Polestar 2 Business Edition Review | The Best EV Under €40k in Ireland?
Read Caroline’s Polestar 2 Business Edition review for everything you need to know about buying Polestar’s stylish electric car in Ireland.
Polestar made its Irish debut back in 2022 and the first model to market here was the Polestar 2, a Tesla Model 3 rivalling electric car. Since then the brand has expanded its line up to include the Polestar 3, Polestar 4 and soon-to-arrive Polestar 5.
The Polestar 2 has also had a number of improvements to design, battery, charging and range that keep it competitive against a growing backdrop of rivals like the Tesla Model 3 and the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
In this review I take a closer look at the Polestar 2 Business Edition, which is the entry into the range in Ireland, priced at €39,897. It uses a standard range battery and offers up to 554 kilometres of range (WLTP).
Polestar 2 Business Edition Design
The Polestar 2 has been facelifted in the four years it’s been on sale in Ireland. Most of the visual updates appear at the front with a new panel dubbed the 'SmartZone' giving a sleek, modern look in line with the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4. This update is also functional, hiding the camera and radar for driver assistance features.
Even in the entry-level for Ireland - the so-called 'Business Edition' - the Polestar 2 looks pleasingly premium. The understated design stands out from other electric car rivals like the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal.
At the back, a stylish light bar gives a distinct look. Standard features include 19-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels and LED headlights. The clever design also includes a front storage compartment for charging cables.
Vapour grey seen here is the standard colour so is included in the price, though you can upgrade to a different paint finish.
Polestar 2 Business Edition Interior
The Polestar 2 manages to feel markedly different to its rivals inside as well. The simple, minimalist design has aged well, but the design of the centre console makes the cabin feel more cramped than rivals like the Model 3 that feature more open space between driver and passenger.
The material quality is good inside, with a distinct Scandi-cool vibe. However, the fabric seats in the Business Edition don't feel quite as premium as the leather finishes in upgraded models. Still it's a small compromise in what is a well-priced car and the seats are still comfortable and supportive for long journeys.
The portrait-style touchscreen won't overpower you with menus and functionality, but it is elegant in its simplicity. It also comes with in-built Google, which makes journey planning in an EV very simple.
Other standard features include heated front seats with power adjustment for the seat base and a memory feature. There's no glass roof but the Polestar 2 Business Edition doesn't suffer from this omission.
Practicality
One advantage the Polestar 2 has over its rivals is its hatchback-style opening boot, which makes access to its 407 litres much easier. It also has deep underfloor storage, shopping bag hooks, 12-volt socket and a powered tailgate.
Rear passenger space is adequate, though some competitors offer a little more room. The large transmission tunnel means the middle seat will be less comfortable for a third passenger. However there are Isofix child seat fixtures on the two outer seats and as a bonus, on the front passenger seat too.
Driving the Polestar 2 Business Edition
The 2024 update introduced a new rear wheel drive layout for single motor versions, which improved range and efficiency. The 2026 Polestar 2 Business Edition uses the standard range 70kWh battery (67kWh usable) with up to 554 kilometres (WLTP) range, which compares well with the entry-level, rear wheel drive version of the Model 3.
The rear wheel drive layout has definitely improved efficiency over earlier models. Real world range was between 430-450 kilometres during my time with the car, which felt like enough. If you are nervous about range, stepping up to the long range battery will get you up to 659 kilometres (WLTP).
On the road the Polestar 2 delivers a refined and premium driving experience. Given Polestar's performance positioning, it does ride firmly but the setup never feels overly harsh and there's loads of grip making it enjoyable to drive through bends. A single motor powers the rear wheels for a total power output of 272hp in the Business Edition. It's the 'slowest' of the range but can still sprint 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds. It doesn't feel quite as nimble off the line as a Model 3, but still delivers smooth performance.
Buyers looking for stronger performance can opt for one of the dual motor versions, which offer significantly quicker acceleration. But for most it won't be worth the extra spend.
Charging
11kW charging is included as standard, while up to 180kW DC fast charging means a 10-80% charge in 26 minutes for the standard range battery.
