Polestar 1 was the electric performance hybrid that was revealed in October 2017 as the halo car that would launch the new Polestar brand. Engineered without compromise, Polestar 1 features a highly advanced and technically innovative powertrain, combined with the use of composite materials and leading mechanical components.

The hybrid powertrain features two electric motors on the rear axle – one for each wheel – mated to a front-mounted petrol engine which features turbo- and supercharging. A third electric motor is integrated between the crankshaft and gearbox for extra electric torque for the front wheels. Combined output is 609 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque. With two battery packs totalling 34 kWh, Polestar 1 features an all-electric range of 78 miles (WLTP) – the longest of any hybrid car in the world.

The body of Polestar 1 is made from carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) which lowers the vehicle’s weight as well as its centre of gravity. The CFRP body also allowed the car’s designers to create truly emotive styling cues that cannot be stamped into traditional metal body panels. Under the skin, a carbon fibre ‘dragonfly’ features between the front seats and the rear of the vehicle, further reinforcing the car’s chassis.

Driving dynamics are key to the Polestar experience and Polestar’s engineers spent years developing the ‘Polestar feeling’ with Polestar 1. Part of this has been the co-development of leading mechanical components – like the manually adjustable Öhlins Dual Flow Valve dampers and 6-piston Akebono brakes.

The fitment of the two rear electric motors, each with a planetary gear set, allowed engineers to develop real torque vectoring algorithms for Polestar 1. The effects of this are particularly evident during cornering – rather than slowing down the inner wheel, the outer wheel is accelerated to help the car turn more sharply. The Nm, along with sharper responses from the throttle, steering and gearbox. Top speed is limited to 155 mph and the torque vectoring also allows the driver to apply power earlier than expected on the exit of a corner, resulting in a truly exhilarating experience.

Featuring Pure, Hybrid and Power drive modes, Polestar 1 can be driven in different ways depending on the use case and driver preference. In Pure mode, the combustion engine is shut off and Polestar 1 operates as a fully electric vehicle. Total power and torque from the two rear electric motors is 170 kW and 480 Nm. In Hybrid mode, Polestar 1 utilises the electric motors and petrol engine according to demand from the driver, seamlessly switching between the two as needed.

In Power mode the electric motors and combustion engine are utilised at all times, allowing the driver to take advantage of the full 609 hp and 1,000 m, along with sharper responses from the throttle, steering and gearbox. Top speed is limited to 155 mph and the 0-62 mph sprint takes 4.2 seconds. Polestar 1 went into production at the Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China, in 2019. The facility is the only LEED Gold accredited automotive manufacturing facility in China. With an intended 3-year production run and a limited build capacity of up to 500 units per year, production of the car came to an end in late 2021. The car was retailed in Polestar’s original launch markets in Europe, North America and China.

The above car was pictured near Osmotherley in the North Yorkshire Moors by local photographer, Jai Cartwright.