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This article is reproduced from the autocarweekly public account.
Author: Ling Hu Chong
Today, the new series of Polestar 2 products officially debuted at Shanghai Auto Show. And seeing Polestar, the global high-performance electric vehicle brand, announced the pricing of the new Polestar 2 product series, many people were overwhelmed.
The prices are too comfortable. There are two versions: single motor and dual motor, with two battery packs of 64 kWh and 78 kWh respectively. The standard range version with a single motor costs 252,800 yuan, the long range version with a single motor costs 282,800 yuan, and the long range version with a dual motor that emphasizes performance costs 338,000 yuan. It feels like they are aiming at Tesla’s hottest selling Model 3 in China.
It’s all an illusion. What’s the point of having one more or one less Tesla killer in this world? The intense competition in the electric vehicle market only benefits who in the end? It’s still fuel vehicles.
At the 2021 Shanghai International Auto Show press conference, Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath shared his insights on the electric vehicle industry: “In the 100 years since the birth of the automobile, the global automobile industry is undergoing an unprecedented electrification revolution, which will make a huge contribution to the environment.”
The idea is clear: first, take the opportunity to make real changes; second, unity and hard work are everything. Welcome all capable enterprises to participate in the electric vehicle industry together.
This is also the consensus of pioneers. You can see that Tesla CEO Musk patted Li Bin’s shoulder, and Tesla China CEO Zhu Xiaotong said the sentence that made all electric vehicle camps excited: “As long as we don’t choose fuel vehicles, it is a victory for all of us.”
The electric vehicle ecosystem needs more warmth
Machines are cold, but products can be warm.
The advantages of Tesla’s products need not be mentioned. It has a strong geek style since its inception, coupled with Musk’s personal charm. Like Apple under Jobs and Microsoft under Gates, Tesla has a strong Silicon Valley gene. It can deeply integrate with unmanned driving, acceleration, and even rockets.
The world is diverse, not every new energy vehicle consumer is a programmer, and not all consumers like this ultimate cool technology.
Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 are on the same field, but they are not on the same track. Polestar 2’s track is full of minimalist design, cutting-edge technology, and driving pleasure, and it also has a strong artistic style. Yes, industrial aesthetics can also be classified into the realm of art.
We can take a look at the awards received by Polestar 2.
In 2020, the “German Luxury Car of the Year” award was precisely the feedback to the vision of Thomas Ingenlath, the global CEO of Polestar brand, “Our goal is not only to push electric cars to the market, but also to develop a car that attracts customers with design, innovation and performance.”
“Golden Steering Wheel Award”, this award was won by Polestar 2 with outstanding driving pleasure.
“Annual Innovation Product”, the jury said that Polestar 2 challenged the traditional definition of luxury in the automotive industry, interpreted “sustainable luxury” with practical actions, and led a movement to increase the transparency of the car’s carbon footprint using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method.
“Best Design Award” in the Red Dot Product Design Group. With its strong personality and recognition, Polestar 2 became the product that the jury saw as “breakthrough creative design.”
Interestingly, both Tesla and Polestar teams appreciate minimalist design style. However, Tesla Model 3 emphasizes strengthening the streamline body design, while Polestar 2 has a stronger crossover color. The shield-type grille with semi-closed structure is matched with a simple logo. After the complex lines are simplified, some black elements are applied. The design of the top-back streamline and the side skirt black surround is the reason why the Red Dot Product Design Group judges recognized it. The integrated taillight strip has 288 LED lights, and it will show different lighting effects under different weather and braking intensities.
No matter which Polestar 2 model you choose, you can have the same appearance and interior. It comes standard with 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, Polestar’s iconic frameless rearview mirrors, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, and an 11.15-inch central touch screen. It is easy to associate it with the Nordic understanding of future society, where resources are abundant, everyone takes what they need, and there is no distinction or ranking. Of course, what I like more is that no matter which color of Polestar 2 you buy, there is no extra charge.
Personality keywords: safety, technology and experience
Polestar 2 is also a new energy vehicle that attaches importance to environmental protection, health and safety experience, which is also its killer to win many awards.
The interior feature of Tesla Model 3 is to reduce physical buttons and maximize the use of the central control screen, which can be described as minimalist design. In comparison, I prefer the approach of Polestar 2, which also starts from simplicity and retains some necessary buttons. The hollow shift lever with Polestar logo is more unique than the palm-shaped design, providing consumers with intuitive and easy operation.
