Pricing for New Zealand’s newest electric vehicle offering, the Polestar 2, has been announced. And, perhaps surprisingly, multiple models are set to be eligible for the government’s full $8,625 Clean Car Discount.
Three variants will be offered locally; the entry-level single motor Standard Range, the mid-spec single motor Long Range, and the flagship dual motor all-wheel drive Long Range. The trio will be priced at $69,900, $78,900, and 93,900 respectively.
The two single-motor variants both come under the government’s Clean Car Discount $80,000 cap. Meaning that, effectively, each model can be had for $61,275 and $70,275 after discounts have been claimed.
That’s fairly sharp pricing relative to models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and most European rivals. The Polestar 2 shapes up as one of the Tesla Model 3’s closest rivals based on price. With Tesla’s on-road costs being steeper than most, the Standard Range models from both brands end up at almost the same price.
The Polestar 2 Standard Range comes with a 69kWh battery and is capable of a claimed 440km of travel per charge, combined with a motor producing 165kW/330Nm. The Long Range model gets a meatier 78kWh battery, growing range to a WLTP-rated 540km per charge, as well as a slightly more powerful 170kW motor.
The flagship Dual Motor grade, meanwhile, puts the nameplate in proper performance-car territory. Its two motors produce 300kW of power and 600Nm, and are capable of sending it to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds. It also gets a 78kWh battery, with range rated at around 400km.
Along with standard pricing, Polestar confirmed that three option ‘packs’ will be on offer to buyers; the Pilot Pack, Plus Pack, and Performance Pack.
The Pilot Pack shapes up as an active technologies suite. It includes Polestar’s pixel LED headlight system, adaptive cruise control with lane assist, a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, and more.
The Plus Pack throws in toys galore, including a 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, heated memory front seats, and a heated steering wheel, plus vegan upholstery and a panoramic glass roof. The Performance Pack, meanwhile, is exclusive to the dual-motor model and includes Ohlins dampers, Brembo brakes, forged 20-inch wheels, and gold detailing.
It was confirmed that Polestar, a pure electric off-shoot of Volvo, would be joining the New Zealand motoring landscape as a standalone brand earlier this year. It will join Giltrap Group’s impressive umbrella of brands from 2022 onwards.
“Polestar is a truly exciting addition to the mobility landscape in New Zealand, and we are delighted that two of the three Polestar 2 models are eligible for the full $8,625 Clean Car Discount,” says Polestar New Zealand brand manager Bruce Fowler.
“Across the range, Polestar 2 delivers a standard-setting level of quality, safety, performance and zero-emission driving enjoyment; now we can confirm its great value for New Zealand customers.”
Read more: What is Polestar? Everything you need to know NZ’s newest brand