[ad_1]
That meant we had to wait in Geneva to discover Volvo's first electric vehicle (parent brand). We found ourselves facing a vehicle with a design similar to that of the Polestar 1, breathtaking (yet hybrid).
This should not be too surprising given that the emphasis on design is part of Polestar's DNA. CEO Thomas Ingenlath began his career in the automotive industry as a designer. This experience gives him a unique perspective.
<img alt = "Polestar 2" data-caption = "Polestar 2" data-credit = "Engadget" data-credit-link-back = "" data-dam-provider = "Engadget" data-local-id = "local -1-2118945- 1552370603894 "data-media-id =" 7e661143-c1b9-469c-9583-3a87d4d86cea "data-original-url =" https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2019 -03 / 0dda8770- 41fb-11e9-a5b7-1bf1841fec3e "data-title =" Polestar 2 "src =" https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?resize=2000%2C2000%2Cshrink&image_uri=https%3A% 2F% 2F% 2Fs.yimg .com% 2Fos% 2Fcreatr-images-downloaded% 2F2019-03% 2F0dfa8770-41fb-11e9-a5b7-1bf1841fec3e & customer = a1acac3e1b3290917d92 & signature = 750adff43e7f631b0f7d8c10752829discover
"As a designer, you make your own decision about the design you are proposing and what you propose, and that mix of its very rational aspects, but at the same time, recognizing that certain things are motivated by emotions and it's useless to think and be brave enough to make the decision not to have absolute certainty – I think it's really a very good preparation for the work I have to do now, "Ingenlath told Engadget.
This experience has helped shape the look of the company and the Polestar 2. This is not as stylish as the Polestar 1, but it takes up the brand's design language, with a bit of legacy Volvo video added.
The front of the vehicle hits you with the Volvo Thor's hammer headlight. But Polestar is a bit more reserved when it comes to creating its own logo, the same color as the vehicle. Meanwhile, the car itself has a beefier stance than its predecessor at the front and back.
The Polestar 2 looks like a person who has grabbed it and has tightened both ends of the vehicle to give a taller and more stocky car. The only aspect of the design that seems to have suffered is the rear three-quarter view of the car. It always looks good, but you lose some of the magic of the car manufacturer's first vehicle.
<img alt = "Polestar 2" data-caption = "Polestar 2" data-credit = "Engadget" data-credit-link-back = "" data-dam-provider = "Engadget" data-local-id = "local -2-3014073- 1552370620499 "data-media-id =" 8dc8663b-4444-4bd9-b32d-e8a7f3123db3 "data-original-url =" https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2019 -03 / 0e1fe9c0- 41fb-11e9-bbb4-ba12a7cbdd77 "data-title =" Polestar 2 "src =" https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?resize=2000%2C2000%2Cshrink&image_uri=https%3A% 2F% 2F% 2Fs.yimg .com% 2Fos% 2Fcreatr-the-images-sent% 2F2019-03% 2F0e1fe9c0-41fb-11e9-bbb4-ba12a7cbdd77 & customer = a1acac3e1b3290917d92 & signature = 4195d32ffe57dbc1abe
The interior, with its large touch screen mounted vertically in the dashboard, resembles that of Tesla, but apart from fewer buttons and controls than those one would find on a Volvo, its minimalist design does not seem as rare as the outside exit. from Fremont. The steering wheel and the volume knob are borrowed directly from Volvo, which is a good thing. Plus, (hopefully) the gear selector is a lever instead of a series of buttons.
Wherever you look, Polestar's advantage of having Volvo as its parent company becomes clear: its influence is ubiquitous. From the lighthouses on the inside, it's clear how closely the sub-brand depends on its parent company in the car – but it's more than just stylized headlamps and ruffles that help Polestar.
The builder benefits from the financial advantages of an established manufacturer with access to the plants, capital and technology Volvo has been working on for decades. "It's super beneficial and they will allow us to succeed in the new business," Ingenlath said. "But of course, this comes with something else, we have other problems, we need to be very careful in monitoring this balance between an agile and fast start – up mindset and the fact that we are in the business. be linked to this industrial system that helps us develop all of this. " . "
Even with all the Volvo resources at its disposal, Polestar is happy to work with other partners. Even those who are not traditionally in the world of the automobile.
The Polestar 2 is the first production vehicle to use Google's Android platform for its infotainment system. Unlike Android Auto (which requires a smartphone), the car's Android platform is a native system. It offers immediate access to Google's suite of services. Ingenlath recognizes that an increasingly important element is gaining importance in the automotive world: voice control. The CEO said this feature would reduce distracted driving. "It's up to us to recognize where our borders are, and of course we will never compete with the Google system that employs so many people who power the system – we need to learn and improve day by day. should benefit from this pace and showcase it. " in our car. "
<img alt = "Polestar 2" data-caption = "Polestar 2" data-credit = "Engadget" data-credit-link-back = "" data-dam-provider = "Engadget" data-local-id = "local -3-6108018- 1552370638891 "data-media-id =" ae6671be-ad12-42c9-8d00-f1337f4d8241 "data-original-url =" https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2019 -03 / 0e2010d0- 41fb-11e9-9ed7-0d517914cd37 "data-title =" Polestar 2 "src =" https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?resize=2000%2C2000%2Cshrink&image_uri=https%3A% 2F% 2F% 2Fs.yimg .com% 2Fos% 2Fcreatr-Upload-Images% 2F2019-03% 2F0e2010d0-41fb-11e9-9ed7-0d517914cd37 & customer = a1acac3e1b3290917d92 & signature = 5aee594ce20c024d09fdaaf9476d
Thus, the Polestar 2 is packed with technology, has an impressive 275 km expected range, uses twin engines producing 408 horsepower and 487 foot-pounds of torque, and can go from zero to 60 in about 4.7 seconds. This is directly opposed to Model 3. The $ 40,000 price from Polestar helps cement this comparison. But Tesla still has the advantage: its affordable EV is available now, but it will be necessary to wait for the Polestar 2.
Production is expected to begin in early 2020, and while this is only increasing, the "introductory version" will cost $ 63,000 for the first 12 months. Many things can happen in almost two years for the $ 40,000 version of the Polestar 2 to hit the road. The electric vehicle market is heating up and more and more options are appearing all the time.
But none of the electric cars at this price range looks as good as the Polestar 2. It turns out that hiring a designer to run the company has its benefits. But more importantly, having a CEO willing to build strategic partnerships could make all the difference between a failed manufacturer with beautiful cars and a successful brand ready to tackle the world's largest manufacturer of electric cars.
Follow all the latest news from the 2019 Geneva Auto Show here!
Source link
