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Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/traffic-police-to-add-electric-polestar-2-to-highway-patrol-fleet-in-2024 SINGAPORE - A fleet of 19 quick, silent and exhaust-free electric Polestar 2 saloons will be patrolling our expressways from 2024. The Traffic Police (TP) have picked the Swedish car out of several bidders in a public tender called in October 2022 and which closed on Jan 31, 2023. Besides Polestar (represented by local agent Wearnes Automotive), other bidders included South Korea’s Hyundai Ioniq 5 (jointly submitted by Hyundai agent Komoco and Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore), China’s BYD Seal and Germany’s BMW i4 and iX1 (all submitted by Malaysian motor group Sime Darby). Wearnes Automotive’s winning bid was around $3.8 million, which includes a maintenance programme for the cars over 10 years. According to documents in GeBiz, the other bid values were not far off, except for Hyundai’s, whose value of about $1.9 million excluded the maintenance component. The cars are tax-free and do not require certificates of entitlement. The Polestar 2 will be the dual-motor all-wheel drive variant, capable of reaching 100kmh in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 205kmh. It has an 82kWh battery, which gives it a range of around 470km on Singapore roads – provided it is not involved in repeated high-speed chases. These figures far exceed the minimum requirement in the tender, which stated that cars should be able to reach 100kmh within 8 seconds, and have a battery capacity of at least 60kWh. The Straits Times understands the first Polestar cars will be delivered in 2024, and replace ageing highway patrol vehicles from brands such as BMW, Subaru and Volvo. The new cars will be the first electric cars to wear the Traffic Police expressway patrol livery. Previous models included the diesel BMW 325d, and petrol-powered Subaru WRX, Volvo S40 and Volvo S80. The tender has an option for an additional three Polestars to be delivered, bringing the potential electric fleet to 22. Before they are delivered, the cars will be fitted with police equipment and paraphernalia. A sizeable portion of the tender value will go into retrofitting these. The TP’s move is seen as part of Singapore’s initiative to move towards cleaner energy vehicles in a bid to reduce emissions. The Government aims to ban the registration of new pure combustion engine cars from 2030, and to have all vehicles here running on cleaner energy by 2040, although it is unclear what precisely “cleaner energy” entails. Sources said other police departments are also shopping for EVs, including all-wheel-drive seven-seaters – a rarity in the electric segment. A number of law enforcement agencies in other countries have already included EVs in their fleet. In 2019, the Australian state of Victoria bought a Tesla Model X for highway patrol duties, reported EV news portal Driven. Several jurisdictions in the United States have added EVs to their fleet, including New York City, which ordered 184 Ford Mustang Mach-Es, according to Automotive News. London is trying out a fleet of Tesla Model 3s, reported The Guardian in 2021. Recently, the British police added the Polestar 2 to their fleet, although it is the pre-facelift version, unlike Singapore’s, which will be getting the latest facelifted version.

