Polestar Shows off an Experimental Polestar 2

• Polestar has developed an experimental Polestar 2 that “pushes the boundaries of the electric performance fastback,” the company said.

• Power is up to 476 hp, the car uses the Polestar 1’s brakes, and has an upgrade suspension.

• Polestar chief chassis engineer Joakim Rydholm will drive the car at this weekend’s (July 8-11) Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Polestar has revealed an experimental Polestar 2 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Polestar boss Thomas Ingenlath wanted to push the EV’s boundaries in terms of design and performance potential, prompting the makeover.

“I challenged the design and engineering teams to play with Polestar 2 and come up with something that makes a strong statement for Goodwood,” he said. “For a few months I have enjoyed driving another experimental Polestar 2, nicknamed ‘Beast,’ around our Gothenburg campus, which inspired the team to come up with this version for Goodwood. We want to flex our muscles and explore opportunities.”

The experimental dual motor EV produces a combined output of 476 hp from its twin electric motors. The car has been given a stronger stance, with a .4-inch wider track and about an inch lower ride height. The wheel arches are wider to house the 9x21-inch wheels and the Polestar 1’s 6-piston Akebono front brakes. The 275/30R21 Pirelli PZero Rosso performance tires are also from the Polestar 1.

The springs have been stiffened 80% at the front and 40% at the rear compared to the originals, and the adjustable Öhlins DFV dampers have been upgraded to Öhlins three-way performance dampers, approximately 30% stiffer than the originals. To further increase rigidity, the Volvo S60 Polestar Engineered’s carbon fiber front suspension strut bar is used, as well as a custom fabricated rear strut bar.

“This car is what happens when we are given freedom to go beyond our limits,” says Joakim Rydholm, Polestar’s chief chassis engineer. “We already have such great handling and performance characteristics in Polestar 2, but when Thomas asked me to make something special for Goodwood, I was really excited to up the stakes.”

In addition to the mechanical upgrades, the car has updated front and rear bumpers and is finished in Snow Matte with a Magnesium Matte racing stripe, a color-coded front grid and glossy black mirrors. Bumpers and side skirts have an additional color-coded accent. The wheels have dual tonality of glossy and matte black surfaces.

Maximilian Missoni, Head of Design at Polestar, said, “It’s always exciting to push a little bit further. This is one of the benefits of being a startup like Polestar – we don’t have a mold to fit into so we can experiment with fun projects like this.”

Hillclimb runs will be completed during the event. If you’re going to Goodwood, you can check out the car in the First Glance Paddock adjacent to the Polestar stand.

Rydholm is doing the driving at Goodwood. He made his first appearance at Goodwood in 2018, debuting the first Polestar 1 driving prototype.

“Polestar 2 is already a wonderfully dynamic car and we have spent thousands of hours fine-tuning its driving characteristics,” he said. “The new chassis set-up for Goodwood has really taken it to the next level. I can’t wait to go up the hill!”

That is all well and good but will it ever be built? Polestar officials told Autoweek that the car is just an experiment and the chances of it being produced are “strongly in the not-likely direction for now, sadly.” They say the brakes and struts would make it a “brutally expensive car” for the segment.

Sign in to the comments and tell us what you think of the latest Polestar.