Faster charging and up to 680hp for Polestar 3
"It's like an entirely new car", says the boss of latest update - great news for those already with one...
As cars become ever more like phones that need an MOT, so we can expect more regular updates from manufacturers. If we’re living in a software-driven world (which becomes harder to contest by the hour), that’s clearly a lot easier to update than substantial hardware refreshes. Which would help explain why the Polestar 3, just a year after it went on sale, now boasts a core computing system eight times more powerful than the one it launched with. From 30 trillion operations per second with the previous Xavier processor to 254 trillion with a new Nvidia setup, even a teenager in every seat won’t need more processing power than a 2026 Polestar 3 can offer up. Probably.
There’s even more to this refresh than software, too, enough to make it seem like this might have been the car Polestar always intended it to be - but the critical SUV had to launch when it had to launch. The new processor ought to help with those glitches and bugs that blighted early cars; Polestar suggests it ‘enables faster, more intelligent management of active safety systems, battery performance, and sensor data’. There’s also upgraded battery architecture to keep it competitive in a hotly contested segment. Now boasting 800V against the previous 400V, it’s now on a par with cars like the Porsche Macan Electric, Lotus Eletre and Kia EV9.
It means a host of advantages, with peak DC charging now increased from 250kW to 350kW; Polestar says that improves the 10-80 per cent charge time by more than 25 per cent, which sounds useful on a road trip. A best-case time of a little over half an hour is now 22 minutes. The batteries that are being charged are also new, supplied from CATL and rated at 92kWh (gross) in the rear drive car and 106kWh (gross) in the others, while also boasting up to six per cent better efficiency. Officially, range is anything between 368 miles and 394 miles, with efficiency from 3.53-2.65mi/kWh.
In turn, those batteries are supplying a new motor (told you a lot had changed), the 3 now whooshed along by a Polestar-designed permanent magnet synchronous unit on the rear. The four-wheel drive models (the Dual motor and Performance) continue with the old asynchronous front motor in conjunction. The various updates mean 680hp in the top-spec 3, with 544hp now in the standard Dual motor and 333hp in the RWD 3.
Not that this refresh is all about power and range, although the front motor can now disconnect when not required (as in a 2) to eke out a few more miles. Polestar is also promising an ‘even more direct and engaging driving experience’ for the entire lineup; partly that’s due to the new motor giving a more rearward bias to the torque distribution, but also thanks to new anti-roll bars and ‘software refinements’ - it’s always the software, remember - for the steering. It’s unclear yet whether any of those updates will be offered to existing customers, because they sound worthwhile; Polestar is going to upgrade the processor, however, and that must be at least as important.
So a bit more than the usual nip and tuck for the 3. Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller said: “The upgrades to Polestar 3 are so extensive, it’s like an entirely new car. With this upgrade, we continue to deliver on our commitment to add value for our customers through over-the-air software and hardware updates. The already amazing Polestar 3 is now better than ever.” As such, the entire UK range is getting a revamp to accommodate all the changes. Prices now kick off at £69,990 for the 333hp 3 (easy for you to say), which is now known just as the Rear motor; it’ll hit 62mph in 6.5 seconds, 130mph and 375 miles from its 92kWh battery. Peak DC charging is 310kW.
To unlock the most significant benefits of this overhaul, however, the 350kW charging and 394-mile range come from the Dual motor. It has 544hp now (where previously it was 490hp), enough for 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and 140mph. It costs £77,990. And for those who must get to 62mph in less than four seconds, the 680hp Performance costs £91,990 and can travel up to 368 miles on a tank. Options for all include a Nappa leather upgrade, a Climate Pack that heats everything not warmed as standard and a Pilot pack that adds even more driving assistance features if you really want to give that new processor something to do.
According to Polestar UK MD, the reception for the 3 over here has been “phenomenal”; to the extent, in fact, that the 2025 allocation is spoken for (which sounds less incredible when you remember Christmas stuff is in the shops). So it’ll only be these 2026 cars available to order now, with first deliveries early in the new year. And all the luck in the world for those interested in trading in a 2025 3 for a 2026 one…
I was strongly considering a Polestar 3 via work but instead bought a 7 year old E63 estate and will get a Renault 5 ev via work. A huge cost saving overall and useful boost to the pension.
I was strongly considering a Polestar 3 via work but instead bought a 7 year old E63 estate and will get a Renault 5 ev via work. A huge cost saving overall and useful boost to the pension.
I was strongly considering a Polestar 3 via work but instead bought a 7 year old E63 estate and will get a Renault 5 ev via work. A huge cost saving overall and useful boost to the pension.
I was strongly considering a Polestar 3 via work but instead bought a 7 year old E63 estate and will get a Renault 5 ev via work. A huge cost saving overall and useful boost to the pension.
Without people buying new cars, the used ones don t exist!
This under cuts the equivalent German cars by around £20k, so actually it’s good value
I know no one will actually buy one, but thats a serious amount to even finance.
If the reception has been so phenomenal why have I never seen one?
I’ve seen quite a few of them around, over the last 18 months
I know no one will actually buy one, but thats a serious amount to even finance.
If the reception has been so phenomenal why have I never seen one?
I ve seen quite a few of them around, over the last 18 months
The price is ok mind you, show me a car 10 years ago with this power and luxury for less (including inflation)
Depreciation will be horrific though
Doubtful this will fall to £25k after 3 years.
Even so, people get these on a monthly payment, not outright cash purchases. Costs are around £700 to £800 per month, which includes everything (VED tax, expensive car tax, insurance, maintenance and tyres), just add the energy to power it.
It s impossible to buy a new equivalent ICE car for less, then you add very cheap running costs.
Obviously if it does drop to £25k, then it s an absolute bargain!
I was strongly considering a Polestar 3 via work but instead bought a 7 year old E63 estate and will get a Renault 5 ev via work. A huge cost saving overall and useful boost to the pension.
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