Polestar’s first all-electric car was only available in one configuration when it introduced last year: a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive model that cost roughly $50,000 before incentives. The manufacturer is diversifying its lineup for the coming year. Polestar is releasing a single-motor, two-wheel-drive version of the sedan that has many of the same characteristics as the dual-motor Polestar 2 but with a few tweaks that make it more accessible, enticing, and environmentally friendly for individuals considering making the conversion to electric vehicles. We put it to the test recently on a drive.
The 2022 Polestar 2 single motor delivers a range of 270 miles, a little less power, and fewer choices, but lots of technology to make your trip easier, according to Polestar. Rather than having two motors driving all four wheels, as the dual-motor version does, this single-motor variant sends all 231 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels.
A 78 kWh battery pack resides under the floor between the front and rear wheels of the 2022 Polestar 2 single motor. Polestar claims a 75-kilowatt-hour useful capacity. The Polestar 2 twin motor uses the same battery pack. Polestar can and has released over-the-air upgrades to all of its vehicles to assist improve charging times and optimize battery settings.
A mechanical heat pump (available in the Plus Pack for $4,000 extra) is also an option for the 2022 Polestar 2 Single motor cars, which helps keep the charge in colder locations.
According to Polestar, the heat pump will scavenge heat from the ambient air to improve the vehicle’s range by up to 10% in certain temperature conditions. According to Polestar’s calculations, the heat pump may provide the 2022 Polestar 2 Single motor an extra 27 miles of range.
The fully equipped Launch Edition has dropped for this model year. The Polestar 2 Single motor replaces it, with a simpler and less laden layout that includes a metal roof rather than the Launch Edition’s glass roof, ecologically friendly upholstery, and a selection of accessory “packs,” as Polestar calls them.
The Plus Pack adds a heat pump, a glass panoramic roof, Harman Kardon premium audio, and a wireless phone charger to the vehicle (amongst other things). This pack was on the Polestar 2 prototype that I drove.
You may also pay an extra $3,200 for the Pilot Pack, which features adaptive cruise control and LED external lighting. Unfortunately, the car I drove did not have the improved ADAS system, so I was unable to try out the Level 2 driver assistance aids that Polestar claims are available.
