The Polestar 2 has only been in the market for about three years, but Polestar is already giving the fastback model a facelift update. And it’s not just any other facelift, because the Swedish carmaker has given the Polestar 2 so many updates for the 2024 model year, it’s almost a brand-new car already.
The most significant change is actually found underneath the sheet metal, as the standard single motor variant now gets a brand new rear-wheel drive layout, instead of front-wheel drive on the pre-facelift model.
The new motor on the rear axle also gets more power than before, outputting up to 220 kW (299 hp) and 490 Nm of torque on the Long Range model – a significant increase over its predecessor’s 231 hp and 330 Nm. As a result, the century sprint times for the model has been dropped by as much as 1.2 seconds, down to 6.2 seconds on the Long Range model.
READ MORE: Polestar 2 EV reaches 100,000-unit milestone
On the all-wheel drive dual motor variants meanwhile, the drivetrain has now been revised for a more rear-biased set-up that promises “increased driving pleasure and performance”. With new motors both front and back, the Dual Motor variant now boasts a total output of 310 kW (421 hp) and 740 Nm of torque, up from 300 kW and 660 Nm from before.
As a result, the dual motor-equipped Polestar 2 now sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. And if you opt for the Performance Pack upgrade (350 kW/476 hp), which can be done over an over-the-air software update if you wish to on a later date, that figure drops even more to 4.2 seconds.
In addition to the improved performance, Polestar says that the new powertrain set-up also helps deliver “vastly improved traction” and greater overall efficiency – the latter is partly thanks to the front motors that can be disengaged completely when not needed, only re-engaging “instantly and seamlessly” when the driver wants more power.
The efficiency push is further aided by the upgraded lithium-ion batteries, featuring a redesigned battery disconnect unit, upgraded busbars, and improved cell chemistry, which enables an even faster charging rates of up to 205 kW (DC) on the long-range batteries, and 135 kW for the standard range models.
ALSO READ: Polestar 2 debuts in ASEAN with Singapore launch, cheaper than XC40
On the long-range versions, the battery pack is now upsized to 82 kWh in capacity, while the standard-range models retain a capacity of 69 kWh. However, thanks to the other optimisations in efficiency and power delivery, all variants of the new Polestar 2 see an improvement to their driving range – the long range dual motor variant is now rated at 592 km WLTP (up 105 km); the long range single motor variant gets 635 km (up 84 km), while the single motor standard range version is now capable of up to 518 km (up 40 km) from a single charge.
The new cell chemistry also helps the Polestar 2 reduce its overall carbon footprint, with carbon emissions for the 82 kWh battery-equipped models dropping by 1.1 tonnes to 5.8 tonnes per car.
On the appearance front, the Polestar 2 has been updated with a blocked-out front grille panel up front to bring it more visually similar to the newer Polestar 3 model. For buyers of the Performance Pack package, the new 20-inch forged alloy wheels are also now borrowed from its aforementioned sibling.
These updates are not merely for aesthetic purposes only, too. The new front grille panel, dubbed the SmartZone, also houses many of the car’s “most important” safety sensors, including the front-facing camera and mid-range radar, to support the model’s now standard Driver Awareness active driver assistance features including blind-spot monitor, cross traffic alert with autonomous emergency braking, and a rear collision mitigation system.
Other new standard features on the Polestar 2 include a 360-degree surround view camera, as well as automatic diming exterior mirrors. Inside, the wireless phone charging pad is also now standard across all variants.
The model year 2024 Polestar 2 is now available to order in European markets, with pricing starting from EUR50,190 (approx. RM231k). Deliveries are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2023.
