Positive, the headlights and taillights are cribbed proper from Polestar’s Swedish daddy, however the whole lot between them is contemporary as all get-out. This coupe is lengthy, low and extensive, actually gorgeous proportions that stand out in an ever-growing sea of SUVs. It is not a busy design, both; other than a couple of main creases to emphasise its energy, the carbon fiber physique panels are freed from pointless styling cues. Slather all of it in a $5,000 coat of flat paint, and you have fairly the dialog starter. No, severely: I have not obtained this a lot consideration driving a automobile since I final had a McLaren.

Whereas a fast look via the Polestar 1’s window could depart you pondering that the corporate nicked your complete cabin from Volvo, you’d solely be partially proper. Sure, the final structure is identical, however the materials alternative is much extra premium. The Nappa leather-based seats are endlessly delicate with the correct quantity of help, and there is pretty actual steel and tasteful matte carbon fiber trim. The Polestar’s single-piece crystal shifter is sort of the sight, as properly, and appears nice when the solar hits it… which is mainly on a regular basis, because the roof is nearly solely glass.

It is fairly apparent {that a} six-figure Swedish Hellcat is not probably the most sensible car on the planet. Inside storage choices are restricted to the glove field, door panels and cup holders; the middle armrest cubby is so shallow that I can barely shove a single iPhone 11 Professional in there. Moving into the rear is a hilarious train in ready a full minute for an influence seat to creep ahead, however except you’re a little one (through which case, how did you purchase this automobile?) you will not match again there anyway. In truth, the rear seats are higher off being handled because the trunk, as a result of the Polestar 1’s precise trunk is usually crammed with batteries. Sure, it is cool that I can see them via a bit window, however at 4.three cubic ft, I barely have room for groceries in what little cargo house stays.

However the Polestar 1 is not about practicality, and that is evident from its powertrain. Underneath the hood is a 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged inline-Four gasoline engine. It mates to an built-in starter-generator and an eight-speed automated transmission, sending 326 horsepower and 321 pound-feet of torque to the entrance axle solely. The again half of the equation is a pair of 85-kilowatt motors that ship 232 hp and 354 lb-ft to the rear tires.

Put all of it collectively, and you have a meaty 619 hp and 738 lb-ft, sufficient to shove this flat-white rocket to 60 mph in below Four seconds. But, owing to the Polestar 1’s measurement, the acceleration by no means feels brutal or stunning; it comes on instantly with that instantaneous electrical torque filling the gaps because the internal-combustion engine spins up, however because it all feels so chill because it’s occurring, it is extremely simple to overshoot posted pace limits.

Enlarge Picture

The Polestar 1’s inside could be very Volvo-heavy, however the materials high quality is greater, and the glass roof allows a ton of sunshine.

Andrew Krok/CNET

The Polestar 1 provides a number of driving modes, however solely its Energy setting unleashes the total canine and pony present. In its default Hybrid mode, it will putt round on electrical energy till I dig deep sufficient into the throttle, and the crossover from EV to ICE is fairly dang easy. It could additionally function solely as an electrical car, however as my esteemed boss famous in his evaluation of a 2020 mannequin, the Polestar 1’s 5,165-pound curb weight turns into fairly obvious when the automobile is just utilizing half of its powertrain.

However, as a result of there is a whopping 34-kilowatt-hour battery within the again, the Polestar 1’s electrical vary is prodigious. The Environmental Safety Company estimates an EV-only vary of 52 miles, however I used to be seeing estimates nearer to 60 when topped off. General, the feds declare the Polestar 1 provides 26 mpg mixed on the gasoline engine alone, or 58 MPGe when working as a hybrid. Regenerative braking might be boosted by transferring the shifter from D to B, nevertheless it’s not true one-pedal driving. I can cost the battery on the go by activating the Polestar’s 1 Cost mode or I can hold these electrons for later use in Maintain mode, within the occasion I am leaving the freeway and need to run round metropolis streets in relative silence.

Enlarge Picture

Peek into the trunk for a have a look at all of the high-voltage {hardware} that makes the Polestar 1 as enjoyable as it’s.

Andrew Krok/CNET

The remainder of the Polestar 1’s underlying bits mix to supply fairly the expertise. It rides fairly stiffly over Michigan’s pockmarked roads, however guess what? I can change that by popping the hood and adjusting the Öhlins coilover suspension to dial in some extra smoothness. In its default setting, the suspension handles weight switch excellently, slicing via twisty roads like a well-sharpened chef’s knife. The large Akebono brakes will shut the whole lot down in a rush, however they’re simple to modulate in day by day driving. The steering is direct however numb, par for the course as of late. All these components end in a grand tourer that is good at hiding its curb weight when the going will get sinewy.

In the case of cabin tech, Polestar as soon as once more leans on Papa Volvo. The portrait show on the dashboard runs the Sensus Join infotainment system. I like its Google integration, and I like that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto solely take up a part of the display screen when working, nevertheless it nonetheless takes ages to get up on a chilly begin and it isn’t as responsive as I want it was. The Polestar 2’s homebrewed Android-powered infotainment system is a lot better, to be sincere. Volvo’s security tech is current, and it’s as pretty as ever, masking all the standard stuff like automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help and blind-spot monitoring. I can solely think about what it prices to repair a carbon fiber physique panel coated in matte paint.

Enlarge Picture

Holding Apple CarPlay to solely a portion of the show is a great thought, in case there’s one thing else within the system that wants accessing in a rush.

Andrew Krok/CNET

Which brings me to the worth. The Polestar 1 stickers at a hefty $156,500, together with $1,500 for vacation spot. Throw in that matte paint job, and my tester rings in at $161,500. You are in the suitable spot if you’d like a stand-alone assertion piece, since they’re solely constructing 1,500 of those and manufacturing ends later this yr.

However if you wish to cross-shop, the Polestar 1 is in a wierd place. You’ll be able to simply spend that a lot cash on a full EV, whether or not it is a Tesla Mannequin S Plaid or a Porsche Taycan Turbo S. If you happen to aren’t fairly able to ditch your internal-combustion engine, the Polestar finds itself staring down sensible phase stalwarts just like the Audi R8, Mercedes-AMG GT and Porsche 911. If you happen to’re after one thing nearer to a grand tourer in taste, there are the also-excellent Lexus LC or the Mercedes-Benz SL.

The Polestar 1 is a really attention-grabbing type of aberration. Since Polestar is electric-only beginning with the two, what you see right here won’t ever be made once more, nor will Polestar use its underpinnings for future automobiles. It is a actually restricted version, and it rewards the brave purchaser with immense model and spectacular efficiency underpinned by equally spectacular powertrain know-how.