It’s been a long time coming but the prestige Swedish electric car (EV) manufacturer has finally announced it’s latest model, the Polestar 5 and it is pretty impressive. It is a four door performance grand tourer and is intended as a statement of intent for the brand’s future design, technology and sustainability vision; in short, the Polestar 5 is that future vision realised in the here and now.
On The Outside
Polestar EV’s are really good looking with simple, sleek and stylish lines, devoid of any unnecessary embellishments and the Polestar 5 is no exception. The low nose is flanked by the brand’s signature dual blade headlights complete with ‘Pixel LED’ technology as standard.
The relationship between wheel and bonnet line is especially close, a feat seemingly made possible by the car’s platform and ‘unique to segment’ front suspension design. Gloss black or ‘Shade’ cladding along the lower section of the doors reduces the visual height of the 56 inch (142cm) tall car while the cabin matches the wing-like profile and sleek roofline.
This shape has been made possible without compromising rear seat space apparently by moving the rear header structure backwards behind rear seat occupants’ heads and employing the digital rear view mirror and virtual rear window as on the existing Polestar 4. Polestar 5 also features the largest panoramic glass roof of any model from this company so far, ensuring second-row occupants appreciate a truly light-filled and spacious feeling.
At the rear, the Polestar 5 uses a specially designed aero-efficient light-bar with rear vent detail and integrated rear diffuser to improve airflow. With its flush frameless glass and retractable door handles, the resulting aero Cd is just 0.24 for the Polestar 5 Dual Motor variant.
Polestar 5 is available in six colour choices, including two matte paint options – Storm, a strong, purposeful dark grey and Magnesium, a lighter silver-like finish.
The Premium Quality Interior
Inside, the 4+1 seating of this electric performance GT is created with equal focus for driver and passengers. Front seats designed in collaboration with the famous brand Recaro, mixing an especially low hip-point with supportive bolstering and typically Swedish comfort. They come finished in ‘Charcoal MicroTech’ as standard or optional ‘Bridge of Weir’ Nappa leather in Charcoal or Zinc colours. The seats also add ventilation and massage to the standard heating and electrical adjustment.
Designed primarily as a four-seater, with the central armrest in its lower position, rear seat passengers can control the four-zone climate system, seat heating, ventilation, and massage functions. These rear seats follow the same form design as the Recaro fronts and can be individually reclined for comfort. Raising the armrest creates a fifth seating position, the staggered configuration offering greater shoulder space, and turns the performance GT into a practical five-seater. A cut out in the battery compartment underneath the passenger area, known as the ‘foot garage’ for some reason, situated behind the front seats, gives occupants extra foot space and a more natural seating position.
Natural fibre materials are used throughout the interior, showcased by the Polestar signature weave in the front seat backs. Completed with something called ‘ampliTex’ for added strength, this bio-based alternative to carbon-fibre, made from flax apparently, is lighter than plastic and uses fifty percent less fossil fuel-based materials. This material is used in the door cards and can also be seen in the inner lining of the 365 litre rear luggage space while the 62 litre front luggage space is a different weight-saving and recyclable material. The Polestar 5 also continues to use recycled materials for the carpets, headlining and a knitted second deco wrapping round the upper section of the doors.
The driving position of the Polestar 5 is deliberately reclined, with a performance focus, thanks to the low-slung seats and upright angled steering wheel brought close to the driver. A 9 inch driver display is mounted directly to the electrically adjustable steering column, ensuring the display is perfectly positioned in line of sight, no matter the chosen position. Finally, the 9.5 inch head-up display completes the driver focused information displays.
Between the front seats runs a low centre console which incorporates a lockable storage compartment, crowned with a centralised rotary audio controller for the 14.5 inch portrait centre display screen. The centre display runs a Polestar specific ‘Android Automotive’ operating system with Google built-in that takes best of the best from both Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 models. Four dynamic ‘tiles’ beneath the Google Maps section can be customised to the user’s choice of function and the dedicated shortcut tile offers up to six of the driver’s most used functions directly on the home screen.
Audio is taken care of either by the Polestar ‘High Performance Audio’ system with 10 speakers or the optional Bowers & Wilkins 21-speaker audio system with Tweeter-on-Top technology and 1,680 Watt power output. Laser-line ambient lighting wraps around the cabin, finishing in a sound bar behind the rear occupants’ heads, and combined with Active Road Noise Cancellation makes for a truly premium cabin experience.
On The Road
Of lighter weight than a comparable steel structure, the aluminium architecture also brings safety benefits, and the 112kWh lithium-ion NMC battery forms part of the structure. Innovative engineering decisions, including the compact front double wishbone suspension, lightweight two-piece front disc brakes and steering rack placed ahead of the front axle, have all been made to deliver performance focused driving characteristics. Braking is taken care of by Brembo four-piston callipers up front but in combination with the lightweight 400mm two-piece discs save 12kg, improving un-sprung mass and handling.
The Polestar 5 Dual Motor has sophisticated passive dampers and internal rebound coil springs, while the Polestar 5 Performance uses ‘MagneRide’ adaptive damping. The dampers read the road up to 1,000 times per second and can react within three milliseconds thanks to the virtually unpronounceable ‘magnetorheological’ fluid, which, in layman’s terms, delivers excellent body control while maintaining comfort and an optimal response at all speeds. Bespoke Michelin tyres, designed specifically for the chosen wheel combinations of Polestar 5, ranging from 20 to 22 inches in diameter, complete the performance focused handling package.
Under power, this prestige EV employs an in-house developed electric rear motor that contributes up to 450kW (612PS / 603BHP equivalent) and 660Nm to the Polestar 5 Performance’s 650kW (883PS / 872BHP) and 1,015Nm total power output. This allows the Polestar 5 Performance to accelerate from 0-60mph in just 3.1 seconds, while the 550kW (748PS / 737BHP) Polestar 5 Dual Motor takes just 3.8 seconds to complete the same test. All versions are electronically limited to 155mph. The sense of acceleration from rest is immense.
Polestar cars are a niche brand in the EV world. Buyers interested in this rather brilliant alternative electric option should contact us here at MHH International to find out about availability. We source both new and used cars, electric, hybrid and combustion, from a wide range of premium manufacturers for export from the UK to Kenya, New Zealand and a host of other countries. Please see our website for full details.
