First
Drive Review of the 2024 Polestar 4: No turning back
Madrid, Spain When
there are more windows than you may think, automakers have historically
utilized this as a selling feature. For instance, the 23-window Bus from
Volkswagen, formally dubbed the Deluxe Microbus with Samba Package, was an
upscale trim that is currently in great demand. The flagship Citroën XM, on the
other hand, was offered with a 13th window that prevented wind from entering
the interior when the hatch was opened. Polestar claims that the industry has
hit its peak window with the 4.
When it comes to
oddities, the absence of a rear window is significant. We are discussing a
high-end electric vehicle here, not something you would see in a contractor's
fleet. But it's more than just a glass-free hatch. I'm taking the 4 out on
public roads after test driving a pre-production vehicle on a racetrack.
Let me start by
discussing placement. Polestar names its cars according to the sequence in
which they are introduced, so don't read too much into the "4"
moniker. In terms of price and size, the 4 is merely the fourth Polestar model
to be released; it is positioned below the 3. It is quite difficult to identify
the market niche it competes in. It's an SUV in the same way that a taco is a
sandwich—on paper, it checks most of the boxes, but it doesn't seem like the
actual thing. It resembles a tallish sedan mixed with a hatchback more.
Alternatively, a crossover in the strict definition of the word instead of the
widely recognized one.
Polestar asserts that it has a compelling rationale for
omitting the back window. The head of design for the company, Maximilian
Missoni, told me, "We wanted to have a coupe body style for aerodynamics
and at the same time get a really spacious interior." It was feasible to
move the D-pillar back and gain a few inches thanks to the windowless solution.
"An additional issue with coupes is that you can see a lot of your own
interior in the rearview mirror, including the headrests and possibly your
passengers," he continued.
The modular SEA
architecture, which is shared by the Gealy empire's various other brands, is
concealed by the Sheetmetal. A variety of vehicles, including the Lotus Elert,
the Volvo EX30, and the Volvo EM90 minivan offered in China, are built on
variations of this fundamental platform. At launch, buyers will have a choice
of two configurations. You guessed it: the lowest model, dubbed Long Range
Single Motor, comes with a single electric motor that zaps the back wheels into
action. It has a 100-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and is rated at 272
horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque.
Next in line is the Long-Range
Dual Motor, which has two motors providing through-the-road all-wheel drive
(one per axle). The power and torque of the second motor are increased to 544
and 506, respectively. The battery for the rear-wheel drive variant is also
used in this grade. With rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the range of both
drivetrains is up to 300 miles and 270 miles, respectively, and is based around
a 400-volt electrical system. Using a 200-kilowatt charger, it takes around 30
minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.
The infotainment
system of the 4 and the 3 are nearly identical, with the exception that the 4's
software is shown on a 14.5-inch touchscreen that is oriented portrait rather
than landscape. The system runs on an Android platform, and Polestar created the
split-screen capability and easily readable UI internally. The driver has
significant control over the split's ratio; for example, you may place the
media and phone widgets on the right quarter of the screen and the navigation
system on the left three-quarters. Both the opposite and a 50/50 split are
effective. Using the system is less distracting and more natural thanks to this
neat feature. "We're not creating new phones.
Similar to the 3,
the 4's interior design is straightforward. There aren't many buttons in the
cabin. There are many on the steering wheel that are mostly used to adjust the
steering column and door mirrors, as well as a volume knob located on the
large, slanted center console. Although this heavy dependence on the
touchscreen may surprise some traditional drivers, it's becoming standard
practice in the business. Touchscreens may also provide a little of variety to
the experience. For example, Polestar names the ambient lighting modes after
solar system planets, and you can explore the galaxy and discover facts like
how long a day is on Mars while doing so.
I only had the
opportunity to drive the dual-motor variant, and the Performance Pack was an
add-on for my test vehicle. It adds unique chassis tuning, 22-inch wheels with
Pirelli P-Zero tires on them, Brembo brakes, gold-colored seatbelts, and Brembo
brakes but doesn't improve horsepower. Considering that this 5,200-pound
automobile can go from zero to sixty miles per hour in 3.8 seconds, the massive
brakes aren't unnecessary.
Performance, at
least in this arrangement, is the main attribute of the 4. The electric motor's
50/50 weight distribution and relatively low center of gravity allow for better
handling than you might anticipate for its size and weight, and its quick torque
gives the impression that it is operating much faster than the estimated 3.8
seconds. Although the 3's innovative torque-vectoring rear axle makes it more
maneuverable around curves, Polestar's attempts to make the 4 enjoyable to
drive are apparent in the way it handles.
The 4 has a
traditional steel configuration, in contrast to the 3, which is supported by an
air suspension system. In the model with rear wheel drive, it is fixed, while
in the model with all wheel drive, it is adaptable. With the latter, the driver
has a choice of three modes: Standard, Nimble, and Firm. You may also choose
between three different steering feel options (Light, Standard, and Firm), two
different power delivery options (Range and Performance), and three different
one-pedal driving modes (Off, Low, and Standard) from the same touchscreen
menu. You may customize your driving profile by adjusting these variables. Even
under typical driving circumstances, there is a discernible difference between
these different settings.
When the suspension
and steering are adjusted to a softer level, the 4 transforms into a cozy
vehicle. Missoni is right when she says that both rows are really spacious. Was
that really worth losing the back window for? Depending on how you look at it.
Fundamentally, there is nothing very strange or alarming about the new
arrangement. Gentex, a Michigan-based company, created it. It has a
2.5-megapixel camera built into a small roof alcove that projects video onto an
8.9-inch digital rearview mirror. You can see who's the punching bag in the
rear seat by flipping down the mirror.
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