The 2024 Polestar 5 prototype debuts at Goodwood with 640 kW (884 HP) and 900Nm
The Polestar 5 fastback makes its road debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, punching out 650kW and 900Nm.
The Polestar 5 makes its road debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year. Images: Polestar
Polestar is showing a development prototype of the Polestar 5 in public for the first time at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed (23-26 June). Polestar 5 is an evolution of the Precept concept car first shown in 2020.
First, the numbers. Polestar claims 650 kW (884 hp) and 900 Nm are the targeted output figures. That’s good. The Polestar 5 will sport a dual motor setup, but a new rear electric motor will provide superior output, along with 800-Volt architecture and a high-output front electric motor.
Pete Allen, Head of Polestar UK R&D, says: “Polestar 5 is shaping up to be a superb 4-door GT and a true Polestar at heart. The platform combines low-volume performance car attributes with modern technological advances to bring light-weight, high-rigidity sports car chassis technology into mass production.”
Jörg Brandscheid, Polestar’s CTO and Head of R&D, says: “The new powertrain we are working on will set a new brand benchmark in our high-performing cars. Combining strong electric motor engineering ability with advances in light-weight platform technology is leading to truly stunning driver’s cars.”
While the automaker didn’t reveal performance specifications, we do know that Polestar UK has been working on the car’s bonded aluminium chassis, said to develop a true performance car driving experience, with exceptional dynamics and reduced overall weight.
We expect the Polestar 5 to house a battery somewhere in the 100-105 kWh range, utilising an 800 Volt electrical architecture; a first for the brand. This will allow the four door GT to charge at speeds comparable to Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and Porsche’s Taycan.
While the Polestar 5 appears to largely resemble the Precept concept car, there are a few design elements that are now more production ready. The front end has been simplified, and appears to leave room for the promised Lidar and sensor array of the Polestar 3 and 4. Expect the halogen lights on this Goodwood car to be replaced by full Pixel LED arrays. There’s a charge port on the front left fender, instead of just behind the front wheel, and the side mirrors appear to be lifted straight from the Polestar 2 (no bad thing).
Gone are the “suicide” rear doors in favour of regular pieces, and its possible that there is some active aero front and rear.
Polestar has also published this video below, following the successful SPAC listing with Gores Guggenheim, Inc. on the NASDAQ last week. We can see a workshop full of Polestar 5 prototypes:
In the below photo, we can see what is presumably the final shape of the chassis and body; The Polestar 5 looks to have a spacious interior, with seats set low around the vehicle’s battery modules. The large, side body panel with door openings and rear fender are spot welded to the bonded aluminium chassis.
In the background, we can see a Polestar 5 prototype without a front hood; from this image, it looks like the vehicle is packed full of motors and cooling equipment, and that there won’t be space for a front storage compartment.
Expect the Polestar 5 to be unveiled mid-2023, ahead of a market introduction in 2024. While not confirmed for Australia and New Zealand at the time of writing, we fully expect Polestar to bring its full model range down under.
Polestar 5 Prototype Image Gallery
Kia reveals EV6 electric crossover ahead of late March 2021 launch
Kia has pulled the covers off its new E-GMP based EV6 overnight, and it’s a sharp looking thing. Part crossover and part sedan, the EV6 share’s the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Polestar 2’s high-riding design, and points to a new design direction for the company’s battery electric vehicles.
Kia has pulled the covers off its new E-GMP based EV6 overnight, and it’s a sharp looking thing. Part crossover and part sedan, the EV6 share’s the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Polestar 2’s high-riding design, and points to a new design direction for the company’s battery electric vehicles.
According to Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia’s Global Design Center, “EV6, as the first dedicated Kia EV, is a showcase of human-centred, progressive design and electrified power. We strongly believe EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new EV market. With EV6 we aimed to create a distinctive, impactful design by using a combination of sophisticated, high-tech features on pure and rich volumes, while providing a unique space as a futuristic EV.”
Kia’s new logo graphic works very well on the EV6, looking contemporary, upscale and progressive all at the same time. It’s nice to see a company moving away from the trend of ginormous front grilles, especially when it’s a case of form over function with electric vehicles. The front headlights have a hint of Audi design to them, while the generously sized up-swept rear taillights remind us of Aston Martin’s DBX.
The interior of the EV6 shares some similarities with the IONIQ 5 in basic architecture and the two-screen setup, but the design and control surfaces are a little more conventional. We expect Kia to release more information on features and functionality at the global launch. At this stage, we have only been advised by Kia that the launch will take place in “March 2021”.
Ford Europe to produce electric cars exclusively by 2030
Ford Europe has confirmed a commitment to sustainable profitability overnight, beginning a US$1 billion transformation of its Cologne manufacturing site to modernise its vehicle assembly facility, and create a home for the company’s planned e-mobility business.
Ford Europe to go all electric by 2030 with new models and new e-mobility factory in cologne
Ford plans for 100% of its passenger vehicle range in Europe to be zero-emissions capable by mid-2026, moving to all-electric by 2030
$1 billion will be invested in a new electric vehicle manufacturing centre in Cologne
The company’s first European-built, volume all-electric passenger vehicle for European customers will roll off the lines in Cologne starting in 2023
Ford will utilise Volkswagen’s modular electric-drive toolkit (MEB) to underpin the new vehicles
Ford Europe has confirmed a commitment to sustainable profitability overnight, beginning a US$1 billion transformation of its Cologne manufacturing site to modernise its vehicle assembly facility, and create a home for the company’s planned e-mobility business.
Ford states that 100 percent of their passenger vehicle range in Europe will be zero-emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2026, and that the range will be completely all-electric by 2030.
The Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s all electric sports crossover. Images: Ford Motor Company
Interestingly, Ford will rely heavily on Volkswagens MEB platform architecture, with the German automaker tweeting about the deal, and claiming Ford will be using 600,000 MEB platforms and associated components by 2028:
Ford returned a profitable fourth quarter of 2020 in Europe, despite losses across the business globally. Ford recently announced US$22 billion would be allocated for e-mobility investment through 2025, across all its R&D and manufacturing facilities.
Ford’s announcement comes immediately after Jaguar Land Rover committed to electrifying their fleets over the next decade, with General Motors, Volkswagen and Volvo making similar commitments last year.
Ford’s E-Transit and Mustang Mach-E