The Weave Tech material seats are waterproof and dustproof. I have tried to spill a cup of coffee on it, which can be easily cleaned, and the plasticizer material has been reduced from 45% to 1%, with almost no volatile organic compounds, reducing the weight of the entire vehicle by 7.5 kg. This innovation is really good.
In terms of intelligence, the original Android Automotive OS can be regularly updated via OTA, and in the future, it can also replace traditional keys through Polestar’s mobile smart key function. In terms of active safety, there is Pilot Assist driving assistance system, and passive safety is equipped with 8 safety airbags as standard. The industry’s first “SPOC module” is used to ensure the integrity and safety of the battery pack in the event of an accident. It has won a five-star safety rating in the European New Car Safety Assessment Association (Euro NCAP), and is one of the safest electric vehicles tested by the association.
In terms of endurance, the standard endurance version of the Polestar 2 single motor has a pure electric endurance range of 485 km according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which is slightly better than the 468 km of the Tesla Model 3 standard endurance upgrade version. In fact, as an urban and energy-saving model, the range of 400 km for these two models is already sufficient, and it is not necessary to pursue 600+ km, which has little practical significance.
What brings me joy is the feeling of driving the Polestar 2. It is not foolishly fast, but like driving a 3.0T gasoline car, with sufficient power and strong acceleration, and excellent overtaking performance. Moreover, its hip point is relatively low, and the sitting posture is lower than XC40, which will bring a stronger driving experience. If you feel that the acceleration of the entry-level version is not enough, Polestar 2 has prepared an official dual-motor long-endurance version with 0-100 km/h acceleration of 4.7 seconds, total motor power of 300 kW, and total motor torque of 660 N•m, enough to gallop on the highway with abandon.The avant-garde taste and technological elements of Polestar 2 are as prominent as Tesla Model 3. Its environmental concept is also one of the benchmarks for future clean energy and technology. Combined with the fun factor, I believe this is its confidence to compete with Tesla Model 3 on parallel tracks. While pure Musk adherents naturally only want Model 3, those who love driving and life will find it hard to look away from this strongly individualized car.
What does the launch of Polestar 2 mean?
The automobile industry has gone through a century-long history, but new energy vehicles are still in their infancy. Polestar and Tesla are creating their own models for future travel and life from different dimensions. Consumers have diversified demands, and the market needs both Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, as well as other challengers and learners in the field of new energy vehicles.
Jointly replacing fuel vehicles is the trend. Tesla as a pioneer deserves respect, and Polestar 2 equally deserves respect. They have both created their own electric vehicles that match their own concepts, allowing consumers to make free choices.
For example, European consumers tend to recognize the concept and product power of Polestar 2 better. It was only in late July last year that Polestar 2 began to be delivered in the European market. In the first complete delivery month, which was August, Polestar 2’s sales surpassed Tesla Model 3 in the mature consumer market of Europe.
Of course, Tesla Model 3 has sold well, but Polestar 2 has achieved even better sales volume. In the Norwegian market, Polestar 2’s sales volume was nearly twice that of Model 3. In the Swedish market, Polestar 2’s total sales volume and delivery unit price have surpassed those of Tesla Model 3, even the debut version with a price of 50,000 euros.
In the Chinese market, Tesla Model 3 enjoys sufficient first-mover advantages in terms of sales volume. Although Polestar 2 is always compared to it, it also has its core advantages in terms of personality and experience. How to choose? European consumers have set an example in advance. If you do not like a geeky taste, you might try Polestar 2 when choosing an electric car. It is not inferior in key indicators and has outstanding personality.
Besides, compared to other brands, Polestar 2 emphasizes more on contributing to the transformation of the automobile industry and leading more and more consumers to fulfill their environmental actions through the use of electric vehicles.
They have a deeper passion and sense of mission for the future, with Mr. Thomas Ingenlath summarizing the goal as ultimately achieving zero carbon emissions.
Looking back, the understanding of Polestar 2 about products is like a car that is full of artistic temperament, has good social recognition, and also has an understanding of car performance. Of course, luxury is also one of its killer features. I prefer to see it as a luxury pure electric car with a unique soul. It can awaken your imagination of the future with temperature beyond the cold hardware indicators, and actively promote consumers who choose Polestar 2 to choose environmental protection concepts and lifestyles in electric travel.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.