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Swedish electric performance car brand Polestar has announced extensive hardware upgrades for its flagship SUV, the Polestar 3, for the 2026 model year. The vehicle receives significant performance improvements, including a new 800 Volt electrical architecture, increased power, faster charging, and greater core computer processing power.
Key Highlights
- New 800 Volt Electrical Architecture: Enables peak DC charging rates of up to 350 kW.
- Increased Power Output: All versions receive a new in-house developed rear motor, with the Performance variant reaching up to 500 kW.
- Faster Charging Speeds: A 10–80% battery charge can be completed in as little as 22 minutes.
- Upgraded Core Computer: Features an NVIDIA DRIVE processor with over eight times more processing power.
New 800 Volt Electrical Architecture
The 2026 model year Polestar 3 marks a significant technological advancement with the introduction of an 800 Volt electrical architecture. This upgrade enables substantially faster DC charging with a peak rate of up to 350 kW. As a result, the 10–80% battery charge benchmark can be achieved in as little as 22 minutes, a reduction of over 25%.
The new architecture also improves efficiency by up to 6% on the WLTP cycle and supports new lithium-ion batteries from CATL. The Rear motor version will feature a 92 kWh battery pack, while the Dual motor and Performance variants will be equipped with a 106 kWh pack. These enhancements further improve the long-distance driving capabilities of the Polestar 3.
Upgraded Powertrain and Increased Performance
All versions of the Polestar 3 will now benefit from a new in-house developed permanent magnet synchronous rear motor that delivers higher output. When paired with an asynchronous front motor, the new configuration delivers a total power of up to 500 kW in the Performance variant.
The front motor now includes an automatic disconnect feature, similar to Dual motor versions of the Polestar 2, to improve efficiency during everyday driving. The new powertrain shifts the power balance to a greater rear bias, which, combined with updated anti-roll bars and refined steering software, provides a more direct and engaging driving experience.
Greater Computing Power
The Polestar 3 enhances its position as a leading software-defined vehicle with a major upgrade to its core computing system. The NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor replaces the previous Xavier unit, boosting processing power from 30 to 254 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This increase of more than eight times the computing power allows for faster and more intelligent management of active safety systems, battery performance, and sensor data.
In line with the company’s commitment to continuous improvement, this hardware upgrade will be offered as a complimentary retrofit to all existing Polestar 3 customers. The complimentary hardware change will be performed at a Polestar authorized service point, and customers will be contacted when the processor is available to be fitted, with upgrades planned to start in early 2026.
Options and Pack Structure
The 2026 model year introduces a new trim level structure: Polestar 3 Rear motor, Dual motor, and Performance. Active air suspension is now optional for the Dual motor trim and remains standard on the Performance variant. Trim levels are also distinguished by seatbelt design: solid black for Rear motor, black with a Swedish gold stripe for Dual motor, and full Swedish gold for the Performance version.
A revised pack and options strategy simplifies customization. The new Climate pack includes heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated front wiper blades. The Prime pack bundles the Pilot, Plus, and Climate packs with rear privacy glass. The Bowers & Wilkins audio system is now available as a single option or as part of the Plus pack.
Design updates include a new exterior color, Storm, which replaces Thunder. The standard interior upholstery is upgraded to Bio-attributed MicroTech in Charcoal with repurposed aluminum deco.
The upgraded Polestar 3 will initially go on sale in the UK, with other markets to follow. More information is available at: https://www.polestar.com/global/polestar-3/
About Polestar
Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) is the Swedish electric performance car brand focused on design and innovation. Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, its cars are available in 28 markets across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Polestar has four models in its lineup: Polestar 2, Polestar 3, Polestar 4, and Polestar 5, with plans for the Polestar 6 roadster and Polestar 7 compact SUV. The company is committed to halving its greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle by 2030 and becoming climate-neutral by 2040.
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