Polestar 2 Business Edition Pricing
The Polestar 2 Business Edition is priced at €39,897 in Ireland, marking the entry point into the range.
Polestar 2 Business Edition Pros/Cons
Pros
- Upmarket cabin
- Classy design
- Refined driving experience
- Efficiency
- Fast charging speeds
Cons
- Passenger space trails rivals
- Firmish ride quality
- Fabric seats feel a bit cheap
Verdict
With more electric cars on the market than ever before, buyers with a €40,000 budget now have plenty of choice. The Polestar 2 Business Edition makes some compromises to range and equipment levels but still manages to shine for its clean Scandinavian design.
It feels more upmarket than many similarly priced electric cars and is good to drive too. In real world driving, the rear wheel drive layout gives it a pleasant efficiency boost that makes it an easy car to live with.
While rear passenger space and ride comfort trail some rivals, it remains a stylish and well-rounded electric hatchback that’s easy to live with.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Polestar 5 makes its Irish debut in Dublin
Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, has officially unveiled the Polestar 5 four-door, performance Grand Tourer at an event in Polestar Dublin.
It's the latest model to join the Polestar line-up in Ireland, which already includes the Polestar 2, Polestar 3 and Polestar 4.
Based on the brand's Precept concept first shown in 2020, the Polestar 5 is a flagship model with supercar performance, a luxurious interior and sporty 4+1 seating.
In Ireland the range kicks off at €130,700 for the Polestar 5 Dual Motor Launch Edition, while the Performance Launch Edition is available from €145,700.
The latter boasts incredible performance including over 1000Nm of torque, 884hp and 0-100km/h in just 3.2 seconds.
Range estimates are up to 678 kilometres, while the Polestar 5 also features ultra-fast 800 volt charging.
First customer deliveries will start in July.
Jordan Killen, Polestar Ireland Brand Director, said:
“We are delighted to preview Polestar 5 ahead of its launch in Ireland. This is the purest Polestar yet and completes the current line-up.
We look forward to welcoming customers and guests to Polestar Dublin in Sandyford this week (24th-26th February) to discover the complete Polestar range.”
Polestar entered the Irish market in 2022 and operates from a state-of-the-art showroom (Polestar Dublin) in Sandyford, Dublin. The brand had its busiest January ever in 2026, with registrations up over 70%.
Polestar Ireland is celebrating 1000 new Polestars on Irish roads since its launch here.
By 2028, Polestar plans to bring four new models to the market including the Polestar 5 this summer, a new version of the Polestar 4 later this year, an all-new Polestar 2 in early 2027 and the Polestar 7 compact premium SUV in 2028.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Polestar 4 Review
Read Caroline's Polestar 4 review for everything you need to know about Polestar's latest model to go on sale in Ireland.
Polestar has been building its presence in Ireland since it first arrived here in 2022. While the brand's first model to launch was the Polestar 2, the line-up has since expanded with the arrival of Polestar 3 and Polestar 4.
The Polestar 4 is an electric, five-door SUV coupé with an unusual design that makes it one of the most interesting cars to go on sale here in quite a while. It goes up against premium rivals like the BMW i5, Mercedes-Benz EQE, Audi Q6 e-tron and the Porsche Macan. And does it in considerable style.
Let's take a closer look.
Polestar 4 Range and Pricing in Ireland
The good news for Irish buyers is that the Polestar 4 range has recently expanded. There's a new Business Edition, which starts from €56,490. That model comes with a long-range, single motor setup offering up to 620 kilometres of range (WLTP) and 272hp to the rear wheels. And while it’s the ‘entry’ model, standard kit includes metallic paint, 20-inch alloys, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera and heated seats, so it's far from basic.
In the middle, there's a €68,390 version – single motor again, using the same long-range battery. But with more luxury features like a Harman Kardon sound system, pixel LED lighting, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel and much more.
My test car was the top-spec Long Range Dual Motor (AWD), with 544hp, 0–100km/h in just 3.8 seconds, and a range of up to 590 kilometres. Priced from €78,390, it's the fastest production Polestar yet.
