Polestar 2 2023: range and performance boosted amid Australian price increase

Curt Dupriez

Deputy editor

Big performance hikes and up to 654km of range arrives for Tesla Model 3 rival’s major rear-drive-centric MY24 Polestar 2 update

Polestar has introduced major changes to its Polestar 2 midsize liftback for its MY24 update that goes on sale in Australia on 5th of July.

The headlining upgrades include major performance boosts as well as vastly improved range of up to 654kms in some variants.

Polestar has increased the price of entry and capability of its 2 liftback

Pricing for the Polestar 2 range will start from $67,400 before on-roads, reflecting a $3500 jump in the price of entry while other grades have incurred a $3000 increase.

As previously reported by Chasing Cars earlier this year, the Polestar 2 is making an unprecedented technical transition from the front- to rear-wheel drive in single-motor variants.

Meanwhile, the dual-motor all-wheel-drive format now migrates to a more rear-bias design for what Polestar calls a “more fun to drive” dividend for MY24.

The Polestar 2 has switched to offering RWD as standard

New electric motors and inverters bring the promise of both higher efficiency and performance, with the long-range single-motor versions now outputting 220kW, a significant 50kW up on the outgoing guise. The standard-range rear driver offers 200kW of power.

The newly rear-driven Polestar 2 also gets a significant torque hike, from the front-driver’s 330Nm to 490Nm. As a result, the 0-100km/h performance claim has been slashed by 1.2 seconds, now 6.2 seconds in long-range trim.

The dual-motor version’s “completely rebalanced” drivetrain with primary rear axle drive outputs 310kW and 740Nm, up 10kW and 80Nm over the MY23 spec. Now, the dual-motor format’s front asynchronous motor functions on demand and can be decoupled from drive when not required.

Polestar says the new RWD layout should be more fun to drive

The standard dual-motor Polestar 2 performance claim is a rapid 4.5sec for the 0-100km/h sprint. An optional Performance Pack lifts power to 350kW while also cutting acceleration times to 4.2 seconds.

Longer ranges and faster recharge times

Polestar has also upgraded the batteries for its midsize Tesla Model 3 rival, with long-range version fitting an 82kWh battery and standard-range variants using a 69kWh unit.

Improvements in battery design and chemistry is said to enable faster DC charging rates.

The 69kWh version offers 135kW DC fast charging with a 10-80-percent charge time of around 34 minutes.

Meanwhile, the 82kWh long-range battery offers up to 205kW of DC fast charging that drops the 10-80-percent charge time down to around 28 minutes.

All grades can now go further on a single charge

Polestar says that the front axle disconnect on the dual-motor versions contributes to a maximum range of up to 591 kilometres WLTP for both the regular 310kW and Performance Pack 350kW versions, an increase of 104kms.

Meanwhile, the range champion of the lineup is the long-range single-motor version, with a claim of up to 654kms WLTP, or an increase of 103kms.

Meanwhile, the standard-range rear-driver is now 532km WLTP capable, up 54kms.

Claimed consumption is very similar between the standard (14.8-15.9kWh/100km) and long-range (14.9-15.8kWh/100km) rear-drivers. Both the regular and Performance Pack dual-motor versions come with identical 16.0-17.2kWh/100km consumption figures.

What does each grade of the 2023 Polestar 2 include?

The four-strong Polestar 2 range kicks off with the Standard-range single motor at $67,400 list. This 200kW/490Nm version brings a combination of 69kWh battery and 135kW DC charging with up to 532kms of claimed range.

The Long-range single- and Long-range dual-motor versions are priced at $71,400 and $76,400 respectively before on-roads. Each fits the 82kWh battery with 205kW maximum DC charging speed, while peak range claims are 654km and 591km respectively.

Standard features on all grades include an 11.15-inch touchscreen running Android Automotive OS and includes Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring software.

An additional 12.3-inch digital driver’s display sits up front, with other tech features including a wireless phone charger and an eight-speaker audio system.

Buyers will also receive textile interior upholstery, heated front seats with four-way power adjustable with more adjustability for the driver, keyless entry, a power tailgate, 360-degree camera and 19-inch wheels.

For an additional $6000 the Plus Pack is available, which adds heating for the rear seats and the driver’s steering wheel, a 13-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, WeaveTech vegan upholstery, power adjustable front seats, tinted rear windows and a heat pump.

The Performance Pack adds big Brembo brakes at all four corner

Polestar also offers the Pilot Pack for an additional $3500, which packages in safety features such as adaptive cruise control, collision warning assistance, pixel LED headlights and LED fog lights.

The Performance Pack is only available on the Long-range dual-motor spec, lifting pricing to $85,400. Bar rising power to 350kW from 310kW, it offers the same 82kWh battery, 205kW charge rate and 591km range as the regular dual-motor version.

Buyers of this package also net four-piston callipers, adjustable Ohlins dampers along with 20-inch wheels wrapped in 245mm Continental SportContact 6 tyres.