Polestar, Volvo’s electric performance sub-brand, has unveiled its first pure EV.

The Polestar 2 is an “avant-garde 5-door fastback” that offers all-wheel drive, 300 kW of power, 660 Nm of torque, an estimated range of 275 miles, and a 0-100 km/h time of less than five seconds. It sports front and rear DC-AC inverters, a 27-module battery with 78 kWh of capacity (72 kWh in China), and EFAD + ERAD permanent magnet motors.

There’s an 11 kW on-board charger, and DC fast charging is included, at power levels up to 150 kW.

An optional performance package will feature Brembo brakes and adjustable Öhlins dampers.

“This is not a battery with a chassis on top,” says Polestar, but rather “one system operating in harmony. This symbiosis is achieved, in part, because the battery has a number of features that make it more than just a power source. The battery’s inherent rigidity adds torsional stiffness to the car, improving handling and responsiveness. Due to its size, it reduces noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) by 3.7 dB, making the Polestar 2 an exceptionally quiet electric car.”

The Polestar 2 will have a starting price of 39,900 euros ($45,400). A special launch edition will start at 59,900 euros ($68,200).

The new EV will be built in China, and will be available in 2020, but customers can already configure their cars and place advance reservations. Polestar plans to take the vehicle on a road show around the world starting in early March 2019.

“The buzz around the Tesla Model 3 showed where electric mobility is relevant for society today,” said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath at a launch event. “And with Polestar 2 we bring an exciting premium electric car that will broaden the choice on offer in exactly this segment.”

Source: Polestar, CNBC