The Polestar 5 made its first public appearance on a driving circuit at the FAT International Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria. Two all-electric prototypes took to the frozen airfield track, showcasing 650 kW of power in extreme winter conditions. The event marked a milestone for the long-awaited electric grand tourer, which has progressed from concept to car through an extended development cycle and was recently unveiled ahead of production.
Highlights
- Polestar brought two 650 kW all-electric Polestar 5 prototypes to the FAT Ice Race in the Austrian Alps for the model’s first public track outing.
- One prototype wore a Gran Turismo livery as part of an ongoing partnership with Polyphony Digital’s iconic gaming franchise.
- Swedish racing driver Ted Björk piloted the car on ice, describing the Polestar 5 as stable and responsive to driver inputs.
- Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi attended the event, praising the car’s design and predicting a new EV-driven car culture.
Gran Turismo Partnership Takes Center Stage
One of the two prototypes featured a black-and-yellow livery tied to Polestar’s collaboration with Gran Turismo. The custom design drew attention both on and off the frozen circuit.
Kazunori Yamauchi, CEO of Polyphony Digital and creator of the Gran Turismo series, attended the event. He called the livery “extremely refined.”
“Polestar and Gran Turismo are both very sophisticated brands, so it feels natural that they’re coming closer together,” Yamauchi said.
Racing Driver Offers First Impressions
Ted Björk, one of Sweden’s most accomplished racing drivers, took Yamauchi along for a lap of the frozen circuit. Despite the unforgiving ice surface, Björk delivered a positive assessment.
“I thought the car looked really cool. It felt very stable,” Björk said. “I immediately thought it was a really good car. It goes exactly where the driver intends.”
Yamauchi Sees a New Era for Car Culture
Yamauchi shared a broader perspective on the shift to electric powertrains. He has spent decades immersed in automotive culture through the Gran Turismo franchise.
“The EV era has only just begun,” Yamauchi said. “There are forms of driving pleasure and an overall smoothness that can only be achieved with EVs. Because of that, I think a new kind of car culture will emerge.”
What Comes Next for Polestar 5
The FAT Ice Race appearance follows a series of milestones for the Polestar 5. The electric GT has moved through public VIP walkarounds and design showcases. Its 650 kW powertrain positions it as a flagship performance model in the Polestar lineup.
The frozen airfield debut signals that the production version is drawing closer. More public outings are likely as Polestar continues to build momentum toward a full market launch.
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