The Experimental Polestar 2 is a heavily-tuned, 476hp ‘Goodwood special’ that makes its surprise debut at the 2021 Festival of Speed to ‘push the boundaries’ of the firm’s performance EV.
Polestar boss Thomas Ingenlath charged both design and engineering teams to create a “strong statement for Goodwood”, and the Experimental Polestar 2 is the result.
It has already been nicknamed ‘Beast’ by the electric car firm.
Now, chief chassis engineer Joakim Rydhold is to get his reward for putting such hard work into developing the car – by blasting it up the Goodwood hill throughout the 2021 Festival of Speed.
And prepare to be surprised: he exclusively suggested to Motoring Research it is as fast off the line as a Ferrari F40 supercar, suggesting 0-62mph in well under 4.0 seconds.
Sadly, there is no official word on whether this exotic Goodwood one-off itself will make production – although don’t be surprised if certain elements do in time reach showrooms, particularly if the reaction at Goodwood is positive…
Extreme Experimental
Polestar has upped power of the dual motor model from 408hp to 476hp. All-wheel drive helps deliver this power to the ground.
Big 21-inch wheels from the Polestar 1 have been fitted, and the special Pirelli P Zero Rosso performance tyres are also carried over.
The wheels and tyres sit below widened wheelarches and the track is also 10mm wider, while ride height is 30mm lower.
There are also six-piston Akebono front brakes from the Polestar 1.
Suspension is extreme, too: it’s 80 percent stiffer at the front and 40 percent stiffer at the rear.
Exotic, expensive Ohlins dampers from the regular Polestar 2 are upgraded further to three-way Ohlins dampers, which themselves are 30 percent stiffer than normal.
There’s even a carbon fibre front strut bar from the Volvo S60 Polestar Engineered, and a rear strut bar fabricated by the engineering team itself.
It is identified by its Snow Matte paint with a Magnesium Matte racing stripe, upgraded front and rear bumpers and colour-coded front grid.
‘Up the stakes’
“We wanted to flex our muscles and explore opportunities,” explained Mr Ingenlath in describing the Extreme Polestar 2.
“This is what happens when we are given freedom to go beyond our limits,” said Mr Rydholm.
“We already have such great handling and performance characteristics in Polestar 2, but when Thomas asked me to make something special for Goodwood, I was really excited to up the stakes.”
“The new chassis set-up for Goodwood has really taken it to the next level. I can’t wait to go up the hill!”
The Experimental Polestar 2 will be showcased in the First Glance Paddock throughout the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed event, which runs from 8-11 July.
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