Currently reading: Polestar 2 gains front-wheel-drive entry variants from £39,990

Front-driven EV gets choice of two battery capacities and a range of up to 335 miles

The Polestar 2 electric hatchback is now available in entry-level front-wheel-drive guise, priced from £39,900, with a choice of battery sizes.

Having launched last year in four-wheel-drive, dual-motor form and priced from £49,900, the Sino-Swedish EV can now be equipped with a single motor on the front axle, providing either 221bhp or 227bhp, and 243lb ft.

For an additional £3000, the front-driven 2 can be specified with the Long Range battery option, which raises capacity from 64kWh to 78kWh for an estimated range of 320-335 miles, up from 260-273 miles on the cheaper car.

The Performance Pack, with adjustable suspension, 20in alloy wheels and performance brakes, remains exclusive to the dual-motor 2 for £5000, but the new model can be upgraded with the £4000 Plus Pack, which brings a sunroof and more interior kit, and the £3000 Pilot Pack, which expands the suite of driver aids.

The front-wheel-drive cars are visually indistinguishable from the existing dual-motor 2, with 19in and LED headlights remaining standard fitment to all variants. A second vegan-friendly upholstery option has been made available, and standard equipment includes an eight-speaker sound system, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said: “What we have successfully managed with the new versions is to avoid stripping the lower-priced models of their character and premium feeling. Even the most affordable Polestar 2, with no optional equipment, has great visual consistency and high level of standard equipment.”

Polestar is now accepting online orders ahead of test drives being offered in September.

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Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: Deputy editor

Felix is Autocar's deputy editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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Einarbb 13 April 2021

The front drive + bigger battery, that's it -- comes across as quite reasonable deal.Sufficiently powerful + useful range capability.

jer 13 April 2021

Whenever I start to read about packs yada yada I just switch off. Never yet seen a pack that had only what I wanted it is and was not an upsell for things I did not want. Never thought I would say it but bring back options.

The Apprentice 13 April 2021
One of these slid past me on the A14 today, I wasn't totally sure what it was until seeing the pictures here as a reminder. Boy is it a striking thing on the road. I like futuristic so this really caught my eye.