Polestar has taken the next step in its development as the electric performance brand with the reveal of the new Polestar 2. Polestar 2 is the new all-electric fastback that brings electric performance cars to a broader and increasingly progressive audience. It offers avant-garde design and a unique customer experience in the premium compact electric segment. Polestar 2 is the first electric car to compete in the marketplace around the Tesla Model 3, with the range starting at a guide price of 39,900 euros. For the first 12 months of production, guide price of the launch edition is 59,900 euros. "Polestar 2 is our first fully electric car and first volume model. Everything about it has been designed and engineered with passion and dedication. As an electric performance brand, and through the forthcoming launch of a portfolio of fully electric cars, Polestar is determined to address the world's air quality challenges. Polestar delivers electric performance cars that are great to own and drive," says Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar. Polestar 2 is a premium five-door fastback with two electric motors and a 78 kWh battery capacity that will enable a targeted range of 500 km, based on Volvo Car Group's adaptable Compact Modular Architecture platform (CMA). The 27-module battery pack is integrated into the floor and contributes to the rigidity of the chassis as well as improves the car's noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels - road noise has been reduced by 3.7 dB compared to a traditional chassis. Polestar will answer the important question of charging Polestar 2 with a smart, convenient and extensive approach. With a connected digital solution available both in-car and on mobile devices, Polestar is setting up strategic collaborations to give Polestar 2 owners easy and hassle-free access to the world's largest public charging networks. For Polestar, performance underlies the entire driving experience. The all-wheel drive electric powertrain in Polestar 2 produces 300 kW (408 hp) and 660 Nm (487 lb-ft). This translates to a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of less than 5 seconds. The standard dynamic chassis can be enhanced by the Performance Pack that improves driving dynamics with Öhlins dampers, Brembo brakes and unique 20-inch forged wheels. Polestar's signature gold seat belts, brake callipers and valve caps complete the performance visuals. Highlighting the technology spearhead role that Polestar plays within the Volvo Car Group, Polestar 2 is one of the first cars in the world to embed an infotainment system powered by Android. The Android backbone provides a solid and adaptable digital environment for apps and vehicle functions to coexist, and brings embedded Google services to a car for the first time - including the Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store. Natural voice control and a new 11-inch touch screen display bring the new interface to life. Phone-as-Key technology enables car sharing and a more integrated ownership experience, as well as Polestar's connected services such as pick-up and delivery. It also allows Polestar 2 to sense the driver upon approach. Smart features like enlarged graphics in the instrument cluster allow the driver to easily see the charging status and range before entering the car. Polestar 2 can also predetermine the driver's next move to create a seamless experience with a prepared cabin and quick start sequence. Maximilian Missoni, head of Design at Polestar, comments: "We decided to bring something different to the segment. Our avant-garde design has evolved from Polestar 1 into an edgier, bolder statement. We have also designed a standard vegan interior with progressive textiles that will appeal to the forward-thinking audience who will subscribe to Polestar 2." Design-led features include Pixel LED headlights and proximity lighting which enable a unique welcome sequence, Polestar's now-signature frameless side mirrors and the unique illuminated Polestar logo, which is reflected onto the car's panoramic glass roof. In common with all Polestar cars, Polestar 2 will only be available for ordering online. The guide purchase price for the launch version of Polestar 2 is 59,900 euros with subscription pricing to follow at a later date. Pre-orders are open at polestar.com. Production of Polestar 2 begins in early 2020 in China for global markets in both left- and right-hand drive. Polestar 2 will make its first public appearance at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show in March, and then embark on a global roadshow in Europe, North America and China throughout 2019. Polestar 2 will also be available in a network of soon-to-be-opened Polestar Spaces that will provide physical viewing and test drive opportunities. Initial launch markets include China, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Other markets are under consideration for future expansion.

My personal opinion is that the Model 3 is the better looking car and is where I would put my money (not that I have any). I used to think that it looks identical to the Mazda3, at least the frontal and side profile but after having driven one, I concede my impression did changed for the better. I don't know about the Polestar 2 but the surround sound system in the Model 3 Performance is superb 😆 Plus the oddly tall ride height of the Polestar 2 resembles a crossover more than a sedan, and that's not exactly to my liking. Read our comparison review on the Model 3 vs Polestar 2 here https://www.sgcarmart.com/news/review.php?AID=1889 The banner is in yellow and blue for obvious reasons...

You probably know a bit about Polestar by now – the racing team that became Volvo’s tuning arm, that became a standalone electric performance brand in 2017. You might even have gazed longingly at the company’s first car, the Polestar 1, a 600bhp plug-in hybrid coupe costing €155,000 and limited to 1,500 units. But frankly the 1 is just eye candy - in Polestar’s masterplan, the 2 is the one that matters. This is Polestar’s Tesla Model 3 rival, and it’s not shying away from the fact either, name-checking the Model 3 in the fourth line of its press release. And why wouldn’t you? Tesla is close to selling 500,000 a year of its first, truly mass-market EV because it offers a range of over 300 miles, it’s fast, it appeals to tech lovers and it’s relatively affordable. Polestar has been taking notes. The 2 is an all-electric, 4WD, five-door saloon-shaped hatchback – or ‘fastback’ according to Polestar - with a 311-mile range from its 78kWh battery, 402bhp and a 0-62mph time of less than five seconds. By comparison the long-range, AWD Model 3 (that’s not the 444bhp M3-rivalling performance version, by the way) has a 338-mile range (the longest of any WLTP certified EV) from its 74kWh battery, 341bhp and 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds. Spot any similarities? Not that we’re complaining you understand… And then there’s the price. The launch version of the Polestar 2 (the only one available for the first year of production, which starts in early 2020) costs €59,900, although Polestar will offer a subscription-style plan (prices TBC) that includes one monthly payment to cover everything except charging. The long-range, AWD Model 3 starts at €58,800. The Model 3 looks a bit generic, the kind of car a 10-year old might doodle, the Polestar is much sharper – all taught creases and Swedish minimalism. The Volvo fans out there will have spotted this is almost identical to the Volvo 40.2 concept from 2016, except for the addition of smaller, more aero efficient, framelesss wing mirrors - a Polestar patent, no less - and a full width light bar at the back.