Polestar Polestar 1 History

Unveiled in October 2017 as Polestar's debut standalone model, the Polestar 1 was a dramatic statement of intent: a 2+2 grand-touring coupe with an all-carbon-fibre body, inspired by the Volvo Concept Coupé and the heritage Volvo P1800. It entered production at Polestar's purpose-built factory in Chengdu, China, in 2019.

Mechanically, the Polestar 1 combined a 2.0-litre twincharged petrol engine (328 hp) driving the front axle with a pair of rear-mounted electric motors and an integrated starter generator — a total system output of 619 hp and 1,001 N·m (738 lb·ft) of torque. The 34 kWh battery gave a claimed all-electric range of 150 km (NEDC). Sprint to 100 km/h took 4.2 seconds.

With production capped at 1,500 units worldwide across the 2019–2022 run, the Polestar 1 was sold exclusively through a subscription model before Polestar switched to conventional retail. It served as both a technical showcase and a brand-founding artifact, establishing the Scandinavian minimalist aesthetic that defines every Polestar since.