The first changes for the 2023 Polestar 2 have been revealed with new cosmetic and mechanical updates. Two new colors, Space (metallic black) and Jupiter (gold-grey with red flaking) replace Void and Moon respectively. There are also fresh 19- and 20-inch alloy wheel options replacing the old offerings. Variants with the Performance pack retain the same carry-over wheel design.
The Barley Nappa leather upholstery with ventilated front seats has been replaced by a new Zinc gray paired with Light Ash deco trim. Polestar 2s with the panoramic glass roof now include a removable sunshade, which will also be available as an accessory for older models. Polestar is sourcing the new Nappa leather from Scottish supplier Bridge of Weir, which works with byproducts from ethically responsible sources. Their leather is certified at the higher level by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and has 100 percent traceability. They also employ a circular manufacturing process that cuts carbon emissions and is certified with a gold rating by the Leather Working Group, the world’s leader in environmental certification in the leatherworking industry. Bridge of Weir uses natural sources of probiotics, enzymes, plant polymers, and vegetable or synthetic tannins for their manufacturing process. Grass-fed and regenerative farming practices are also implemented throughout their entire supply chain.
Polestar has improved the operating range of the heat pump that’s included in the Plus pack. It now has an optimal temperature of 20 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, increasing the Polestar 2’s real-world range in adverse conditions. There’s also a new advanced air filter and an upgraded interior particulate matter sensor with an in-car app that shows air quality movement inside the cabin.
To make the car’s components more traceable, Polestar’s batteries now include blockchain accountability for mica and cobalt, both of which are crucial components for battery-electric vehicles. This allows the company to trace risk minerals from material source to finished product and ensure ethical mining and manufacturing processes are employed. Polestar has also reduced the carbon emissions of the aluminum tray carrying the battery casing by 1,653 pounds per car. It achieved this by purchasing aluminum specifically from suppliers that use renewable energy to manufacture the metal.
The 2023 Polestar 2 should retain the same 78-kWh battery pack with a usable capacity of 75 kWh. The single motor version is good for 231 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. If you want more power, the dual-motor model makes 408 hp and 487 lb-ft. Polestar hasn’t announced pricing for the available software update that will increase the dual-motor 2’s output to 469 hp and 502 lb-ft nor has it revealed if it will be included in the Performance pack for 2023 just like in Europe.
Expect the 2023 Polestar 2 to get a higher range rating across the board since it will likely take into account all of the improvements from recent over-the-air (OTA) updates. Several of them included powertrain efficiency tweaks and range increases that may have bumped the single-motor version over the 300-mile mark. The dual-motor version could also mirror the same increases but will likely be around the 260- to 280-mile mark. Currently, the Polestar 2 is EPA-rated at 270 miles for the single-motor version and 249 miles for the more powerful dual-motor car. Polestar says it will announce pricing, official range ratings, and availability in the coming weeks.
