[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/polestar-1-prototype-starts-production\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/polestar-1-prototype-starts-production\/","headline":"Polestar 1 Prototype Starts Production","name":"Polestar 1 Prototype Starts Production","description":"First ever standalone Polestars set for life of misery Polestar – formerly Volvo\u2019s performance division – has taken a significant step towards becoming a standalone brand after the first batch of roadworthy prototype cars rolled off the production line. The \u00a3135k Polestar 1 two-door hybrid will be the newly separated brand\u2019s first model, so you may think that the initial lot of completed models would be treasured for posterity. But nope, all 34 of these road-going verification prototypes will be […]","datePublished":"2018-10-04","dateModified":"2018-10-09","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Polestar-1-production-feature-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Polestar-1-production-feature-1.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/polestar-1-prototype-starts-production\/","about":["Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS","Sports, Performance & Prestige Cars"],"wordCount":378,"keywords":["Polestar","Polestar 1","volvo"],"articleBody":"First ever standalone Polestars set for life of miseryPolestar – formerly Volvo\u2019s performance division – has taken a significant step towards becoming a standalone brand after the first batch of roadworthy prototype cars rolled off the production line.The \u00a3135k Polestar 1 two-door hybrid will be the newly separated brand\u2019s first model, so you may think that the initial lot of completed models would be treasured for posterity.But nope, all 34 of these road-going verification prototypes will be subjected to all sorts of deranged torture. Some will be flung into walls at high speeds (otherwise known as crash tests).Others will be stranded in the middle of nowhere to withstand the most brutal conditions (often referred to as weather testing). Finally, a few will simply be given an untamed hiding around a race circuit (as part of a good old on-road assessment).How fast is the Polestar 1?Capable of racing from nought to 62mph in under four seconds, the Polestar 1 combines the efforts of a 338bhp two-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and rear electric motors offering the equivalent of 215bhp.It will also have a battery big enough to drive for more than 90 miles on electric power alone.Unlike most hybrids where an electric powertrain is shoehorned into a petrol car, the Polestar 1 has been developed in reverse. This electric focus means it reports the longest pure electric driving range of any hybrid car in the world (93.2 miles).How is production going?Steady. Because the Polestar 1 is largely built by hand at a specialised prototype production facility in Gothenburg. So you can understand why they\u2019re not pumping out them by the hundreds.The carbon fibre body of the Polestar 1 required the development of new specialised production equipment and construction techniques that will be transferred to the factory and used to build the production cars.Polestar chief executive officer Thomas Ingenlath commented: \u201cThe assembly of the verification prototype cars means that the Polestar 1 has taken its next step towards production.\u201cThis first batch of 34 cars will enable our engineers to tune the finer details of the car, ensuring that the Polestar 1 is perfect when we start to produce customer cars in the middle of next year.\u201dInitial Polestar 1 customers can expect to have their car around the mid-point of 2019."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Polestar 1 Prototype Starts Production","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/polestar-1-prototype-starts-production\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]