The global market for 100% electric vehicles marks a symbolic moment of transition: the Swedish performance manufacturer has officially put an end to the manufacturing cycle for the first generation of the Polestar 2 model. The model that defined the brand's modern identity and paved the way for mass electrification for the Scandinavian portfolio is ending its successful career, but leaving a strong mark behind and paving the way for a new, much more advanced generation, scheduled to debut on the market in the first half of next year.
Originally launched in spring 2020, the Swedish brand's first fully electric production model was assembled continuously for six years in China at the Luqiao plant.
● Global sales performance: During its lifetime, Polestar 2 has managed to surpass 190,000 units sold worldwide, confirming its status as a viable and highly appreciated alternative in the electric sedan and fastback segment.
● Key market: The most important territory for the first generation was the UK, where customers purchased approximately 40,000 units, transforming the British market into the manufacturer's strongest commercial bastion.
The Swedish brand's management has already confirmed that the direct successor to the current model will be launched on the market in the first half of next year, promising a complete evolution in all respects.
● Philosophy of the new model: The next generation will keep intact the fundamental values that established the first iteration – sportiness, Scandinavian minimalism and exemplary safety – but will correct and optimize the weaknesses reported by users in recent years.
● Production and artistic coordination: The future Polestar 2 will continue to be produced in China, benefiting from a completely fresh visual signature, shaped under the guidance of Philipp Romers, the brand's new head of design.
The first generation Polestar 2 set high standards in its segment through innovations brought throughout its life cycle, including going through an extensive technical update process that included the migration from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive (RWD) for single-engine versions.
● Exterior and interior design: The fastback silhouette with a raised sidewall combines the elegance of a classic sedan with the discreet robustness of a crossover. Inside, the cabin stands out for its sustainable materials, the total absence of animal skin in the basic configurations and a minimalist digitalized atmosphere.
● Propulsion systems and performance: The range included versions with a single electric motor (rear-wheel drive) or a dual configuration (Dual Motor), the latter offering powers of up to 421 horsepower, capable of propelling the car from 0 to 100 km/h in just a few seconds.
● Batteries and autonomy: Equipped with generous battery packs (reaching a usable capacity of 79 kWh in the extended autonomy versions), the model offered a maximum autonomy that exceeded the WLTP threshold of 659 kilometers for the Single Motor variant with optimized efficiency, while ensuring fast charging rates in direct current of up to 200 kW.
● Technologies and infotainment: Polestar 2 pioneered the adoption of the natively integrated Android Automotive OS, offering built-in Google services (Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play Store), regular over-the-air (OTA) updates and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) developed in collaboration with Volvo's expertise.
On the Romanian market, the Polestar brand has gradually made its presence felt, attracting a technical audience, oriented towards sustainability and pure Scandinavian design.
1. Equipment and versions sold: Customers in Romania focused mainly on the Long Range Single Motor versions (for maximum efficiency and extended autonomy) and Long Range Dual Motor (for dynamic sports-level performance), often complemented by the Plus (heat pump, panoramic roof, Harman Kardon audio system) and Pilot (advanced safety and driving assistance systems) optional packages.
2. Price level: Depending on the version, active subsidies through the Rabla Plus program (in previous years) and the packages chosen, list prices for new models were frequently in the range of 45,000 - 60,000 euros (the equivalent of over 220,000 - 330,000 lei for the well-equipped top Dual Motor versions), positioning the car directly in competition with German and American rivals in the premium electric segment.
3. Used market and successor perspective: With the end of the first generation production, existing stocks in the European network and the imported used car market will maintain keen interest in this model in Romania, while the attention of local buyers is already shifting towards the official launch of the new generation scheduled for next year.