Polestar 4 Design
There’s no mistaking the Polestar 4, especially finished in beautiful Gold with all the enhancements of the Performance Pack: 22-inch alloy wheels, Brembo brakes with 'Swedish Gold' calipers, Pirelli P Zero tyres and a Polestar-engineered chassis. While the Polestar 2 has kept something of the angular Volvo DNA from its Geely stablemate, the Polestar 4's unique styling shows a brand now in its stride when it comes to creating individual designs that will stand out against other premium brands too.
One of the most talked-about features? There's no rear windscreen. Instead a camera view is fed to a digital rear view mirror inside the car. It gives the Polestar an incredibly unique and intriguing design. Futuristic yet surprisingly functional too.
Polestar 4 Interior
Inside the Polestar 4 has a well-made cabin that feels luxurious despite its minimalist design. The Performance Pack adds yellow seat belts, which make it feel a little more sporty and special. There's a gorgeous leather-wrapped steering wheel, digital driver display and a large touchscreen in the centre that controls most of the car's features. That includes things like the side mirror and steering wheel adjustment, the vehicle settings, as well as climate control, Polestar's unique solar system ambient lighting, maps, media and more.
It uses a Google operating system so there's in-built Google Maps and Google Assistant that work very well. There's also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. While overall it's slick, some may miss physical controls. You’ll either love the minimalist, screen-heavy setup or wish for more tactile buttons.
With no rear window, the Polestar 4 uses a high-definition camera to feed a live video image to the rear-view mirror. It works surprisingly well. If it gets tiring, you can switch it off but for safety reasons, you'll probably want to have it active.
Practicality
Without a rear window, the back of the Polestar 4 offers a cocooned, VIP-like feel. If you like privacy, this might be the car for you! The materials and finish continue the premium feel. There’s plenty of legroom, making it genuinely limousine-like and you can also recline the seats. There are Isofix points on the outer seats.
The boot offers 526 litres of space (including underfloor storage), with a powered tailgate as standard. It’s wide and practical, but the load area is relatively shallow compared to that of a more boxy SUV – something to consider for family buyers. There's also a small front storage compartment, handy for charging cables.
Driving the Polestar 4
With 544hp, the top of the range dual motor Polestar 4 is genuinely fast – not just for an EV, but for any car. 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds is staggering. It's fun to drive but reassuringly grippy and always feels incredibly composed on Irish roads. It's definitely not a hooligan but it can be surprisingly playful and agile when the roads get more interesting.
Sitting on updated suspension with adaptive dampers, the dual motor has an excellent ride quality. It's very refined with a supremely quiet cabin, which makes it an ideal motorway cruiser.
How much range does it have?
Polestar quotes up to 590 kilometres (WLTP), which is just about 30 kilometres less than the single motor versions. The dual motor set-up does impact efficiency and while testing during the summer months, my average consumption was 21.6 kWh per 100 kilometres. This translates to a real world range of about 435 kilometres from its 94kWh usable capacity battery.
Charging
The Polestar 4 supports up to 200kW DC fast charging, allowing a 10–80% charge in about 30 minutes. On AC, you get 11kW standard on the Business Edition, 22kW on all other versions. A heat pump is standard for more efficient heating of the cabin in cold weather, along with battery preconditioning for faster charging.
How much is the Polestar 4 in Ireland?
Business Edition (RWD, 620km): From €56,490
Long Range Single Motor Plus (RWD, 620km) : From €68,390
Long Range Dual Motor Plus (AWD, 590km): From €78,390
Verdict
The Polestar 4 is one of the most striking new electric cars to arrive in Ireland and utterly lovable too. The design and attention to detail might just take your breath away, but for keen drivers, the Polestar has a lot of power and poise to keep your interest. Sitting firmly in the premium end of the market, it feels properly luxurious inside, though the vibes are more executive than family car.
Its innovative styling and the reliance on the central touchscreen won’t suit everyone. But as an alternative to the likes of the BMW i4/i5, Audi Q6 e-tron, or Porsche Macan Electric, the Polestar 4 makes a compelling case for itself. And is surprisingly playful too.
