The Green Lane: Polestar 1 Review

The Green Lane: Polestar 1 Review

Motoring editor Jeremy Taylor and sustainable fashion expert Jessica Saunders discuss the Polestar 1 – a future classic you can own now

Read All Our Electric Car Reviews by Jeremy

Image courtesy of Polestar 1

JS – I have to say, the 1 is one of my favourite cars of the moment. Aston Martin doesn’t make an electric car but if they did, it would surely look as stylish as the Polestar.

JT – Yes, I agree. Polestar 1 is probably the coolest car this side of the Arctic Circle. The Swedish coupe was the first model from future-thinking brand Polestar – a newbie company currently launching a range of stylish, all-electric family cars that will likely rival Tesla.

The 1 has been around for a while – why are we driving it now?

Although the 1 arrived in 2019 and will soon be discontinued, those svelte good looks, electrifying performance and limited edition production numbers should ensure the Polestar becomes a future classic.

It’s good Polestar major on ‘circularity’ – a set of principles that ensure society produces and consume within the boundaries of the planet.

From the design and materials to sourcing and assembly in Sweden, Polestar is making it a key principle.

Image courtesy Polestar 1

Any examples of that?

One of the most interesting is longevity. The company plans to refurbish and repair pre-owned Polestars to give them a second life. That involves building with modular components to help maintain the car’s value through its lifetime.

I read that they will repurpose the batteries in their electric cars too?

The easier batteries are to disassemble, repair and remanufacture, the longer their useful life. Batteries can be re-purposed for non-automotive use, such as storing wind or solar energy at a domestic property.

The Polestar 1 isn’t pure electric is it?

No, it was a halo car to launch the brand but from now on, every Polestar will be battery-driven only. In the 1, power is from a modest, 2.0-litre petrol engine, supercharged and turbocharged to produce 326 bhp. But that’s only half the story. The back wheels are driven by two electric motors, linked to a 34 kWh battery that together pumps out an extra 232 bhp.

The boot is tiny but what’s inside will surprise most people

A unique selling point is the battery pack, mounted in a T-shape down the centre of the car and behind the rear seats. Open the boot and a smorgasbord of battery technology is displayed behind a clear screen, like the inner workings of a lunar module.

Image courtesy of Polestar 1

And the unique styling ensures the Polestar 1 looks like nothing else on the road. It’s quite a conversation starter at the petrol station. Especially as it actually travels 93 miles on battery power alone.

Polestar 1 is not the fastest grand tourer on the market and the ride is firm. Otherwise, it’s a sparkling car with an eye-watering gem of a price – £140,000 for the final production run version – or about the same as your Aston Martin!

Just a shame you can only buy it in left-hand drive.

Indeed, but the Polestar is also a new millennium gamechanger, launched as the flagship model to an all-new brand. It has the right sustainability credentials and should be a ‘keeper’ for savvy enthusiasts hunting a future classic, as well as great fun to drive now.

Jessica Saunders is Director of Programmes at London College of Fashion, studying for a PhD in sustainable e-textile design

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Main image: Courtesy of Polestar 1