Polestar - aka Volvo's EV spinoff - has only launched two models launched on the market so far: Polestar 1, which went out of production just after three years of its official announcement, and the Polestar 2, which is still in production and will actually be updated for the 2022 model year. The Swedish company announced that 3, 4 and 5 will arrive in the next few years, but until then it is staying busy by playing with what it has.
The company unveiled the Polestar 2 “Arctic Circle” concept - a one-off concept with features inspired by winter rally cars.
What changes were done on the Polestar 2 Arctic Circle?
The model was built on the Polestar 2 Long-Range Dual motor with Performance Pack, but equipped with the recent software upgrade announced by Polestar. Thanks to this upgrade the one-off concept will deliver a total of 469 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque.
The biggest modification over the base Polestar 2 is its increased ride height: The suspension has also been retuned and features 30-percent softer springs and three-way performance Öhlins dampers with auxiliary adjustment chambers. All these changes increased the concept's ride height by 30 millimeters (1.18 inches).
The concept rides on custom-made 19-inch wheels wrapped in winter tires sized 245/35 R19 with no fewer than 490 studs per tire. Front and rear strut braces have been fitted to increase torsional rigidity and steering responsiveness, but the standard four-piston Brembo front brakes were kept. Polestar also installed a new launch control system, still in its prototype form, integrated via steering wheel-mounted paddles.
Other upgrades include a four Stedi Quad Pro LED front lights and unique exterior livery in matte grey and white for the exterior look and custom-upholstered Recaro front bucket seats in charcoal with Swedish gold branding on the interior. The concept also comes equipped with a carbon fiber snow shovel and a recovery strap, while a carbon fiber skid plate placed on the front bumper offers additional under-body protection.