The Polestar 4’s driving impression embargo is formally up, and usually, most are digging into what the rear windowless four-door crossover is providing. It’s stylish, sharp to drive, and comparatively moderately priced. After all, the dearth of a rear window isn’t everybody’s cup of tea (it definitely wasn’t mine). Nonetheless, the Polestar’s robust execution reveals off that its Geely SEA-based roots are a powerful base for future growth of any future Geely, Zeekr, Polestar, Volvo, Lotus, or any producer or model that makes use of the platform.
Nonetheless, whereas driving Polestar 4 in Spain, I couldn’t assist however marvel: was this really the most effective this automobile could possibly be? On, paper and maybe a bit behind the wheel, it didn’t really feel prefer it was the most effective iteration of the SEA platform I had pushed. Consider me, I’d know. I had pushed practically all of them a couple of weeks earlier than on a Beijing racetrack.
Zeekr Outsells Polestar
Each Zeekr and Polestar are absolutely electrical manufacturers run by the Chinese language firm Geely. In 2023, Polestar bought 54,626 automobiles globally. By comparability, Zeekr bought 118,685 globally throughout the identical time interval.
On paper, the Zeekr 001 could be the greatest worth SEA-based automobile. Dynamically, it’s down to non-public style whether or not the Zeekr or Polestar is the higher car. From a technical standpoint, the Zeekr 001 is the extra superior automobile. It has ultra-stiff mega-cast single-piece chassis members and an 800-volt electrical structure that makes it one of many fastest-charging EVs on the planet.
Regardless of the Polestar 4 and Zeekr 001 being made in the identical manufacturing facility (till Geely’s South Korean plant is up and working, which can make the Polestar 4), the Polestar 4 misses out on these upgrades. So as to add insult to damage, the Chinese language market Zeekr 001 is barely cheaper than the Chinese language market Polestar 4. It isn’t nice for a model that basically must up its gross sales in China in addition to in all places else.
Whereas evaluating the Polestar 4 in Spain, I requested Polestar’s CEO, Thomas Ingenlath, if the model plans to combine the upgrades from the refreshed Zeekr 001.
“Sure expertise upgrades we are going to do with them….however there’s a really massive cultural distinction between manufacturers,” he stated. “Sure, we are going to do sure issues along with [Zeekr], however we don’t do every part and each motion collectively, as a result of it has to suit our model and our objectives.” Though Ingelnath was blissful to have entry to the Geely toolbox, it’s unclear if the Polestar 4 would get some updates that would enhance the charging and driving expertise.
The Zeekr 001s bought exterior of China are pre-facelift fashions with out the megacast rear finish or the 800-volt structure. If Polestar managed to deliver these upgrades to the 4, it’d be the fastest-charging electrical crossover on sale in america. The up to date Zeekr 001 can cost from 10-80% in lower than 12 minutes, peaking at speeds of over 500 kW.
Hopefully, Polestar will see the sunshine and we’ll get an up to date Polestar 4 with a fair stiffer chassis and show-stopping charging skills.
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