Polestar is here to stay in Ireland with the opening of a seven-car showroom imminently in Dublin, and with the 4, it's made its strongest statement yet.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Polestar 2 Review
Read Caroline's Polestar 2 review for everything you need to know about buying the new electric car from Polestar in Ireland.
Polestar is one of Ireland's newest car brands, which launched here earlier in 2022. The first car to market here is of course the Polestar 2, a Tesla Model 3 rivalling premium electric car.
Since July, the brand has already registered over 100 new cars here, but expect that to rise quickly with the opening of their first retail location in Ireland in Sandyford, Dublin. Called 'Polestar Space', it's where prospective buyers can view the car and take it for a test drive before starting the online process of buying the car.
The new Polestar 2 goes on sale in Ireland priced from €51,135 after the SEAI grant is applied. There's a choice of standard range and long range batteries, and single and dual motor versions.
What's so special about the Polestar 2?
Polestar was established as a new, standalone Swedish premium electric vehicle manufacturer in 2017. Founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding, Polestar cars share technology and engineering with Volvo Cars.
That's good provenance but the most striking thing about the Polestar 2 is surely its design. For the brand's first mass production electric car, Polestar has created a stylish sedan-style vehicle but with some of the more fashionable design cues of this era - without turning it into an SUV.
The Polestar's compact proportions give it grace and elegance, while the raised ride height and more rugged styling features like cladding around the wheel arches and sills give it more presence than your average hatchback. There's a tasteful palette of neutral shades to go with it.
The Volvo family DNA is indeed evident in the design - see those confident lines and upright front grille and rear - but with the prestigious stamp of the new Polestar brand.
Polestar is cool, no doubts. Their enigmatic logo appears in various places around the outside and inside of the car. At the back a full width light bar gives the car its own characteristic style.
19-inch wheels, signature LED light designs front and rear and frameless mirrors make all variants largely indistinguishable from each other.
All in all, it's a cool Scandi alternative to the likes of the Tesla Model 3, BMW i4, Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Inside the Polestar 2
For anyone familiar with the latest Volvos, the interior of the new Polestar 2 will feel quite familiar. But the design of the Polestar 2 means it feels sportier behind the wheel. The cabin is cosy with quite a high centre console, which enhances the sporty vibe. It feels well made with some nice sustainable materials used also.
The steering wheel bears the Polestar emblem, which also appears in what we think might be the world's most beautiful gear selector! There's a full digital driver display and portrait style touchscreen that's also used in the latest generation Volvo cars. The touchscreen uses a Google operating system - it was the first car in the world to do so. It's a very nice system to use with in-built Google maps and services.
Other standard features include a premium stereo with 8 speakers, front- and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. There are a number of packs that add more equipment.
The Polestar 2 will seat five but it's fair to say that two will be most comfortable in the back. There is a prominent centre tunnel, which gives the car the feel of an elite sports sedan, but eats into legroom. A Tesla Model 3 feels a bit more spacious inside - but not by much.
The boot is a practical hatchback-style opening and offers 405 litres, which is on par with a lot of family hatchbacks and small SUVs. There’s a handy divider that is easy to slide up from the boot floor to separate items. A powered tailgate comes as standard.
Polestar has also include a 41 litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet, which is handy for storing the charging cables.
Driving the Polestar 2
The new Polestar 2 is based on Volvo Car Group’s adaptable Compact Modular Architecture platform (CMA), which is also used by the Volvo XC40 and Volvo C40. It shares the same batteries - 69kWh or 78kWh. The best for range is the single motor version with the 78kWh long range battery, with up to 551 kilometres (WLTP) possible (from €56,135).
On test was the Polestar 2 with 78kWh, long range battery and dual motors. It is the most expensive of the range (from €63,850), but offers the best performance of the range with a whopping 408hp and the 0-100 kmh sprint completed in just 4.7 seconds. The projected range is up to 487 kilometres (WLTP).
But the performance of single motor versions is hardly shabby with both offering 231hp and the 0-100 kmh sprint in 7.4 seconds.
