Polestar, a leading electric car manufacturer, made a series of significant announcements at its inaugural Polestar Day event in Los Angeles, California on Thursday. Among these was the unveiling of the highly anticipated Polestar 5 electric sedan in production guise.
The Polestar 5 is the production model of the 2020 Precept concept car and is set to make its formal debut in 2024. It is expected to hit U.S. showrooms as a 2026 model. The car was exhibited alongside the 2024 Polestar 3 mid-size SUV, the 2025 Polestar 4 compact crossover, and a concept of the upcoming Polestar 6 roadster. Additionally, the event showcased the recently revealed Synergy supercar concept, which was a life-size model of the leading design from a recent design competition.
The design of the Polestar 5 closely mirrors the Precept concept, with some notable differences such as the replacement of coach-style rear doors with conventional ones, and the shift from stalk-mounted cameras to traditional side mirrors.
One of the standout aspects of the Polestar 5 is that it is the first model to be based on an in-house developed platform. This platform utilizes a bonded aluminum design that offers exceptional torsional rigidity, surpassing even some two-door sports cars and supercars. This is crucial as Polestar positions itself as a major competitor to Porsche.
While specific technical specifications were not unveiled at the event, Polestar has previously indicated a target of 884 horsepower from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain. Additionally, the brand has confirmed the inclusion of an 800-volt electrical architecture, facilitating high-speed charging. The company is also testing StoreDot battery cells in the Polestar 5 prototypes, which promise to deliver 100 miles of range from just five minutes of charging.
Another important announcement during the event was Polestar’s plans to adopt Tesla’s proprietary charging connector, known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS). Starting in 2025, Polestar vehicles delivered in North America will come standard with the NACS connector.
In addition to the Polestar 5, the company revealed that it plans to manufacture the Polestar 4 compact crossover in South Korea, allowing the vehicles to be imported into the U.S. without incurring tariffs, thanks to a free trade agreement between the U.S. and South Korea.
Furthermore, Polestar also disclosed that the 4 compact crossover will feature Luminar lidar technology for automated driver-assist features, with a vision of incorporating Mobileye’s Chauffeur eyes-off driver-assist feature when it becomes available.
In parallel with these revelations, Polestar indicated its exploration of bidirectional charging, including vehicle-to-grid technology with the potential to provide cost savings for owners. This move aligns with its sister brand Volvo’s recent establishment of the new business entity, Volvo Cars Energy, to cater to the energy sector.
Overall, Polestar Day was a significant event that underlined the brand’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in the electric vehicle market. With the unveiling of the Polestar 5 and other upcoming models, as well as its focus on cutting-edge technology and sustainability initiatives, Polestar continues to solidify its position as a leader in the electric vehicle space.
