Polestar’s new SUV has been revealed in all its electric glory. And, in keeping with the company’s keenness on uncomplicated monikers, it is simply called the 3.
Details were scant in advance of the launch, with a single teaser image released a few weeks beforehand. However, those present at the global unveiling were able to enjoy the sleek and distinctly modern-looking vehicle in all its glory, which will certainly stand out from its boxier competitors in any SUV identity parade.
In fact, design is integral to the character of the 3.
Unlike some electric cars, there is no fake grille on the 3, with the front being dominated by what Polestar aficionados are calling the "Thor’s hammer headlight design".
An aero wing integrated into the bonnet complements a similar set-up at the rear, with both elements designed to lower drag and improve the vehicle’s range.
At the back, there is a full-length rear headlight, which has a passing resemblance to Robocop’s visor, but thankfully all similarities between car and hardline cyborg end there.
Power in the 3 comes from a 360kW or 380kW battery (the latter if you opt for what Polestar calls the Performance Pack, which zips everything up a notch).
Speed-wise, the two versions plateau out at 210 kilometres per hour, but the faster model usurps its standard sibling by reducing the 0 to 100kph time from 5 seconds to 4.7.
The company says the car has a range of up to 610km and a charging time of a mere half hour, which is a distinct bonus.
It’s worth noting that these figures may change a little, as the car, while looking and feeling like a finished product, is still undergoing final testing. There is little chance of many alterations though, if past launches are anything to go by.
Inside, there is a sports-inspired seating position and lowered dashboard. It is an SUV, not a people mover, Polestar asserts, so there won’t be any option for a third row of seats.
Features include a nine-inch digital cluster, 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a panoramic sunroof.
As Polestar is keen to emphasise with all its products, it’s all about innovation. Much of the inside is made up of a natural fibre composite, which is made from European-grown flax.
Even the names Polestar has given the colours the 3 comes in exude vibrancy, with options including Thunder, Space, Midnight, Jupiter, Snow and Magnesium.
If water allusions are your bag, the formal unveiling was more of a tsunami than a splash, with around 900 people from around the world piling into Copenhagen’s Train Workshop for the grand unveiling.
Polestar had flown in its big guns for the occasion, with chief executive Thomas Ingenlath leading the charge.
The choice of venue proved a mystery to some, with Polestar being a Swedish brand, but it turned out the masterminds behind the brand deemed the Danish capital’s old-style former railway repair yard (known officially as the Lokomotivværkstedet) to be a fun place to show off its ultra-modern product.
The contrast was evident, and one had a very real sense of being present at an event where automotive history was being made.
The First deliveries of the 3 will begin in 2023, with prices starting at $85,300.
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Racecard
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
9.30pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
ABU DHABI ORDER OF PLAY
Starting at 10am:
Daria Kasatkina v Qiang Wang
Veronika Kudermetova v Annet Kontaveit (10)
Maria Sakkari (9) v Anastasia Potapova
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Ons Jabeur (15)
Donna Vekic (16) v Bernarda Pera
Ekaterina Alexandrova v Zarina Diyas
