2022 Polestar 2: Performance Software Upgrade announced, Australia likely
A circa-$1500 software upgrade boosts the Polestar 2 electric car’s power and torque outputs, and cuts its 0-100km/h time to better rival the Tesla Model 3.
Volvo electric spin-off brand Polestar has given its new 2022 Polestar 2 electric car a shot in the arm, quietly announcing a Performance Software Upgrade for certain European markets – and in time, Australia.
Previewed by the ‘Beast’ prototype shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Polestar’s catchily-named Performance Software Upgrade is available solely on the range-topping Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor variant, and boosts outputs from 300kW/660Nm, to 350kW and 680Nm.
The 0-100km/h time drops as a result, from 4.7 to 4.4 seconds – matching the hot Polestar’s main rival, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range – and is said to improve acceleration between 70 and 130km/h. There’s no word on the update’s effect on driving range, versus the standard car’s 480km WLTP claim.
Also included in the Performance Software Upgrade are replacement stickers from the front doors listing the car’s new power output, along with a Polestar Engineered sticker for the front grille – applying the nameplate typically used on high-performance, Polestar-tuned Volvo models.
However, despite making no physical changes to the car’s electric motors, the update isn’t free, nor available worldwide; instead, it’s priced at “approximately” €1000 ($AU1570), with the upgrade to launch first in 10 European markets, including the UK, Netherlands and Sweden.
Australian availability is yet to be confirmed, however Drive expects it will be available to local buyers after deliveries commence in January 2022. Local pricing also remains unconfirmed.
The Performance Software Upgrade will be available for all Long Range Dual Motor variants – irrespective of whether the $AU8000 Performance Pack is fitted – though only for cars owned outright (or financed) by an individual, with leased and fleet vehicles excluded.
It’s not clear if the upgrade transfers between the vehicle’s first and second owners, though Polestar confirms that if the car’s first owner didn’t purchase the upgrade, second or third owners aren’t able to do so at a later date.
Polestar says the upgrade will take up to two weeks to be delivered – a timeframe linked to the delivery of the stickers, rather than the internet-connected software update.
While the Performance Software Upgrade sees the road-ready Polestar 2 match July’s Beast prototype on power, it lacks the rest of the Goodwood car’s upgrades, including wider wheel arches, 21-inch wheels, six-piston Akebono brakes, three-way dampers, a lower ride height, stiffer springs, and new strut bars.
Priced from $69,900 before on-road costs in Long Range Dual Motor form, the Polestar 2 range will arrive in Australia in January 2022 (and we’ve driven it), as a rival for the top-selling Tesla Model 3.
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