While parent company Volvo will sell the midsize zero-emissions SUV with three-row seating, Polestar won’t be doing the same since its own version will be sportier and likely a tad lighter by coming only with two rows. Even if it’s fully disguised, the vehicle shows a swoopy shape whereas the equivalent XC90 / Embla will be boxier and therefore roomier on the inside.

Both of them will share the assembly line at the factory located in Charleston, South Carolina where the electric SUVs are scheduled to enter production in 2022. The first Polestar to be built in North America is going to feature a LIDAR sensor and NVIDIA computing power to give the vehicle a highly advanced autonomous driving system on the highway.

The Polestar 3 has been previously confirmed to feature a more powerful dual-motor setup than its Volvo counterpart and will come with all-wheel drive. Eschewing the third row will free up more legroom for passengers sitting in the back, but the more sloped roofline will result in less headroom compared to the Embla.

It’s going to be approximately the same size as the XC90 replacement and both will ride on the dedicated electric SPA2 architecture enabling a completely flat floor design and short overhangs. The shape has “nothing to do” with the Volvo, according to Polestar boss Thomas Ingenlath. That’s because the Polestar 3 – which will carry a starting price of around €75,000 in Europe – will be more aerodynamic and aggressive while the Embla will play it safe in terms of design.

It will be followed in 2023 by the Polestar 4 as a more affordable SUV serving as a coupe-styled alternative to the existing Polestar 2. As for the Polestar 5, the grand tourer is set for a 2024 launch as a production version of the stunning Percept concept. Meanwhile, the Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid sports coupe will be retired by the end of this year.

Source: Polestar

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Granted, that’s not all too surprising seeing as how the vehicle hiding under the cover has a sloping roofline that would make it quite difficult to cram in more than four/five seats in the cabin. Ingenlath explained he has nothing against three-row vehicles, but argues offering a seven-seat option would have made some people wonder how the Polestar 3 differs from the mechanically related XC90.

He went on to mention sticking to two rows allows Polestar to offer more room between the front and rear seats to enable a “luxurious feeling” while improving aerodynamics thanks to the swoopy roofline. Consequently, expect copious amounts of rear legroom and a low drag coefficient for an SUV.

While the Polestar 3 and next-gen Volvo XC90 EV will share most of the bits and pieces, aside from being built at the same South Carolina plant in the US, there will be one key difference between the two. Ingenlath told C&D the Polestar 3 will be fitted with a powertrain that will give it “a top power position that is unique to Polestar.”

Much like the zero-emissions XC90, the new Polestar 3 will come with a choice of single- and dual-motor versions, with the latter offering all-wheel drive. Ingenlath argues variety is the spice of life as offering multiple powertrain options will cater to various customer demands all over the world, with some regions preferring AWD while others will go for the single-motor setup.

The official reveal is expected to take place in the coming months, but the Polestar 3 won’t arrive in the United States until at some point next year when it will be advertised as a 2023MY product.

Source: Car and Driver

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Teased under a car cover, the Polestar 3 will have an exterior appearance previewed last year by the Precept concept. The firm’s design boss previously said the concept’s styling will inspire the SUV by adopting a similar minimalist approach, including for the cabin where a large touchscreen will replace most conventional buttons.

One major difference between the Polestar 3 and the two preceding models will be the production location as the electric SUV will be built in the United States. Specifically, it’s going to be put together in South Carolina at the factory in Ridgeville where the Volvo S60 is currently made. At the very same plant, the all-new XC90 coming in 2022 will hit the assembly line, likely with an EV option.

North American customers will be glad to hear they won’t have to wait a long time to get behind the wheel of the Polestar 3 after placing an order. That obviously has to do with the fact it will be built in SC, thus significantly reducing the waiting times. The electric SUV will also come at a lower starting price compared to an imported car from China as it’s the case with the Polestar 1 coupe and Polestar 2.

Polestar promises a highly advanced autonomous driving system for its first SUV, along with state-of-the-art infotainment running on Android Automotive OS. The company remains tight-lipped about the technical specifications but promises it will have fully-fledged performance car capabilities and a highly aerodynamic body.

A full reveal is expected to take place in the coming months, ahead of 2022 when production is programmed to start.

Source: Polestar

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