Electric vehicles don’t operate the same in different conditions. In fact, they drive differently during icy cold days. Drivers may need to make some temporary modifications to ensure their EVs remain suitable during such days. This Polestar 2 EV one-off edition managed to beat the cold thanks to a plethora of modifications.
More Power To Conquer Colder Environments
Joakim Rydholm, Polestar’s chief chassis engineer and a rally driver, created a one-off edition of the Polestar 2 that could not just survive the cold environment, but also beat it. Joakim built this one-off edition – aptly dubbed as the Polestar 2 Arctic Circle – to bring winter rally inspiration to a Polestar for the first time. He equipped the one-time not-for-production Polestar 2 prototype with various parts and components – all tuned to let the car push farther than its normal limits.
The one-off version started off as a Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor model laden with the Performance Pack. Joakim tuned this car to offer more power, from 400 hp of max output and 486 lb-ft of instant torque to 469 hp of output and 501 lb-ft of torque. He even increased its ride height by around 1.18 inches.
More Adjustments To Polestar 2 Arctic Circle
To adjust to the new terrain, Joakim also installed softer springs (by 30%), specially designed and tuned three-way performance Öhlins dampers with auxiliary adjustment chambers, as well as front and rear strut braces (for increased torsional rigidity and steering responsiveness). He also integrated a new prototype launch control system via steering wheel-mounted paddles. Just in case of untoward events, Joakim equipped the car with a carbon fiber snow shovel and a recovery strap.
The Polestar 2 Arctic Circle rides on 19-inch OZ Racing rally wheels shod with custom-made 19-inch studded winter tires (245/35 R19), Interestingly, each rubber comes with 4-mm metal studs (490 studs per tire), allowing the Polestar 2 Arctic Circle to be quick and agile on snow and ice.
The exterior of the one-off model comes wrapped in a livery in matte grey and white, as complemented by four Stedi Quad Pro LED front lights and a carbon fiber skid plate on the front bumper.
Pushing Performance And Handling Over A Frozen Lake
Accommodated in a custom-upholstered Recaro front bucket seats (in charcoal with Swedish gold branding), Joakim pushed the Polestar 2 Arctic Circle to the limits in terms of performance and handling over a frozen lake. Achieving total control over the one-off EV brought a bigger-than-usual smile on Joakim’s face.
Source: Polestar 2