The Polestar 2 feels neat and agile on the road, offering a high-end driving experience behind the wheel. It cruises effortlessly at high speeds on the motorway. The ride is good on these smooth road surfaces, though it can feel a bit firm over any bumps or imperfections in the road surface.
All the controls are nicely weighted so it feels natural to drive. One pedal driving is possible, which means the car will gently come to a stop when you lift off the accelerator without having to touch the brake.
You can also adjust the steering feel but it's not quite as entertaining to drive as a BMW i4 or as outright 'fast' as a Tesla Model 3. Still, it's a balanced drive that leaves little to complain about.
Polestar 2 comes equipped with an 11 kW onboard charger, which gives more flexibility in AC charging. DC fast charging is available up to 150 kW, for an 80% charge in 35 minutes. It will take about 11 hours to charge the Polestar 2 at 7 kW from a wallbox installed at home for example.
Did you like it?
The Polestar 2 is one of the most anticipated new cars of 2022 and it doesn't disappoint. It's a very welcome addition to the market, offering a slick design and clever cabin, long range and fast charging. That makes it impossible to ignore for buyers looking for one of the best electric cars on sale at the moment.
Some are a bit more spacious or a bit more fun to drive, but the Polestar is a brand you buy into because you like they way they design cars and how they sell them too.
Single motor versions look like the best value and provide adequate performance, though of course dual motor acceleration is fun! But it's the sophistication of this car's cruising ability and cabin refinement that make it a stylish and capable executive car.
If you sit in and love the cabin of this car, that's probably enough already.
Welcome Polestar!
Model tested: Polestar 2 long range, dual motor
Price: €63,850
Battery: 78 kWh
Range: 487 km (WLTP)
Power: 408hp
Torque: 660Nm
Top speed: 205 km/h
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 4.7 seconds
Motor Tax: €120 per year
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Polestar 2 Review (2022)
Read Caroline’s Polestar 2 review for everything you need to know about the brand's new premium electric car in Ireland.
Polestar is the latest brand to enter the Irish new car market. Their first car to market here is the Polestar 2. I went to the Irish press launch in Dublin to find out more about the brand's new electric car and drive it for the first time.
The new Polestar 2 goes on sale in Ireland priced from €49,500, including the grant from the SEAI. It will be available in three variants: dual- and single-motor powertrains with long- and standard-range battery options.
Polestar was established as a new, standalone Swedish premium electric vehicle manufacturer in 2017. Founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding, Polestar cars share technology and engineering with Volvo Cars.
The new Polestar 2 will be available to order online soon and the first customer cars are expected to arrive in Ireland in June.
Styling
The Polestar 2 is pitched as an 'electric performance fastback'. It has the practicality of a hatchback combined with the elevated ride height and attitude of a crossover. The design is solid and minimalist. The enigmatic Polestar emblem will not be immediately recognisable on Irish roads for some time. This new model from Polestar will enter a competitive segment populated already by such cars as the Tesla Model 3, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, BMW i4, Kia EV6 and the Hyundai IONIQ 5. Polestar 2 is new and interesting enough to command attention in this company with its elegant and refined good looks - without being a show off. A subtle colour palette fits perfectly to that end. 19-inch wheels, signature LED light designs front and rear, and Polestar’s signature frameless mirrors, make all variants largely indistinguishable from eachother.
Interior
Inside, the Polestar 2 delivers on the car's premium billing. It's a cool, minimalist design but with plenty of soft touch materials and just enough apparel to give it personality and atmosphere. From the driver's seat, the high centre console offers a snug and sporty feel from behind the wheel. The centre console itself remains uncluttered with the most striking feature being a beautifully designed drive selector with the Polestar emblem. Built in China, the material quality is just beautiful throughout giving the car the premium finish customers deserve at this price point.
The driver gets a full digital instrument cluster, while an 11" portrait style touchscreen controls takes centre stage. It's easy to use and switch between menus. The Polestar 2 was the first car in the world to feature Google built-in through the car’s Android Automotive OS infotainment system – including the Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store. It responds to voice commands with high accuracy and is a delight to use.
