RAY MASSEY: Polestar to put svelte electric roadster into production

Swedish electric performance car firm Polestar has confirmed it will put its svelte electric roadster into production. 

The hard-top convertible is to be launched in 2026 as the Polestar 6. Powered by twin motors developing 884hp, it is expected to do rest to 62mph in 3.2 seconds up to a (limited) 155mph. 

Online order books to reserve one opened this week, including 500 limited-edition versions. 

Going into production: The hard-top convertible is to be launched in 2026 as the Polestar 6

The prototype ‘O2’ was revealed in Los Angeles in March and shown at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. 

Polestar says is will open a UK commercial HQ and customer Test Drive Hub at Bicester Heritage, Oxon, in December so potential customers can experience electric cars on and off track. 

Polestar aims to deliver 290,000 vehicles globally by 2025, with 8,000 already on UK roads alone.

Polestar is pioneering a ‘haggle-free’ system for customers with staff who are not motivated by commission, with sales made online, and special boutique-style showrooms where people can see the cars in the metal.

The hard-top Polestar 6 convertible will be built on the company’s bespoke bonded aluminium platform.

The Scandinavian rival to Tesla has said the tin-top cabriolet aims to be its ‘hero’ car that ‘redefines sports roadsters for the electric age’.

Polestar chief executive Thomas Ingenlath said: ‘Polestar 6 is a perfect combination of powerful electric performance and the thrill of fresh air with the top down.

‘With the overwhelming consumer response, we took the decision to put this stunning roadster into production and I am so excited to make it a reality.’

Of the firm’s plans to establish a UK headquarters at Bicester Heritage, head of Polestar UK Jonathan Goodman said they would be investing in the Bicester site’s infrastructure, including the expansion of the EV electric vehicle charging network to support both customers and employees.

Mr Goodman said: ‘Establishing a UK commercial head office, demonstrates the importance of the UK market reflecting the rate of pure electric vehicle adoption. Bicester has an approach to automotive and future tech that really resonated with Polestar.

Powered by twin motors developing 884hp, it is expected to do rest to 62mph in 3.2 seconds up to a (limited) 155mph

The prototype ‘O2’ was revealed in Los Angeles in March and shown at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed

The hard-top Polestar 6 convertible will be built on the company’s bespoke bonded aluminium platform

Polestar aims to deliver 290,000 vehicles globally by 2025, with 8,000 already on UK roads alone

Polestar is pioneering a ‘haggle-free’ system for customers with staff who are not motivated by commission

‘As the first large-scale manufacturer to move to Bicester and as an enthusiast marque, we expect we will fit in well with the other fantastic brands already on site.’

He said the Test Drive Hub located on the ground floor of Polestar Bicester offers a welcoming environment for customers to experience the Polestar electric cars, interact with Polestar specialists and experience a test drive. Polestar Bicester will also host customer events throughout the year.

‘Polestar will supercharge Bicester Heritage with its unique approach to automotive retail, electric performance, sustainability and the future of electric vehicles.’

He added: ‘We look forward to seeing Bicester Heritage visitors, as well as existing and future Polestar customers.’

Polestar currently has a single model on sale today – the Polestar 2 – priced from £43,150 for the single-motor version which has a range of up to 297 miles and accelerates from rest to 60mph in 7 seconds.

The more powerful dual motor version costing from £49,550 has a range of up to 301 miles and accelerates from rest to 60mph in 4.5 seconds.

In October Polestar is expected to launch its pure electric SUV – Polestar 3 – before going on sale next year. It has already published some early pictures. A smaller crossover SUV – expected to be Polestar 4 – is also in the pipeline.

In October Polestar is expected to launch its pure electric SUV – Polestar 3 – before going on sale next year

Both the Polestar 6 roadster and a Polestar 5 performance four-door GT – set for launch in 2024 – are being developed in the UK by a team of 280 specialist automotive engineers based in Coventry and North Warwickshire that is set to soar to around 500 (and possibly 800 in future years). They are based at Polestar’s new research and development centre at MIRA – the Motor Industry Research Association proving ground and technology park in Nuneaton – as well as another centre down the road in Coventry, Britain’s original ‘Mo’town’ or Motor City.

The original Polestar 1 was built between 2019 and 2021 as a low-volume electric performance hybrid GT.

Spun off from Volvo in 2017 as a standalone Gothenburg-based Swedish electric vehicle manufacturer, Polestar is a subsidiary of Chinese car-maker Geely.

Polestar’s cars are currently manufactured in two facilities in China, with some future manufacturing planned in the USA.

It was recently listed as a public company on the Nasdaq.

Police showcasing blue light Brompton

As debate rages over whether cyclists should be forced to carry number plates so their road traffic offences can be more easily identified, Surrey Police are out in force on their own two wheels at the four-day British Motor Show. 

They are showcasing a police Brompton e-bicycle, which they believe is ‘the only blue light Brompton in existence’.

On your bike: Surrey Police are showcasing a police Brompton e-bicycle, which they believe is ‘the only blue light Brompton in existence’

It is used both on patrol and to help educate drivers about the safe legal gap motorists must keep from cyclists and other vulnerable road users — 1.5 metres at 30mph, but more at faster speeds. 

Surrey Roads Policing team said: ‘We use it in town centres looking for motorists on their phone, intercepting ANPR (number plate recognition) hits, catching red light jumpers, those not wearing a seat belt and other offences.’ 

But how many errant cyclists have they nicked? 

This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk