The Volvo Polestar 2 Is the First Google-Powered, All-Electric Car (theverge.com) 92
The Polestar 2 is the first all-electric car from Volvo, and the first car to feature Google's new native version of Android Auto. Billed as a competitor to Tesla's Model 3, "the Polestar 2 should be able to travel up to 275 miles (about 443 kilometers) on a single charge thanks to a 78kWh battery that makes up the entire floor of the car," reports The Verge. "It will be quick, too; Polestar says there's 300kW (about 408 horsepower) to play with, spread across dual electric motors. That all-wheel drive power should help the car get from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 5 seconds." From the report: All this will eventually cost about 39,900 euros, or about $45,000, at the cheapest. Polestar will sell versions of the car that cost as much as 59,900 euros, or about $68,000. But none of that will happen until the second year of production. The version available when the car launches later this year will cost $63,000, and Polestar will make only that "launch edition" car for the first 12 months. Pre-orders are open now, and production begins next year in China (where Volvo's Chinese parent company Geely is headquartered). Polestar's launching the car with in an ambitious slate of markets, too: China, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Belgium.
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[T]he Polestar 2's interior looks more fully developed and coherent than the one in the Polestar 1, to my eyes at least. The centerpiece is an 11-inch portrait oriented touchscreen where the company's Android-based infotainment system lives. Car companies have built infotainment systems on Android in the past, but they essentially had to fork the open source operating system and build their own solution on top. What's more, Google wasn't involved in those efforts. This meant the cars would wind up with outdated versions of Google's operating system, which complicated upgrades and security. [...] A big benefit to this embedded approach is customers will have instant access to Android Auto-approved apps like Google Maps, or Play Music, or Google Assistant without needing to use their smartphones. Another is that it will have access to the car's functions, meaning it can control climate settings, or send you maintenance alerts. This native version of Android will also be updatable, meaning Polestar and Google can push over-the-air software updates to improve the car's functions long after it's sold.
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[T]he Polestar 2's interior looks more fully developed and coherent than the one in the Polestar 1, to my eyes at least. The centerpiece is an 11-inch portrait oriented touchscreen where the company's Android-based infotainment system lives. Car companies have built infotainment systems on Android in the past, but they essentially had to fork the open source operating system and build their own solution on top. What's more, Google wasn't involved in those efforts. This meant the cars would wind up with outdated versions of Google's operating system, which complicated upgrades and security. [...] A big benefit to this embedded approach is customers will have instant access to Android Auto-approved apps like Google Maps, or Play Music, or Google Assistant without needing to use their smartphones. Another is that it will have access to the car's functions, meaning it can control climate settings, or send you maintenance alerts. This native version of Android will also be updatable, meaning Polestar and Google can push over-the-air software updates to improve the car's functions long after it's sold.
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A tracking device that has wheels (Score:2)
Once again google know where you go.
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Google know where you go anyway, your cell phone tell it.
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It's also a sad state of affairs when a car is announced to be "powered" by what amounts to the dashboard.
This must be some other Android Auto... (Score:3)
... than the one in my car, which just displays the map from my phone and plays some music.
smelling accelerated depreciation here (Score:1)
when owners figure out that the Android version won't be updated after 7 years.
The 800 pound gorilla in the room is how much do car manufacturers have to support all of the software on a 10+ year old car?
I expect that when I finally buy a new non- luxury car, it will be supported with software updates and have dealer sold new auto parts available for 15 years from date of purchase. A shorter time frame means the manufactures will control effective life of a vehicle via not releasing software updates or cha
Tesla Model 3 competitor? (Score:3, Interesting)
Slower.
More expensive.
Made in China.
pass....
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The Tesla Model 3 is way more expensive than 39,900 euros and it is made in the only country with a lower reputation in car build quality than China. I would pick the Polestar, if I had to choose between the too.
Eventually (Score:2)
The Tesla Model 3 is way more expensive than 39,900 euros
...and so is the Polestar.
You don't even need to read TFA, it's right in the summary: "All this will eventually cost about 39,900 euros".
Just like the Model 3 will eventually hit the $35,000 mark that was promised when it launched.
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Already is...
https://www.bbc.com/news/busin... [bbc.com]
Polecat? (Score:2)
Maybe they will call the sport model the polecat and give it a white rally stripe. Eh Pepe?
Volt Saver Loop (Score:2)
Volvo polestar anagrams
Love slot vapor
Volts A Love Pro
Volt Saver Loop
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What's their high-speed roadtrip-oriented charging solution?
I'm still waiting for anyone besides Tesla to seriously consider this issue as a critical part of the EV ecosystem.
Re:Tesla Model 3 competitor? (Score:5, Insightful)
The future is clearly a fast charging network relying on 1 or 2 standards, supporting - and open to - all auto brands. The Tesla stations over here are already fitted with CCS leads but are not available to non-Tesla drivers. This is an issue that will solve itself; Tesla is considering opening up those stations to other brands, and in some countries they may be forced to by law when operating in public areas, especially on highways. BWM would never get the permits to build gas stations exclusively for BWM drivers, and while Tesla was considered to be a special case being a pioneer with proprietary charging tech, that privilege will end at some point.
Tesla clearly led the charge and built the new infrastructure needed for their cars from scratch, an admirable effort. But it is beyond silly at this stage to expect other auto makers to do the same.
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Why is it "beyond silly"? Are governments expected to pay for the infrastructure? Should we expect oil companies to pay for it? Perhaps classic car makers who have a vested interest in slow EV adoption so they can take their time and try to save their crumbling empires?
No, the fact of the matter is that indeed other car manufacturers ARE investing in Ionity and other charging networks albeit at an extremely slow pace. Despite the fact that Tesla already has a large network across Europe, they're still ex
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Tesla has around 450 charging locations (each w/ multiple charging point
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Worth pointing out that Nissan/Renault were building charging networks long before Tesla came along. Much of the infrastructure in western Europe was funded by Nissan/Renault. You can see the branding on the chargers.
And this was long before the Model 3 was even announced, when Nissan and Renault were the only ones selling affordable EVs.
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This is a European car. In Europe the commercial charging networks are often better than Tesla's.
Performance wise it may be a little slower, but it is better made and more luxurious. You also get Volvo service and many people are waiting for established brands that they trust.
Also it's available, where as you can't just buy an M3 in Europe at the moment. If you have a reservation you might get one this year, maybe, otherwise no way.
Don't worry, there is plenty of room for competition. Things are hotting up
Re:Tesla Model 3 competitor? (Score:4, Informative)
Uh, did you miss the part about where it'll be made in China, by the new owner of Volvo? That instantly nullifies pretty much everything you are so hot about there. Maybe you've already forgotten what happened to Saab when they got a new owner?
Uh... Volvo hasn't been an independent company in decades and Geely aren't new; they've owned Volvo since 2010.
And Saab were bought by GM who mismanaged the entire lineup. Instead of allowing Saab to continue to engineer and innovate their platforms they strongarmed Saab into using GM's own platforms. Then when that didn't work they tried OEMing a Subaru. Truth is Saab was dead before GM ever entered the picture; the GM purchase was ostensibly to save the already ailing manufacturer. And I write all this as an ex Saab owner and lover... they had good cars but shit marketing and after the GM buy the cars just took a nosedive in quality.
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Tesla is also opening a plant in China, and if they continue to increase US sales, they'll probably start building vehicles there for sale here instead of increasing production here.
Geely (Score:2, Informative)
Given it's made by a Chinese-owned company, perhaps they should've named it the Prolestar.
Too bad it costs $45k to start, not many proles can actually afford it. The base $35k Tesla Model 3 just launched today with 55 fewer miles of range than the Polestar, which IMO is bigger news.
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which IMO is bigger news.
Why? Cheaper poorer range cars have always been available. The only reason it would qualify as news over a truly new entrant is due to how long people have had to wait for Tesla.
Tesla's original goal was to change the world. Having yet another option coming to market is bigger news than an iterative release Tesla has been promising for months.
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Wut? There is no viable battery powered car sub-30k. For the masses, 15k and 150-200 miles is your target
Re:Geely (Score:5, Informative)
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And quite critically viable enough that until a couple of weeks ago when Model 3s started selling in Europe they were the most popular EVs on the market far outselling the Model S and Model X. Time will tell if the Model 3's EU success is due to good honeymoon sales or if it actually sustains it's Q1 position in the longer term, I'm thinking it's a bit of both and the Zoe finally has some competition in Europe, rather than the other way around.
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Volvo cars is a Chinese company (you are who you are owned by when it comes to corporations), so it is hardly surprising it is made in China. What that Chinese company is of course doing is trading on the European Brand of Volvo to pump up the profit margins, so likely to be well overly brand monetised and under performing. Nothing to do with China, just the way modern corporations and their marketing agencies work, bullshit and profits first and everything else optional even adhering to the law if the pena
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Nobody cares where anything is made any more, since everything is made in China, and because nobody feels cared for by their governments. Might as well just get theirs before the whole thing catches on fire, or slides into the sea. All people care about is whether the good are any good. China has gotten to the point where they can build a decent car if they try hard enough, so there's no reason why these vehicles can't be successful.
