Innovative manufacturing process accelerates Polestar 5 development schedule by allowing both body and platform to be built in unison, significantly reducing traditional lead times
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – Polestar, the Swedish premium electric performance car maker, has confirmed that the forthcoming Polestar 5 electric performance 4-door GT will feature a brand-new, bespoke, bonded aluminum platform.
Bonded aluminum is lightweight and rigid, offering superlative performance and environmental advantages. While this technology has previously proven labor-intensive and difficult to use in mass production vehicles without sacrificing quality, Polestar’s engineering team has developed an entirely new, faster manufacturing process that develops both body and platform in unison. Based in the heart of the UK’s Motorsport Valley in the Midlands of England, Polestar’s engineering team of 280 previously worked on projects such as Formula 1 race cars, low-volume vehicles, and sports cars.
“Our UK R&D team is one of Polestar’s greatest assets,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. “Their mix of engineering and technological expertise enables us to develop advanced, light-weight sports car technology with a creative mindset and a spirit that embraces innovative engineering. This will set Polestar apart in the years to come.”
By developing this technology for Polestar’s first in-house platform, the 4-door Polestar 5 is being designed with torsional rigidity superior to that of a traditional two-seat sports- or supercar. The decision to develop a bespoke platform has also enabled the brand to deliver a production model that remains true to the Precept concept car that inspired it.
As a result of the new materials and techniques involved, the body-in-white (completed platform and body) is expected to weigh less than that of cars in smaller segments. A lighter-weight body-in-white contributes to improved vehicle efficiency, real-world EV range, and dynamic responsiveness, all while delivering leading safety levels. The new bonded aluminum platform will also help drive higher vehicle quality, platform rigidity, and a faster introduction of the product to market.
“We knew we wanted this car to be light-weight, we knew we wanted high quality and we knew we wanted it quickly,” says Pete Allen, Head of Polestar UK R&D. “This architecture delivers outstanding dynamic and safety attributes, with low investment technology applicable to high production volumes.”
Development of Polestar 5 continues at a rapid pace, with global efforts led by the growing UK R&D unit, which will continue to play a critical role in enhancing Polestar’s in-house R&D capabilities. The R&D unit is expected to grow to approximately 500 engineers in the coming months. More information on Polestar 5 will be released in the YouTube documentary series “Precept: From Concept to Car” which details how the Polestar Precept evolves into the production car.
This announcement continues to strengthen Polestar’s position ahead of its proposed business combination with Gores Guggenheim, Inc. (Nasdaq: GGPI, GGPIW, and GGPIU), which is expected to close in the first half of 2022.