Practicality
The Polestar 2 has five doors and seating for five with a hatchback-style opening boot. In the rear there is a prominent centre tunnel, which gives the car the feel of an elite sports sedan. But it means that two people will be most comfortable back there. Still they get large footwells and a central armrest. Headroom is okay, even with a panoramic glass roof fitted.
The boot opens like a hatchback to reveal 405 litres, giving decent volume and access. There's a handy divider that is easy to slide up from the boot floor to separate items. A powered tailgate comes as standard. Under the bonnet there is a 41 litre 'frunk' for storing charging cables for example.
Battery, Power and Range
In Ireland, the Polestar 2 model range will include three versions, offering a mix of performance and range.
The Standard range, single motor version is front wheel drive and features a 231 hp / 330 Nm electric motor and a 69 kWh battery pack, giving a WLTP range of up to 474 km. This model is priced at €49,500.
The Long range, single motor version is front wheel drive and increases battery size to 78 kWh, with a corresponding jump in WLTP range of up to 542 km. This model is priced from €53,245, where the SEAI grant applies.
The Long range, dual motor variant is all wheel drive and has the best performance of the range. It has two electric motors and the same 78 kWh battery, with a total power output of 408 hp and 660 Nm, and 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. The WLTP range is up to 482 km. This model is priced at €61,900.
Charging
Polestar 2 comes equipped with an 11 kW onboard charger, which gives more flexibility in AC charging. DC fast charging is available up to 150 kW, for an 80% charge in 35 minutes. It will take about 11 hours to charge the Polestar 2 at 7 kW from a wallbox installed at home for example.
On the road
The new Polestar 2 is based on Volvo Car Group’s adaptable Compact Modular Architecture platform (CMA), which is also used by the Volvo XC40. The battery pack is integrated into the floor and contributes to the rigidity of the chassis as well as improves the car’s noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels. The brand says road noise has been reduced by 3.7 dB compared to a traditional chassis.
The Polestar 2 moves over the tarmac effortlessly, with a well-judged ride and a modulated throttle pedal giving a superb natural feeling to this car. Refinement is good on the move with very little noise from the electric motor entering the cabin. It's easy to drive the car smoothly, as intended. One pedal driving is possible, which means the car will gently come to a stop when you lift off the accelerator without having to touch the brake. You can also adjust the steering feel. It handles country roads very well, behaving in an agile and predictable way.
I was driving the Polestar 2 Long Range, single motor version. This model is front wheel drive. On sitting into the car, the range on the dashboard indicated 440 km at 100% charge of the 78 kWh battery. With 231 hp, it feels lively on the road when you want it, with 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.4 seconds.
Equipment
Standard equipment is generous including 19" alloys, 11" touchscreen, 12.3 digital instrument cluster, premium stereo with 8 speakers, front- and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.
There are three optional packages – Pilot, Plus and Performance - adding more equipment.
The Pilot Pack includes enhanced safety and driver assistance features, such as Pixel LED headlights, LED front fog lights, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pilot Assist, a 360-degree surround view camera, all-round parking sensors, Blind Spot Information System with steering support, Cross Traffic Alert with brake support, and Rear Collision Warning.
The Plus Pack adds a full-length panoramic glass roof, premium Harman Kardon audio system with 13 speakers, WeaveTech upholstery, Black Ash deco panels, fully-electric heated front seats with memory, heated rear seats, steering wheel and wiper blades, and a new heat pump.
The Performance Pack is available for the Long range, dual motor model only and adds manually adjustable Öhlins Dual Flow Valve dampers, 4-piston Brembo brakes, forged alloy wheels and Polestar’s signature gold detailing inside and out.
Other options include ventilated Nappa leather upholstery, metallic paint, 20-inch alloy wheels and a semi-electric folding tow bar.
Anything else?
Buying a Polestar car is a slightly different model to going to the traditional dealership. The cars are purchased online through a 100% digital process.
But there will be a Polestar retail store 'Polestar Destination' opening in Sandyford, Dublin, later in 2022. The idea is to allow consumers to interact physically with the brand, meeting with Polestar Specialists to explore the car in more detail, including test drives.
In terms of servicing, this can place in the workshops of the already well-established Volvo dealer network around Ireland.
