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Motor1
Business
Jeff Perez

Polestar Sets Its Sights On BMW M And Mercedes-AMG

the breakdown

  • Polestar will launch four new models by 2028, led by the Polestar 5.
  • It aims to rival BMW M and Mercedes-AMG by expanding its high-performance BST sub-brand.
  • The Polestar 5 will deliver up to 884 hp, marking a major push into elite EV performance.

Four new models in just three years, with one clear goal: to challenge the German high-performance elite. That’s the roadmap laid out by Polestar, as it prepares for a major lineup transformation over the next few years.

By 2026, the spotlight will be on the debut of the Polestar 5, alongside a new variant of the Polestar 4—likely a wagon. The second-generation Polestar 2 is scheduled to arrive in 2027, followed in 2028 by the Polestar 7, a compact SUV aimed at expanding the Geely-owned brand’s commercial footprint.

This ambitious product offensive follows a difficult financial stretch, including a $900 million (around €830 million) loan from its parent company. But the broader vision goes well beyond recovery.

More 'Beasts' On The Way

CEO Michael Lohscheller has made it clear that Polestar wants to compete directly with performance heavyweights like BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. Central to that strategy is the expansion of the BST ("Beast") badge—so far reserved for limited-run versions of the Polestar 2—into a true high-performance sub-brand.

Expect sharper suspension setups, more focused track dynamics, and significantly quicker acceleration. Dedicated high-performance variants are planned for the Polestar 2, 3, and 4.

Even the already potent Polestar 5 could spawn a more extreme derivative, one capable of taking on Audi RS models and the latest high-performance EV flagships. It would be a fitting return to the brand’s roots, given that Polestar originally served as Volvo’s in-house performance arm before becoming a standalone manufacturer.

The Charge Begins With The Polestar 5

At the forefront of this new era is the Polestar 5, a four-door flagship featuring a 112.0-kilowatt-hour battery and 800-volt architecture. In its performance specification, it produces up to 884 horsepower and 748 lb-ft of torque—numbers firmly in electric grand tourer territory.

A more powerful version of the Polestar 4 will follow, while the next-generation Polestar 2 is expected to evolve into a more traditional sedan. It could grow beyond its current 181.1-inch length and introduce a variant capable of rivaling the Tesla Model 3 Performance.

Rounding out the expansion will be the Polestar 7, positioned in the premium compact C-SUV segment and designed to further strengthen the brand’s presence in the zero-emissions market.


Motor1's Take: Polestar certainly has the styling and numbers to take on BMW M and Mercedes-AMG, but it will be interesting to see if the Swedish EV maker can nail the driving dynamics synonymous with those performance models.

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