Polestar 2 gets a 68HP power boost through a paid update, no subscription required
Polestar is delivering a not-so-subtle snub to Mercedes’ subscription efficiency improve. The automaker has launched an replace that provides the Polestar 2’s lengthy vary twin motor variant a 68HP energy enhance (plus 15lb. ft. of torque) within the US and Canada for a one-time $1,195 payment. That is removed from a trivial expense, but it surely’s a decidedly higher worth than Merc’s $1,200 annual payment for EQS and EQE acceleration enhancements.
The software program tuning provides the Polestar 2 a complete 476HP with 502lb. ft. of torque. That is sufficient to chop the 0-60MPH time to 4.2 seconds (usually 4.5), and it shaves half a second off the 50-70MPH sprint (now 2.2 seconds). Polestar says you may primarily discover the added grunt within the 44MPH to 80MPH vary, so this replace could also be most useful once you’re overtaking somebody on the freeway.
You should purchase the replace by way of the Polestar internet store, and it’ll apply over the air. It is included with a brand new car when you go for the $5,000 Efficiency pack. You will not have to go to a retailer, then. There isn’t any phrase of a comparable improve for the only motor Polestar 2 variant, or availability in different areas.
The patch will not all of the sudden give the Polestar 2 an edge over the Mannequin 3 Efficiency (0-60 in 3.3 seconds) or different notably fast EVs. And whereas it is a one-off buy, you are still paying for one thing your automotive might technically deal with earlier than — it simply wasn’t accessible when the sedan was new. You are finally compensating Polestar for growth time, not parts, and this may not be thrilling when you most well-liked the times when paid upgrades had been immediately related to raised {hardware}.
This does make the Polestar 2 simpler to justify when you crave velocity, although. And importantly, you will not have to purchase the extraordinarily uncommon BST version 270 simply to get further output. When you will not get as many track-ready options, you additionally will not should obtain an invite (or, extra doubtless, purchase a used mannequin at a premium) to get behind the wheel.
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