Polestar bets on a ‘single-motor’ version of its fastback to attract new EV owners — shaving $6K off the price

Volvo and Geely’s EV spinoff Polestar is expanding the model range of its main vehicle, the Polestar 2.

The company is going to offer the Polestar 2 fastback in three variants. There will be three powertrain options: based on either a single or dual motor setup, and a long or standard range battery.

While offering customers more choice, the changes also help knock about €5,000 ($6,000) off the starting price of the EV.

Polestar 2 vehicles now start from €40,000 ($48,000), and can top out at around €60,000 ($71,000).

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For reasons that are probably totally obvious — please don’t be cynical — I’m going to say increasing options is a good thing.

While dual motors, long range batteries, and optional extras are nice and all, offering more budget friendly options should help make the electric car an option for more drivers.

Motors and batteries

The current P2 — the 408 hp, dual motor, long range one — now tops the list of options. It’s joined by a long range single motor model, and a standard range single motor variant.

The long range single motor variant is the sweet spot if range is your main concern. Ditching the extra motor, but keeping the big battery gives a noticeable bump to range.

This particular P2 can is now rated for up to 540 km (335 miles) of range, the original P2 topped out at 480 km (300 miles).

The standard range single motor variant features a slightly smaller 64 kWh battery pack, rather than the 78 kWh pack found in the standard range model.

Optional packs

Polestar is also offering optional extras, it is a car brand after all. But it’s keeping things generally pretty simple.

There are three packs, the performance pack, the plus pack, and the pilot pack.

The performance pack, which costs €6,000 ($7,100), is only available on the dual motor model, and brings with it adjustable Öhlins dampers, Brembo brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels, and Polestar’s signature “Swedish gold” detailing.

The plus pack adds a full length panoramic roof, premium Harman Kardon stereo, heat seats, and most importantly a new heat pump. All that costs €4,500 ($5,300).

[Read more: What’s a heat pump and why do EVs use them?]

The pilot pack, as its name suggests, brings a host of features to help the pilot (AKA the driver), and costs €3,500 ($4,200). It brings Pixel LED headlights, driver assistance with adaptive cruise control and pilot assist, all-round parking sensors, 360-degree camera, blind spot warning, cross traffic alert with brake support, and rear collision warning.

Some one-off optional extras can still be added, like metallic paint, alloy wheels, and a folding tow bar.

For full details click here.

Do EVs excite your electrons? Do ebikes get your wheels spinning? Do self-driving cars get you all charged up? 

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