With a less-is-more approach, the Polestar 2 Core Edition offers a more value-for-money entry into the Swedish brand. 

What first comes to mind when you think of Sweden? IKEA, and probably ABBA.

But there's plenty more that has come out of Sweden besides flat-pack furniture, meatballs and impossibly-catchy pop songs. Founded as a standalone brand just eight years ago and headquartered in Torslanda, Sweden, Polestar is a design-forward electric performance brand that wants to put its Scandinavian mark on the EV landscape.

To that end, the Polestar 2 Core Edition is a Singapore-exclusive offering that invites Singapore drivers to experience electrification with a Swedish twist.

Here's five ways that the Polestar 2 Core Edition delivers on its less-is-more approach:

1. Premium entry

With the Polestar 2 Core Edition, the brand seeks to deliver premium quality at an approachable price point.

Given the price sensitivity of customers (especially with COE premiums where they are today), it is understandable that brands typically offer cars with reduced performance to negotiate the COE system and duck into a more palatable category.

The Polestar 2 Core Edition is a Singapore-exclusive offering, and marks the entry-point to the Swedish brand

At the sub-$200,000 price point that the Polestar 2 Core Edition is being pitched, most EV offerings will understandably be offered with a detuned powertrain to make it Cat A-eligible. Yet, the Polestar 2 Core Edition remains a Cat B model (power stands at 170kW), offering buyers seeking extra performance a value buy.

However, as the name would suggest, this model aims to deliver the essential Polestar qualities, with a streamlined feature set to ensure that the model remains competitively priced. Performance is core to the brand identity, and so naturally the car's output remains unchanged. Essential functions like safety and driver assistance systems all come as standard. And of course, premium quality and the requisite Swedish luxury is core to the Polestar experience.

The car's sleek design is marked by sharp, clean lines, and the lighting signature is immediately recognisable

2. Minimalist design

It's perhaps fitting that this less-is-more offering works in concert with the brand's broader positioning.

Take for example the car's design - sleek and minimalist, with a heavy dose of Scandinavian chic and simplicity. The exterior is defined by clean lines and simple yet elegant shapes. With it's raised ride height and fastback silhouette, it also cuts a distinct figure on the road.

Also immediately distinguishable is the car's lighting signature: Signature DRLs at the front, square-bracket-shaped lights at the back.

The infotainment interface is thoughtfully designed and easy to use, while rear passengers can also expect to lounge in premium comfort

3. Chic functionality

That minimalist aesthetic also extends into the cabin. With a simplified approach to functionality, the cabin's pared back design focuses on delivering a calm and soothing ambience, together with an approachable user experience.

Here, the focus on functionality is clear - you won't find gimmicky rotating screens, or be inundated with extraneous features. The infotainment system is thoughtfully organised and simple-to-operate, while physical controls have been pared back to the essential functions. Even the streamlined colours on the digital screens are consistent with the broader aesthetic - making sure there isn't any sensory overload. 

Premium comfort is the name of the game - the genuine leather upholstery means that all passengers on board will be lounging comfortably, and build quality is high throughout. And on the design-front, muted tones and simply composed lines have a soothing and calming effect.

The 405-litre boot is easily accessed via the liftback

The Polestar 2 Core Edition comes standard with an extensive suite of safety and driver assistance systems

4. Practical living

With the Polestar 2 Core Edition, the streamlined equipment list means that you get what's essential and important, and the car remains as practical as ever.

The liftback offers easy and convenient access to the 405-litre boot, which also has practical touches like the flip up boot partition with integrated hooks. An additional 35-litre storage compartment under the bonnet is handy for storing the charging cable, or other items as well.

The car also comes as standard with an extensive suite of safety systems, useful driver assistance features such as Pilot Assist, as well as four cameras providing a 360-degree view to facilitate parking.

With 170kW and 330Nm of instant electric torque, the Polestar 2 Core Edition delivers effortless acceleration and ample performance

5. Approachable performance

The single electric motor produces 170kW and 330Nm of torque, offering brisk acceleration delivered in noiseless manner. The 69kWh battery delivers up to 478km of range.

But beyond the raw numbers, the Polestar 2 also finds a nice balance between cruising comfort and dynamic road holding - alert enough when driven eagerly, but also smooth and easy-going when there are passengers aboard.

You can also adjust the steering weight, level of regenerative braking, as well as choose whether the car creeps, allowing you to customise the driving experience to you own preference.

Premium approach

Where others might take a brashly-loud approach to getting heard, the Polestar approach is instead of a quieter (but no less forward-looking) disposition. Amidst an increasingly crowded segment, Polestar is staking its Swedish claim against the likes of American/Chinese competition. And the brand looks to deliver performance and premium quality in equal measure - yet always executed with a sleekness that buyers come to expect from a Swedish brand.

The Polestar 2 Core Edition serves as an entry into the Polestar brand, and the less-is-more approach is clear - the streamlined feature set gives buyers a more value-for-money option, while still retaining essential qualities that mark it out as a distinctive and recognisable Polestar product.

The Polestar 2 Core Edition is currently offered at a promotional price of $186,000 inclusive of COE (price correct at time of publication, subject to terms and conditions). You can click here to find out more and book a test drive.