New 2024 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Performance Pack Review: The flagship model has an edge
The update failed to cure the Polestar 2 of its firm ride, but the Long Range Dual Motor Performance Package model is fast and great to drive.
Unfortunately, the biggest issue with standards remains on this impressive Performance Pack flagship model. There needs to be more than the handling benefits to outweigh the gains in everyday comfort; the car rides too fast for most British roads. However, there are some faults elsewhere – those cross-shopping from the premium German manufacturer will find a lot to like about Polestar's latest electric vehicle. Polestar 2
Electric cars, by their nature, tend to carry quite large loads. Instant power and torque make even everyday models feel fast, while models with sporting pretensions can deliver shocks of up to six-digit supercars in traffic light drag races.
The Polestar 2, even in its most basic form, is an electric car aimed at drivers. In fact, our first test of the facelifted car found it “nice to drive” and “a good set of dampers and a slightly softer chassis setup, a far cry from the feel of a truly great electric car.”
So here we are, just a few months later, driving the revised and top-of-the-line Polestar 2 Dual Motor Performance Pack. However, this setup wasn't entirely new, having been offered on pre-facelift cars as part of expensive optional upgrades.
Nonetheless. The Performance Pack add-on costs an extra £5,000 and provides a slightly lower ride height, trick Ohlins dampers, 20-inch wheels, and Brembo brakes, plus gold detailing for things like valve covers and seat belts. You also get an extra 60bhp, thanks to a 'Performance' software upgrade. Overall, the upgrade doesn't seem like a bad value, but is it the best choice?
In short, no. Those dampers are adjustable, but you'll need a special set of tools to adjust them – not to mention a safe place to remove the rear wheel while you're at it. With the car's shipping setup, we didn't notice a noticeable difference in ride quality; this car still crosses the wrong line of what we consider acceptable for British roads.
And that's a shame because otherwise, the Polestar 2 remains a solid all-round package. Beautifully crafted inside and out, with a compact yet intuitive, snappy, and responsive Google-based infotainment system, it punches well above its weight regarding equipment and quality.
Space inside is on par with rivals such as the BMW i4 M50 and (now discontinued) Tesla Model 3 Performance, and the hatchback's boot opens to reveal a proper boot. That practicality is further aided by a solid 367-mile range which, although largely argued in real-world terms, will allow for relatively long driving stints without worry. 205kW super fast charging offers up to 10-80 percent charge in 28 minutes.
Back to those Performance Pack upgrades, where software upgrades ensure this Polestar 2 is no slouch. Throttle calibration is running; easy to modulate, but still sharp when you want it to be. Press the right pedal and the car will hurtle towards the horizon; 0-62mph takes 4.2 seconds, but we wouldn't argue if anyone said it was quicker than that.
We found the powerful regenerative braking system (which can indeed be switched off) also worked very well, reducing speed to the point of allowing true one-pedal driving. We liked it even more when driving on faster A and B roads, it slows the car down when cornering without the driver needing to touch conventional friction brakes.
Of course, the slight visual changes applied to the more affordable Single and Dual Motor models also apply here. Not too expansive, they include a new 'SmartZone' grille and, well, that's pretty much it.
The new wheel designs found on lower versions are not featured; The Performance Pack gets a unique 20-inch design, unchanged from the pre-facelift car. While it was admittedly difficult to photograph in bright sunlight, our car looked magnificent in ‘Space’ black with a contrasting ‘Zinc’ interior.
Polestar's sustainability message is strong and goes beyond just a handful of recycled materials or vegan leather alternatives. Indeed, the company confirmed earlier this year that CO2 emissions per car are now eight percent lower than in 2021. If this matters to you, few automotive businesses are working as hard to reduce their environmental impact.
Model: Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor Performance Package
Price: £57,950 (Polestar 2 from £44,950 / £68,850 as tested)
Power source: 82kWh battery, 2x e-motors
Power/torque 469bhp/740Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
0-62mph: 4.2 seconds
Top speed: 127mph
Range/charging: 367 miles/205kW, 10-80% in 28 minutes
Length width height: 4.606/1.859/1.473mm
On sale: Now