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It was designed and developed by Volvo in Europe. It's like an iPhone - it may be made in China but most people would say it's a western product, with Volvo quality and support networks.
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Geely have owned Volvo since 2010... I'm not seeing this lack of faith in the West in Volvo that you're predicting.
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TBH, I don't even 'get' the 'Prolestar' thing...what is he getting at?
Adverts (Score:1)
And how many adverts will you need to sit through before the car will actually move ?
"We are unable to compute the shortest route, please accept the route past 7 of out advertisers, we have told them you are coming"
No longer boxy, but good. (Score:2)
This needs over ten years of Android updates (Score:4, Insightful)
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just forget about owning a car in the future, that is something that will disappear soon.
they want you to rent/lease a car, not buy it. when the lease/rent is over, replace with a newer model that will be available by then.
it also comes with android-auto build in, so if you want privacy this is also not the car for you (but see the last paragraph of tfa, almost all other brands will be releasing android-auto cars very soon).
it's a sad state of affairs, because people who care about ownership, right to repai
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You can mirror your phone screen if you really must have the latest version. But that's missing the point here.
Normally you would get a fixed manufacturer developed system. Maybe some map updates. No choice of what app you want to use for navigation.
Now you have live maps with endless free updates, a choice of apps and all the functionality you had before. Even if it never gets updated you can keep using it as-is.
Updates aren't always that great anyway. Lots of bitching and moaning about Tesla gimping stuff
maintenance alerts. or more like car is limp mode (Score:2)
maintenance alerts. or more like car is limp mode go to dealer NOW!
Google-powered? (Score:2)
So instead of charging it, you just search furiously? Or maybe the energy for propulsion comes from the cloud. 1.21 gigawatts, right?
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Kinda close? (Score:2)
The name of this vehicle ... just too close to Pornstar.
That is a terrible name (Score:2)
"Polestar" has to be among the worst car names I have ever heard. The car doesn't look that great either.
And it's not even out until 2020, by which time Tesla will probably have a hovering model, or one that includes the rocket engine package for the same price.
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I quite like the name...what do you have against it?
I quite like the look too, from what I've seen so far, and, no, I don't like the look of Teslas, though I admire the objective (ie to push the industry away from fossil fuels).
2020? That's next year, right? Tesla will /probably/ have a hovering model? LOL, right.
Well, that's statics for you...
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I quite like the name...what do you have against it?
It just sounds wrong.
And if you consider the word from different angles, it either brings up strippers or porn stars. Not that I have anything against either, but you don't name products "Porn Star 8000" unless they are meant for sexual purposes.
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Polaris? The North Star?
Somebody must think those are sexual positions, eh?
another (*&^ touchscreen on an electric car... (Score:1)
another (*&^ touchscreen on an electric car....
talk about them wanting to make them frustrating as shit to drive.... give us fucking knobs and tactile buttons damn it.
My first and second house cost $68k (Score:1)
How do you even pay that kind of car off? Why are there no affordable "green" options if it's so much cleaner (less and cheaper energy should translate to lower cost) to produce in solar powered, non-carbon factories.
Why aren't left wing billionaires subsidizing these for us in the 99% if the world will end in 15 years if we don't.
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Let me guess, you've used the phrase "and this used to all be orange groves..." more than once and very recently, right? Tell us how much a loaf of bread used to cost grandpa!
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This was in the last 5-10 years.
So we're powering cars with search engines now? (Score:4, Funny)
I liked it better when my horse was powered by Apache.
The Volvo Polestar 2 Is the First Google-Powered, (Score:2)
Christ, it's like we're training people to be little kids.
Android will also be updatable, meaning Polestar and Google can push over-the-air software updates to improve the car's functions long after it's sold.
Quick, tell me another one! This has worked out so well with phones.
And I thought that paying $9.95 for an app was high:
SALE! Take your
Polyester Pole Star Porn Star (Score:2)
Fire marketing.
I want less Google (Score:4, Insightful)
I've gotten Google as much out of my life as I possibly can. No way I'm going to buy a car that's literally integrated with Google as a "feature".
classid (Score:2)
Powered by Google? (Score:2)
How many miles per search does it get?