Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories?
X

2020 Polestar 1 performance plug-in hybrid powers up for production

Handsomely styled and high-performance, the first model from the Polestar electric car brand is ready to hit the road. We take it for a spin.

polestar-1-2020-01587
1 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Electric performance brand Polestar's first model, the Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid, is ready for production. But it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

polestar-1-2020-01561
2 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

With two electric motors at the rear axle and a gasoline hybrid system powering the front wheels, the Polestar 1 is good for 619 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of total torque. Mmm!

polestar-1-2020-01622
3 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

The hybrid is nearly a stroke-for-stroke recreation of the gorgeous Volvo Concept Coupe and wears the retro muscle proportions well.

polestar-1-2020-01547
4 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

The Polestar 1's paint -- available with an optional matte clear coat -- hides the coupe's near-complete carbon fiber chassis, which saves about 500 pounds versus steel construction.

polestar-1-2020-01645
5 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

The hybrid is still a hefty boi, tipping the scales at over 5,100 pounds.

polestar-1-2020-01732
6 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

With a sport-tuned suspension, plenty of grip and tons of torque on tap, the hybrid hides its heft well once it hits the road.

polestar-1-2020-01553
7 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Plugging in and charging its 32-kilowatt-hour battery pack unlocks up to 70 pure rear-driven electric miles (on the European WLTP cycle) or, in Power mode, the full potential 738 all-wheel driven pound-feet.

polestar-1-2020-01550
8 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Our example attracted a lot of attention during the day's drive. The performance hybrid will face stiff competition in a strong class of battery electric vehicles in its lofty price range, however.

polestar-1-2020-01685
9 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

At $155,000, the Polestar 1 comes with some serious sticker shock. The price is justifiable considering the hybrid hardware and hand-assembled carbon fiber construction, but will buyers see it that way when cross-shopping the Porsche Taycan?

polestar-1-2020-01590
10 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

With only 1,500 examples being built, the Polestar 1 owners club will be a fairly exclusive one. Find out what we think about this hot hybrid by checking out our first drive and second drive reviews or keep clicking for even more photos of this gorgeous ride.

polestar-1-2020-01694
11 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01700
12 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01696
13 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01581
14 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01667
15 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01569
16 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01659
17 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01758
18 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01754
19 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01629
20 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01600
21 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01643
22 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01689
23 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01625
24 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01638
25 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01649
26 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01683
27 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01752
28 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01680
29 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01614
30 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01598
31 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01555
32 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01746
33 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01617
34 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01650
35 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01563
36 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01703
37 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01716
38 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01558
39 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01655
40 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01565
41 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01583
42 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01612
43 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01660
44 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01705
45 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01577
46 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01634
47 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01653
48 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01596
49 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01727
50 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01690
51 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01607
52 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01641
53 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01674
54 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01668
55 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01718
56 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01698
57 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01725
58 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01729
59 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01714
60 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
polestar-1-2020-01720
61 of 61 Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

More Galleries

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)
yamaha01.jpg

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)

16 Photos
CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)
dia-de-los-muertos-3318-001.jpg

CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)

9 Photos
2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars
conceptss01_440.jpg

2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars

14 Photos
Best sound bars under $300
polk-magnifi-mini-15.jpg

Best sound bars under $300

18 Photos
2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke reports for diesel duty
2018 Ford F-150 diesel

2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke reports for diesel duty

22 Photos
Music-friendly cell phone accessories

Music-friendly cell phone accessories

11 Photos
Cosplay at Comic-Con 2016: From Stormtroopers to Sansa Stark
dsc0515.jpg

Cosplay at Comic-Con 2016: From Stormtroopers to Sansa Stark

34 Photos