Polestar unveils its first standalone car - the Polestar 1

Polestar, the performance brand of Volvo Car Group, has revealed its future as a new standalone electric performance brand. The brand has confirmed plans for its first three models, a new purpose-built production facility in China and a customer-focused route to market that will set a new industry benchmark for performance vehicles.

Polestar also unveiled the Polestar 1, the company's first car, which is set to roll off the production line in mid-2019. Its technology and product offering benefits from synergies and economies of scale enabled by Volvo Car Group, helping Polestar to accelerate design, development and production processes at a fraction of the time it takes other new entrants.

The Polestar 1 will form a halo for the future Polestar brand. It is a two-door, 2+2 seat grand tourer coupe with an Electric Performance Hybrid drivetrain. An electric car supported by an internal combustion engine, it has a range of 150km on pure electric power - the longest full electric range of any hybrid car on the market. Its output of 600bhp and 1,000Nm of torque places the car firmly in the performance car segment.

The Polestar 1 is based upon Volvo's Scalable Platform Architecture but approximately 50 percent is new and bespoke, created by Polestar's engineers. To reinforce its dynamic driving characteristics, the Polestar 1 benefits from a host of new technologies, all aimed at making it a true driver's car. It is the world's first car to be fitted with the all new class-leading Ohlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension advanced chassis technology.

A carbon fibre body reduces bodyweight and improves torsional stiffness by 45 percent, as well as lowering the car's centre of gravity. Additionally, Polestar 1 uses a double electric rear axle, which enables torque vectoring. This supports the driver with precise acceleration on each wheel to maintain maximum road grip and speed while cornering.

The Polestar 1 will be built in the state-of-the-art, purpose-built Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China. Currently under construction, it is due for completion in mid-2018. All future cars from Polestar will have a fully electric powertrain.

The Polestar 2 will start production later in 2019 and will be the first Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) from Volvo Car Group. It will be a mid-sized BEV, joining the competition around the Tesla Model 3, and will have consequently higher volumes than the Polestar 1.

The initial phase of the Polestar product roll-out will then be completed by the subsequent arrival of a larger sport utility vehicle-style BEV, the Polestar 3, which will create a modern expression of electric performance and driving dynamics. The ordering and configuration of Polestar cars will be conducted online via a Polestar app or online portal.

However, the company also recognises that customers still want to physically engage with the brand so it will open a network of Polestar Spaces around the world. This is where future customers can interact with products and the brand. Polestar Spaces will be standalone facilities and not within existing Volvo retailer showrooms. The order books for the new Polestar 1 are now open.