Volvo Polestar 1: The New Age hybrid Car
Volvo is Swedish automotive manufacturer since 1927. With the uprising of electric cars, Volvo is clearly focussing on the segment with the new brand called Polestar. From 2017, Polestar is separately branded electric car company. The first car in the series is named Volvo Polestar 1.
Polestar 1 is Volvo’s first car from Polestar brand which is a hybrid. All subsequent cars Polestar 2 and 3 will be pure electric cars. Polestar 1 is intentionally manufactured as a hybrid as it connects current infrastructure situation with future. Currently, electric charging stations are not available throughout the world.
In addition, Volvo will manufacture the Polestar 1 from mid-2019. Polestar 1 is two-by-two seater Grand Tourer coupe. The car features an electric performance hybrid drivetrain. Volvo built an entirely new scalable platform architecture called SPA. The entire car body is of Carbon Fibre. As a result, it substantially reduces the body weight by 230 kg while this reduction in weight also results in an increase of torsional stiffness of 45%. Hence, the car will be better in handling, driveability, and performance.
Path-breaking technology in Volvo Polestar 1:
Polestar is implementing new technology never seen before. The introduction of double electric rear axles, planetary gears, and torque vectoring feature. Both will result in separating the power from each electric rear motor while driving through corners.
Traditionally, traction control system applies brakes on the inner rear wheel, slowing the car down around corners. So, in case of Ppoletstar 1, you can move swiftly around corners at fast speeds with this technological advancement.
Furthermore, the important upgrade is in the suspension department. The car is fitted with state of the art chassis with all new Ohlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi). Each individual Ohlins shock absorber comes with an electronic valve. This valve continuously monitors the drive terrain and driver inputs; reacting in two milliseconds to change the ride characters as per demands.
In addition, the driver can change the suspension setting as per his/her needs. The system can tailor the chassis damping and ride quality as per the need. The powerful braking system is provided by Akebono. The 6-piston brake caliper with 400-millimeter disc provides excellent braking performance.
What’s under the Hood of the Polestar 1?
The Polestar 1 is first performance hybrid that can cover a distance of 150kms in pure electric mode. The two motors with integrated starter generator produce 218 hp. The two electric motors with Volvo drive-e two-liter four-cylinder petrol engine produces massive 600hp and 1000Nm of torque.
The all-new owning experience:
Polestar entirely reworked the owning experience of the car. The core of the business model is monthly subscription payment. The payment is all inclusive, no deposit. Also, there is no headache of maintenance and insurance cost. The flat monthly payment also includes pickup, delivery, and servicing. While Polestar arranges for scheduled maintenance according to customers convenient time. So, there is no extra cost involved. Just pay a monthly subscription and that’s enough. On-demand services are available and you can access them via polestar app.
Let’s say if you want roof box fitted for your vacation. Just open the app and demand it. The company will add a number of such services to your monthly invoice. The polestar will be utilizing mobile phone as a key technology. So, there is no need for a physical key. The polestar app also allows transferring virtual key to any user or driver. The subscription will be for two to three years. So, after the subscription ends, the customer simply returns the car. Polestar collects it and deliverers a new one. The company then refurbishes the old car. And, it will make the car available for the next customer.
In conclusion, Volvo is all set to shake the electric car market with state of the art service never seen before. So, with ground-up design and path-breaking technology Polestar will set a benchmark in the auto industry.
Watch Introducing Polestar 1:
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