals to the senses with a distinct, Scandinavian design and excellent driving dynamics. It takes our manufacturing footprint to the next level, bringing Polestar production to the United States. We are proud and excited to expand our portfolio as we continue our rapid growth,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO.

Innovation and responsibility at the core

The Polestar 3 debuts a new aerodynamic shape that places a major emphasis on keeping the characteristics of an SUV, such as a commanding and broad stance. A front aero wing incorporated into the bonnet, a rear aero wing integrated into the spoiler, and rear aero blades have all contributed to this modest but efficient aerodynamic optimization.

The Polestar 3 debuts a new aerodynamic shape that places a major emphasis on keeping the characteristics of an SUV, such as a commanding and broad stance. A front aero wing incorporated into the bonnet, a rear aero wing integrated into the spoiler, and rear aero blades have all contributed to this modest but efficient aerodynamic optimization.

Polestar 3 is a tech-packed safe-box

The NVIDIA DRIVE core computer, which runs Volvo Cars’ software, is the first centralized computing system to be used in a Polestar vehicle, the Polestar 3. The enhanced driving-assistance safety features and driver monitoring are made possible by NVIDIA’s high-performance automotive platform, which acts as the AI brain and interprets data from the vehicle’s many sensors and cameras.

A Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform powers the infotainment system. The Snapdragon Cockpit Platform will be used to deliver immersive in-vehicle experiences with its high-performance capabilities to deliver high-definition displays, premium surround sound, and seamless connectivity throughout the vehicle.

The Snapdragon Digital Chassis is a comprehensive set of open and scalable cloud-connected automotive platforms.

Polestar 3 has next-generation superior active and passive safety technologies from Volvo Cars as part of its DNA as the company enters a new age of safety. This includes the newest invention, internal radar sensors, which can detect movements as little as one millimeter in the car’s interior and assist prevent leaving kids or pets inside unintentionally.

To prevent heat stroke or hypothermia, the system is also connected to the climate control system.

Polestar 3 is equipped with cutting-edge ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) technology owing to further partnerships with premier safety technology providers like Zenseact, Luminar, and Smart Eye. These systems integrate effortlessly because of the centralized processing capacity.

Sensors and cameras everywhere

To enable a variety of cutting-edge safety features, Polestar 3 comes equipped with a total of five radar modules, five external cameras, and twelve external ultrasonic sensors. A heated radar module, camera, and a number of forward-facing sensors are gathered in the SmartZone, which is underneath the front aero wing and has since come to symbolize Polestar design.

For the first time on a Polestar, two closed-loop driver monitoring cameras with cutting-edge eye tracking technology from Smart Eye enable safer driving. When the cameras identify a motorist who is preoccupied, sleepy, or disconnected, they may send warning messages, make noises, or even activate an emergency stop feature.

The in-car operating system, Android Automotive OS, was created in collaboration with Google and has a 14.5-inch center display. A revolution in usefulness and style for the big SUV market, it is an advancement of the technology initially introduced in the Polestar 2, the first automobile in the world with Google built in.

To enable ongoing software development and the addition of new features without the need to visit a service location, over-the-air (OTA) updates are incorporated.

Aiming for top performance and reliability

“Our goal was to offer the performance and precision that define all Polestar cars, without compromising the comfort of the daily drive. To do this, we used new components like the adaptive air suspension to engineer the ‘Polestar feeling’ for this type of car,” said Joakim Rydholm, Polestar’s chief chassis engineer.

With two motors and a power skew toward the back, Polestar 3 launches. 360 kW and 840 Nm of torque are produced overall by the basic vehicle. Total power with the optional Performance Pack is 380 kW and 910 Nm.

Included are an electronic Torque Vectoring Dual Clutch function on the rear axle and an adjustable one-pedal drive, both of which were created originally for the Polestar 1. Additionally, the rear electric motor has a decoupling mechanism that, under certain situations, enables the vehicle to operate only on the front electric motor in order to save energy.

Dual-chamber air suspension, which is standard on the Polestar 3, provides advanced chassis control and enables the car to switch between comfortable and sporty suspension characteristics. The active damper velocity of the vehicle may also be electronically altered once every two milliseconds (500 Hz).

Polestar 3 has a great driving range of up to 610 km WLTP thanks to a 111 kWh battery pack (preliminary). The lithium-ion battery has a prismatic cell architecture and is protected by an aluminum casing reinforced with boron steel and cooled by liquid. Standard equipment on Polestar 3 is a heat pump, which enables it to make use of incoming heat for battery and climatic preconditioning.

Additionally, Polestar 3 has bidirectional charging capabilities, opening up the possibility of future vehicle-to-grid and plug-and-charge possibilities.

Performance pack, availability, and price

Polestar 3 has a long list of standard equipment, similar to Polestar 2, with limited configuration choices and streamlined manufacturing logistics. All models come standard with air suspension, a full-length panoramic glass roof, interior and exterior illumination made entirely of LEDs, retractable door handles, and 21-inch alloy wheels.

For the first model year, the Plus Pack and Pilot Pack are installed as standard equipment and come with a variety of high-end, luxurious, and practical features like a Bowers & Wilkins 25-speaker audio system with 3D surround sound and Dolby Atmos capability, soft-closing doors, a head-up display, and Pilot Assist.

The optional Pilot Pack with LiDAR from Luminar, which will be available for purchase starting in the second quarter of 2023, will include an additional NVIDIA control unit, three cameras, four ultrasonic sensors, and cleaning for the front- and rear-view cameras.

It will provide accurate real-time data about the car’s surroundings, particularly in the long-range field. This makes it possible to scan the environment around the automobile in 3D and helps the vehicle become ready for autonomous driving.

With the highest power and torque output (380 kW and 910 Nm), performance-tuned air suspension, exclusive 22-inch forged alloy wheels, and more distinguishing “Swedish gold” accents, the optional Performance Pack further refines driving characteristics.

The first vehicle to use a new all-electric technological foundation created by Volvo Cars and Polestar 3 is the latter. First deliveries are anticipated to occur in the fourth quarter of 2023. Production for the first launch markets is scheduled to start at Volvo Cars’ factory in Chengdu, China, in an incremental ramp-up phase from mid-2023.

The Polestar 3 price, at launch, is around EUR 89,900.