The high-performance hybrid that bridged Volvo's heritage with Polestar's independence
In short: Before becoming a standalone brand, Polestar's first major project was a hybrid powerhouse. Born from a 2013 Volvo concept, the Polestar 1 combined a twincharged petrol engine with dual electric motors to create a high-performance machine designed for the left-hand drive market.
The Polestar 1 represents a pivotal moment in the company's evolution. Following its transition to an independent manufacturer in June 2017, the Polestar 1 was the first vehicle produced by the brand. It was based on the 2013 Volvo Concept Coupé, a design by Thomas Ingenlath that drew inspiration from the classic Volvo P1800 to honor the company's design heritage.
Mechanically, the car is a sophisticated plug-in hybrid. It utilizes a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder petrol engine—the same twincharged unit found in the Volvo XC90 T8—to drive the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. This is supplemented by two electric motors at the rear, each producing 116 hp, bringing the total combined output to 619 hp and 738 lb⋅ft of torque.
To manage this power, the car employs planetary gear sets that enable torque vectoring, a technology typically used in racing to improve stability and acceleration through curves. The vehicle also features Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi), which adapts to road conditions instantly. To maintain lightness and stiffness, most exterior upper body panels are constructed from carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), a choice that saved approximately 500 lb (230 kg) compared to steel.
Production was a limited affair. Between 2019 and 2022, only 1,500 units were manufactured for the left-hand drive market. In 2021, a special matte-gold edition was unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show to commemorate the final production run; only 25 of these specific models were created, carrying a $5,000 premium over the original $156,500 MSRP.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Polestar 1
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