Polestar 5: Sweden’s Porsche Rival Finally Hits the Market

Swedish EV brand Polestar, owned by China’s Geely Group, has unveiled the production version of the Polestar 5 fastback at the Munich Auto Show. What’s striking — and worth applauding — is that the car contains nothing from Geely’s shared parts bin. Instead, its platform and major components were engineered from scratch by Polestar’s British division.

The Polestar 5 was previewed by the 2020 Polestar Precept concept, with production photos first surfacing in 2021. The long gestation period is largely due to Polestar’s financial challenges. Since spinning off from Volvo Cars in 2017, the company has remained unprofitable, with limited resources for ground-up vehicles — and the 5 is very much one of those.

Underpinning the flagship is Polestar’s own aluminum-intensive PPA (Polestar Performance Architecture), featuring an 800-volt system. Unlike Geely’s SEA platform, PPA is completely bespoke and inspired by classic British sports cars. The structure relies on extruded components and bonded joints, but despite the tech, weight savings aren’t dramatic: curb weight starts at 5,429 pounds. The PPA platform will also serve as the basis for the upcoming Polestar 6 roadster.

The Polestar 5 measures 200.3 inches long, 79.3 inches wide, and 55.9–56.1 inches tall, riding on a 120.2-inch wheelbase. Its fastback body style eliminates a rear window in favor of a camera-based system. The drag coefficient is an impressive 0.24. Suspension is spring-based with double wishbones up front and a multi-link setup at the rear. Brakes are supplied by Brembo with four-piston calipers. Wheel options range from 20 to 22 inches, with staggered Michelin tires.

Two dual-motor, all-wheel-drive versions are confirmed. Both use an ultra-slim, floor-mounted 112 kWh battery from SK On (106 kWh usable), with a rear-seat footwell recess for comfort. DC fast charging peaks at 350 kW, enabling a 10–80% charge in 22 minutes. The rear motor is Polestar’s own design, while the front assist motor comes from ZF.

• Dual Motor: 550 kW (778 hp), 812 Nm, 0–62 mph in 3.9 seconds, 250 km/h top speed, WLTP range 416 miles.

• Performance: 650 kW (884 hp), 1015 Nm, 0–62 mph in 3.2 seconds, same top speed, WLTP range 351 miles.

The base version uses passive BWI dampers with hydraulic rebound stops, while the Performance model upgrades to BWI MagneRide adaptive dampers.

The cabin follows a 4+1 seating layout: four individual Recaro sport seats plus a small occasional perch between the rear seats, otherwise occupied by a multifunction armrest. Sustainability plays a major role, with recycled materials and bio-composites throughout. A panoramic glass roof stretches more than two meters.

The driver faces a 9-inch digital cluster mounted on the steering column, complemented by a 9.5-inch head-up display. A portrait-oriented 14.5-inch infotainment screen runs Android Automotive OS. The base audio setup includes 10 speakers from an unnamed supplier, while the Performance model boasts a 1,680-watt Bowers & Wilkins system with 21 speakers. Cargo space is 365 liters in back plus a 52-liter underfloor compartment (1,128 liters with seats folded), plus a 62-liter front trunk.

Polestar has not confirmed the production site, though reports point to Geely’s plant in Chongqing, China. That’s an awkward detail for Polestar, which quietly exited the Chinese market earlier this year due to weak sales. The Polestar 5 also won’t be offered in North America or South Korea — at least not initially. Europe will be the flagship’s primary market. Orders are already open, but deliveries begin next year.

Pricing (Germany)

• Polestar 5 Dual Motor: from €119,900 (≈$140,500)

• Polestar 5 Performance: from €142,900 (≈$167,500)