Chassis development for Polestar 2 is in its final stages as the new electric performance fastback is being readied for production in early 2020. As an electric performance brand, Polestar is focused on creating a unique driving sensation that sets Polestar cars apart and offers drivers a fun and engaging experience.
Polestar 2 is a performance car from the outset. With 300 kW, 660 Nm and all-wheel drive, the powerful electric drivetrain enables quick acceleration and a thrilling drive by default. The dynamic chassis offers confidence and comfort, balanced with sportiness and fun – for Polestar, performance is about more than just straight-line acceleration.
The optional Performance Pack takes the car to the next level, with more focussed driver engagement and superior driving dynamics. Large Brembo brakes and adjustable Öhlins dampers make Polestar 2 particularly unique.
Joakim Rydholm is Polestar’s lead chassis engineer and chief test driver responsible for tuning Polestar 2 to perfection, creating a strong connection between car and driver.
“We wanted to create a car that people will really enjoy driving,” comments Joakim Rydholm. “As with Polestar 1, we spend time in many different environments around the world with Polestar 2, fine-tuning and testing lots of different chassis attributes – to find what we call ‘the golden ride’. This is the moment when we as chassis engineers find the ultimate configuration, a perfect balance between dampers, brakes, tyres, steering and power delivery that gives us goose bumps.”
Testing and development is not only done at the Hällered Proving Grounds in Sweden. Polestar development expeditions take place in the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, China, Germany, Spain and of course, inside the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden.
“Each of our testing environments allows us to refine specific elements of the car and in different ways,” continues Joakim Rydholm. “The car should feel alive when negotiating a South African mountain pass, calm and confident when cruising at speed on a German autobahn. Cool in Death Valley, cosy in the Arctic and relaxed on a wet country lane in England. As we hone each element along the way, to create that magical Polestar feeling, it gets very exciting. And we don’t stop until we are totally satisfied.”
Joakim Rydholm is also responsible for the chassis of Polestar 1 and there are many similarities between the two cars. He elaborates: “These are Polestar cars and they should embody our electric performance philosophy. We develop our own unique driving characteristics and you can really feel the way the two cars are related.
“Our cars should feel alive and communicative but balanced and predictable. Suspension tuning is one of the most crucial elements in delivering this sophisticated ride. With our Performance Pack set-up in Polestar 2, we don’t have overcomplicated electronic suspension systems. Instead, we make the smallest adjustments to the Öhlins Dual Flow Valve dampers to find the sweet spot. This really sets the car apart from other electric vehicles,” concludes Joakim Rydholm.
Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer at Polestar, comments: “If you ask me, Joakim and his chassis development team are the best in the industry. They work tirelessly to make our cars feel ‘Polestar’. I know when I get an excited phone call from one of the development engineers that they have struck gold – literally.”
