POLESTAR CANADA - Polestar cars engineers its vehicles in extreme conditions in various places around the world – from the searing heat of Arizona to the bitter cold of northern Sweden. As a Swedish premium EV manufacturer, it is this especially cold environment where Polestar’s engineering expertise comes to the forefront and sets the brand apart.
Utilizing
this expertise, Polestar chief chassis engineer – and trophy winning rally
driver – Joakim Rydholm created the unique Polestar 2 ‘Arctic Circle’ as a
one-off special version of the performance-oriented electric fastback, bringing
winter rally inspiration to a Polestar for the first time. Rydholm has led the
dynamic development of Polestar vehicles for over a decade and advocates tuning
in this extreme winter environment.
“Tuning a
chassis on snow and ice allows us to develop our cars in what feels like slow
motion and with better accuracy,” says Rydholm. “With such low levels of grip,
we can feel and analyze the dynamics at a much slower pace than on tarmac,
which means we can really fine-tune the way our cars behave, down to the
smallest details. These are my absolute favorite conditions to develop cars
in.”
To make the
Polestar 2 Artic Circle, a Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor with Performance
Pack received several specific tweaks in order to be agile on snow and ice.
Changes include: a raised ride height (+1.18 in / +30 mm), increased power and
torque output (469 hp / 350 kW and 502 lb-ft / 680 Nm) and custom-made 19-inch
studded winter tires (245/35 R19), each featuring 0.16 in / 4 mm metal studs
(490 per tire).
The
three-way performance Öhlins dampers were specially designed and tuned for this
car together with Öhlins, including springs 30% softer than those found in a
road-going Polestar 2. They are set to nine clicks front and rear – slightly
softer than the standard Polestar 2 with Performance Pack setting – and the
dampers feature auxiliary adjustment chambers. Front and rear strut braces have
been fitted to increase torsional rigidity and steering responsiveness. The
4-piston Brembo front brakes from the Performance Pack are unchanged from the
production vehicle. A prototype launch control system has also been integrated
via steering wheel-mounted paddles. A carbon fiber snow shovel and a recovery
strap are mounted in the rear of the car – winter accessories that are equally
as stylish and functional.
Visually,
rally inspiration includes the fitment of 19-inch OZ Racing wheels, four Stedi
Quad Pro LED front lights and a unique exterior livery in matte grey and white.
Inside, custom-upholstered Recaro front bucket seats in charcoal are accented
by Ohlin’s “Swedish gold” branding. The front bumper features a carbon fiber
skid plate for additional underbody protection.
“I wanted
to have more fun than usual with this car – really being able to push it in
terms of performance and handling in a winter environment like a frozen lake.
The balance and predictability we have achieved with the raised ride height and
specialized tires are particularly noticeable when you enter a bend completely
sideways, with a bigger-than-usual smile on your face, and in total control,”
said Rydholm.
Executed
within the Arctic Circle at a latitude of over 66-degrees north, Polestar’s
intense winter testing program runs annually for 15 weeks from December to
March and sees teams of engineers pushing prototypes – and themselves – to the
limit.
The
Polestar 2 Arctic Circle is a unique showpiece and will not be put into
customer production.