Key points
- The Polestar 5 is an upcoming luxury electric performance sedan from the Swedish EV brand Polestar.
- It is positioned as a competitor to electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan, Lucid Air, and Mercedes-AMG EQS.
- The design of the Polestar 5 has evolved from the Precept concept, with changes including the removal of suicide doors and the absence of a rear window.
- Instead of a rear window, the Polestar 5 uses a camera to feed the interior rearview mirror, allowing for increased rear-passenger headroom while maintaining aerodynamics and a sleek roofline.
- The car rides on its own platform, featuring a Lotus-esque bonded aluminium monocoque developed at Polestar’s UK engineering base.
- It utilizes an 800-volt electrical architecture and Polestar-exclusive electric motors, delivering up to 884 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque.
- The prototype Polestar 5 showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed displayed a striking design with influences from the Polestar 3 and 4, including a unique headlight design and integrated front wing.
- Polestar has announced the 5 is expected to be available next year, with an anticipated starting price of around $100,000.
Details
The 5 is an upcoming luxury electric performance sedan from the Swedish EV brand Polestar. It is positioned as a direct competitor to electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan, Lucid Air, and Mercedes-AMG EQS. The 5 was first previewed by the Precept concept in 2020 and has been showcased further at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Here are some of the key features of the Polestar 5:
- Bonded aluminium monocoque chassis
- 800-volt electrical architecture
- Polestar-exclusive electric motors
- Up to 884 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque
- The sleek, fastback design
- Lack of a rear window
- Expected to start at around $100,000
Updates
Compared to the Precept concept, the Polestar 5 has made some changes in its design. It no longer features suicide doors and does not have a rear window. Instead, a camera feeds the car’s interior rearview mirror, allowing for more rear-passenger headroom while maintaining aerodynamics and the sleek fastback roof design. The 5 shares this lack of a rear window design element with the Polestar 4 crossover.
One notable aspect of the Polestar 5 is it rides on its own platform, differentiating it from Polestar’s previous models and upcoming 3 and 4 SUVs. The platform is a Lotus-esque bonded aluminium monocoque developed at Polestar’s engineering base in the UK. The vehicle also features a unique 800-volt electrical architecture and Polestar-exclusive electric motors, providing impressive power with up to 884 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque.
Striking appearance
Although the prototype Polestar 5 showcased at the Goodwood festival may not fully exhibit the low-wide stance of the Precept concept, it still possesses a striking appearance. Design influences from the Polestar 3 and 4 are also evident, particularly in the unique headlight design and the integration of the front wing into the hood.
Polestar has announced the 5 is set to arrive next year, with an expected starting price of around $100,000.
Pros:
- Performance: The Polestar 5 boasts impressive power with its Polestar-exclusive electric motors, offering up to 884 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque. This translates to exhilarating acceleration and high-performance capabilities.
- Unique Design: The car has a distinctive design sets it apart from other luxury electric sedans. Its sleek and aerodynamic profile, combined with its unique headlight design and integrated front wing, gives it a striking appearance.
- Innovative Rearview Mirror: By removing the rear window and using a camera to feed the interior rearview mirror, the Polestar 5 provides increased rear passenger headroom without compromising on aerodynamics and aesthetics.
- Bonded Aluminum Monocoque: The Polestar 5’s platform, which is a Lotus-esque bonded aluminium monocoque, offers a lightweight yet rigid structure enhances performance, handling, and overall driving dynamics.
- 800-Volt Electrical Architecture: The use of an 800-volt electrical architecture in the Polestar 5 enables faster charging times and potentially longer range compared to vehicles with lower voltage systems.
- Brand Heritage: As part of the Polestar brand, which is a subsidiary of Geely and has a connection to the renowned sports-car brand Lotus, the 5 benefits from the expertise and heritage of these automotive companies.
Cons:
- Limited Rear Visibility: The absence of a rear window in the Polestar 5 may lead to reduced rear visibility, relying solely on the camera and interior rearview mirror. This could potentially be a concern for some drivers.
- Price: With an expected starting price of around $100,000, the Polestar 5 falls into the higher price range for luxury electric sedans. This may limit its accessibility to a wider audience.
- Limited Availability: As an upcoming model, the 5’s availability might initially be limited to certain markets or regions, which could restrict its availability for potential buyers.
- Range and Charging Infrastructure: While specific details about the 5’s range and charging capabilities are not provided, these factors are crucial considerations for electric vehicles. Buyers would need to assess the vehicle’s range and the availability of compatible charging infrastructure to meet their daily driving needs.
- Competition: The luxury electric performance sedan market is highly competitive, with strong contenders like Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan, and Lucid Air. The Polestar 5 will need to prove its superiority and unique selling points to stand out among its rivals.
Conclusion
The Polestar 5 is an exciting new electric performance sedan looks to be a serious contender in the luxury EV segment. It has a number of impressive features, including a bonded aluminium monocoque chassis, 800-volt electrical architecture, and Polestar-exclusive electric motors provide up to 884 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque. It will also have a sleek, fastback design with a lack of a rear window.
It is expected to start from $100,000, which is a bit more expensive than some of its competitors. However, it offers a number of unique features and a high level of performance, so it could be a good value for those who are looking for a luxury electric sedan.
We’ll have to wait until next year to see the Polestar 5 in person, but it’s shaping up to be a very impressive car. I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs against the competition.
