Polestar 1 performance hybrid makes European debut in Geneva

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Steps on European soil after Shanghai 2017 unveil

Polestar 1 took the stage in Geneva with a dedicated stand and all of the 600 hp previously announced by Volvo’s electric performance brand, after being previously revealed last year in Shanghai.

Polestar 1 production is set to commence mid-2019 but while Polestar gets the R&D sorted out, their first-ever model showed up at the currently ongoing Geneva Motor Show.

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Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO, said that so far they’ve “received interest from over 6,000 potential customers wanting a Polestar 1.” Polestar plans to produce 500 cars every year.

Pre-ordering for the Polestar 1 kicks off at 8:00 on March 13, 2018. Those interested in getting one have to pay a refundable $2,500 deposit. Initially, only buyers from six markets will be able to apply for one, namely China, US, Sweden, Germany, Norway and the Netherlands.

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12 other new markets will be then added to the pre-order tally: Switzerland, UK, Belgium, Finland, France, Poland, Austria, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Portugal and Canada.

Polestar calls its first-ever car an “electric performance hybrid 2+2 GT.” Polestar 1 packs 600 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque (738 lb-ft). According to the carmaker’s literature, Polestar 1 can go for 150 km (93 miles) in pure-electric mode.

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Powertrain-wise, Polestar 1 employs an ICE (internal combustion engine) in the form of a 2-liter supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant that spins the front wheels. Powering the rear wheels are a pair of electric motors that draw their juice from a 34 kWh battery pack.

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At later dates, Polestar plans to introduce two more models, dubbed as Polestar 2 and Polestar 3. These two will be full battery-electric cars, designed for high volume assembly and focused on the driver.

READ MORE: Volvo and Geely invest €640 million in Polestar manufacturing plant in China