Polestar stated Tuesday it is going to flip its O2 idea into its subsequent halo automotive, which is more likely to be aimed on the Porsche 911.

The 650-kilowatt (872-hp), $200,000 (196,635 euro) full-electric roadster, which will likely be known as the Polestar 6, would be the automaker’s strongest and costliest mannequin when it arrives in 2026.

The model’s strongest and costly mannequin now could be the Polestar 1, which affords greater than 600 hp and begins at 155,000 euros. In the meantime, the Polestar 3 premium giant SUV, which is able to debut in October, is anticipated to begin at 75,000 euros.

Polestar will construct the hardtop convertible alongside the Polestar 5 electrical luxurious sedan in Chongqing, China.

The plant is owned by Geely Holding however operated by Polestar, which was co-founded by Volvo Automobiles and Geely in 2017.

The vehicles will share Polestar’s new light-weight bonded-aluminum platform and an 800-volt electrical structure that along with offering practically 900 hp of energy will supply 900 newton meters of torque, 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) acceleration in 3.2 seconds, a high pace of 250 kph (155 mph) and an estimated vary of greater than 480 km (300 miles).

Polestar previewed what to anticipate from the Polestar 5, which is due in 2024, on the Goodwood Pageant of Velocity in England in June.

The four-door GT will likely be aimed on the Porsche Taycan, Tesla Mannequin S in addition to EVs from Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Lucid.

Just like the Polestar 6, the Polestar 5 began as an idea, known as the Principle, that developed into the model’s future flagship grand tourer.

Porsche costs

Polestar presently aligns its estimated beginning costs with Porsche fashions. As an example, the Polestar 3’s 75,000-euro base worth is according to the Porsche Cayenne, which begins at about 83,000 euros in Germany.

The Polestar 4 and Polestar 5, for which no official costs have been given, will align with the Porsche Macan and Porsche Panamera, which begin at about 66,000 euros and 98,000 euros, respectively, in Germany.

The present 911 Turbo Cabriolet begins in about 212,000 euros in Porsche’s dwelling market.

Area of interest inside a distinct segment

The one battery-powered open-top mannequin bought in Europe now could be the Good ForTwo Cabriolet, which had a quantity of lower than 7,100 final 12 months, based on market analysis Dataforce.

The premium convertible section, the place the Polestar 6 would compete, is led by the Mini, BMW 4 Sequence and 911 whereas within the U.S. the area of interest’s top-sellers are the Chevrolet Corvette and 911.

Between 2004 and 2021, the Europe’s total convertible market declined from 397,480 to 117,753, based on Dataforce.

“Even the Ford Mustang and Jaguar F-Sort are struggling to achieve 1,000 new registrations a 12 months in Europe,” Dataforce Senior Automotive Analyst Benjamin Kibies informed Automotive Information Europe. “However a sporty electrical convertible can be the primary of its form and positively entice consideration for the model.”

Ed Kim, who’s president of U.S.-based automotive analysis and consulting agency AutoPacific, agrees.

“As a six-figure electrical sports activities automotive, the Polestar 6 is not going to be a high-volume product, however it is going to shine a highlight onto the Polestar model,” AutoPacific President Ed Kim stated. “With its portfolio of quantity merchandise fleshed out, it is acceptable for the model to consider model extension merchandise that may encourage customers who hadn’t but thought of a Polestar to take discover.”

‘Overwhelming’ response

Polestar determined to make the Polestar 6 due to “the overwhelming client and press response” for the automotive, Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath stated in a launch.  

To capitalize on that momentum, Polestar stated it is going to begin taking orders for the primary 500 models of the hardtop convertible as we speak. The fee to order a so-called “construct slot” for automotive is $25,000, which is refundable.

These numbered models will likely be a part of the Polestar 6 LA Idea version, which is able to carry over the sky blue exterior, gentle leather-based inside and 21-inch wheels from the Polestar O2 idea, which the automaker debuted on the rooftop of a Beverley Hills workplace constructing in March.

At that occasion, Polestar design boss Maximilian Missoni hinted the O2 was destined to be greater than a present automotive.
It’s “not so far-off from actuality,” Missoni informed Automotive Information Europe sister publication Automotive Information on the time.

The O2 sits low and vast and options quick entrance and rear overhangs, a compact 2+2 cabin design and an extended wheelbase.

Aerodynamics are maximized by way of disguised design options, reminiscent of built-in ducts that enhance airflow over the wheels and physique sides and taillights that operate as air blades to cut back turbulence behind the automotive.

Missoni described the O2 as a “assembly level between expertise and artwork, between precision and sculpture.”
“It is an incredible piece of design, however I might drive it tomorrow,” he added.

The brand new halo automotive’s manufacturing affirmation additionally comes days forward of the model’s attendance later this week on the Pebble Seaside Concours d’Class, the place the O2 idea will likely be featured. Polestar’s final go to to Pebble Seaside coincided with one other key second within the 5-year-old model’s historical past (see field, proper).

It has been an eventful 12 months for the automaker, which regardless of critically provide setbacks practically bought as many vehicles within the first half because it did in all of 2021.

In June, Polestar joined the Nasdaq in an $890 million deal.

In April, the corporate stated rental automotive agency Hertz International Holdings would purchase as much as 65,000 EVs from over 5 years in a deal that sources estimate is price $3 billion.

Urvaksh Karkaria contributed to this report