Consumer test drives will start with a four week roadshow in Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork and Galway, from 9th May.
Summary
The Polestar 2 arrives in Ireland and should cause a stir in a market that has never been so receptive to electric vehicles - and premium ones at that.
The brand has plans to launch more models, including new SUVs which will no doubt broaden the brand's appeal even more.
This is a mighty fine car on first impressions that delivers a long range, wonderful cabin and premium driving experience.
The brand may be a mysterious presence on Irish roads for a while as it gains momentum here, but there is something reassuringly familiar and conventional about this car too that really appeals.
The Polestar 2 will soon be available to order here from the Polestar Ireland website.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes
Polestar 2 Arrives In Ireland!
Polestar, the Swedish premium electric performance brand, has arrived in Ireland. The brand's first model to officially go on sale here is the new Polestar 2. Styled as an electric performance fastback, pricing for the new Polestar 2 will start from €54,500 in Ireland.
Polestar 2 is said to bring avant-garde design and a unique ownership experience to the premium compact electric segment. First launched internationally in 2020, it was the first car in the world to feature Google built-in through the car's Android Automotive OS infotainment system – including the Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store. An 11-inch touch screen display brings the new interface to life, with natural voice control.
Polestar 2 battery and range
In Ireland, the Polestar 2 model range will include three versions, offering a mix of performance and range.
The Standard range Single motor version will feature a 231 hp / 330 Nm electric motor and a 69 kWh battery pack good for a WLTP range of up to 474 km.
The Long range Single motor will increase battery size to 78 kWh with a corresponding jump in its WLTP range of up to 542 km.
he Long range Dual motor variant has two electric motors and the same 78 kWh battery, with a total output of 408 hp and 660 Nm, with a WLTP range of up to 482 km.
Buying Polestar in Ireland
Polestar cars are purchased online through a simplified, 100% digital process, which is complemented by physical retail locations known around the world as Polestar Spaces and Polestar Destinations.
These bespoke retail environments allow consumers to interact physically with the brand, meeting with Polestar Specialists to explore the car in more detail, including test drives.
The first Polestar Destination in Ireland is planned to open to the public in Dublin later in 2022.
In the meantime, the Polestar 2 will soon be available to order here from the Polestar Ireland website.
Consumer test drives will start with a four week roadshow in Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork and Galway, from 9th May.
Kieran Campbell, Market Lead for Polestar Ireland, said:
“It’s clear there’s huge appetite for new premium electric cars here in Ireland, so the arrival of Polestar couldn’t be better-timed. With its avant-garde styling, advanced technology and impressive sustainability credentials, Polestar 2 is the perfect car for Ireland’s transition to electric vehicles.”
Jonathan Goodman, Polestar’s Head of Global Communications and Polestar UK, said:
“We’re excited to bring Polestar to Ireland. As we continue our rapid and global roll out of the Polestar brand, Ireland was the logical next step in our plans. We’re proud to offer an exciting and advanced EV in the premium segment here.
Anything else?
Polestar was established as a new, standalone Swedish premium electric vehicle manufacturer in 2017. Founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding, Polestar cars share technology and engineering with Volvo Cars.
The Polestar 2 electric performance fastback is the company’s first fully electric, high volume car. The Polestar 1 was built between 2019 and 2021 as a low-volume electric performance hybrid GT with a carbon fibre body, 609 hp, 1,000 Nm and an electric-only range of 124 km (WLTP) – the longest of any hybrid car in the world.
Polestar is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. The brand's cars are currently available in markets across Europe, North America, China and Asia Pacific. They are currently manufactured in two facilities in China, with additional future manufacturing planned in the USA.
From 2022, Polestar plans to launch one new electric vehicle per year, starting with Polestar 3 – the company’s first electric performance SUV.
Polestar 4 is expected to follow in 2023, a smaller electric performance SUV coupe.
In 2024, the Polestar 5 electric performance 4-door GT is planned to be launched as the production evolution of Polestar Precept – the manifesto concept car that Polestar released in 2020 that showcases the brand’s future vision in terms of design, technology, and sustainability.
