Our introduction to the Polestar 2 and test drive. 16/08/20.
The Covid precautions seemed well organised and were followed. On arrival we booked in and had coffee and chatted with the staff (who are not actually polestar employees) who outnumbered the punters by about 4:1.
We were ushered into the first room which was slightly strange, almost like a sensory deprivation room, where a shrine-like P2 was the central focus under somewhat dim lighting. A brief overview was given about the car while we stood in front of ipads with some features and settings options to play with, but unfortunately they did not work. There was a swatch selection of both exterior colours and upholstery options, but again could have been better lit.
We then proceeded outside to take our test drives, and set off with no instruction about the controls whatsoever - just a follow the leader and any problems our phone number is in the glove box! The drive itself was very good, a mix of motorway, ‘b’ roads and urban, even with small speed humps. The lead driver gave it some welly and allowed us to try out the acceleration. At half way we swapped drivers.
Driving, the ride felt comfortable, handled the bumps well, held the road well, well planted and solid. Road noise not loud, wind noise low. Nice quick acceleration (without the brutality of a Tesla), Regen modes good. Our car was showing 3.1 miles per kWh, which considering that these demonstrators are given a fair bashing, seems good.
Finally a very quick debrief and in swooped the cleaning crew. It all seemed a little rushed and not much information given.
Our car was void with charcoal, non performance. Unfortunately none of the Google features worked so we were unable to try the sat nav or sound system. After extensive trial and error button pushing on the test drive managed to get the pilot assist to work, but couldn’t get the adaptive CC to work. These cars are awaiting updates apparently.
There were about 10 cars there in all, split between 2 test drive teams, and the only colour missing was Magnesium, the colour we have ordered. Grrr. (Still like the Moon, which really changes colour in sun/shade, as does the Thunder)
Liked the exterior appearance, and the de-chromed look. The boot opening ‘dance’ worked ok, the front boot is small but functional. Overall the car looks stunning, and on the test route certainly turned heads and had other cars on the motorway pulling alongside to gawp (once they caught up that is, ha-ha). Size wise it was a little bigger than I expected.
The interior was really nicely styled, although how hardy some of those materials will be remains a question. Very stylish though. Seats comfortable and electrically adjustable (unlike to steering wheel, which in my opinion should also be electrical, so its position could also be saved to the driver profile). Leg room fine, and I didn’t find the hard edge on the centre console an issue, although the console itself is large and a little intrusive. Cup holders seem a bit of an afterthought but we aren’t unduly bothered by that, and the front centre armrest was a little bit naff.
Overall, a very well designed car, very well built, nice materials, oozed quality. It feels like a proper car, not an ipad on wheels! This could very well be the car to take EV’s into the main stream market, albeit at a price!
One thing I really liked - the sound of the indicators! How sad is that?
Are we cancelling our order? Definitely not! Even though we still haven’t seen the Magnesium.
We were told that the first UK customer took delivery yesterday (15/8).
Roll on September!
The Covid precautions seemed well organised and were followed. On arrival we booked in and had coffee and chatted with the staff (who are not actually polestar employees) who outnumbered the punters by about 4:1.
We were ushered into the first room which was slightly strange, almost like a sensory deprivation room, where a shrine-like P2 was the central focus under somewhat dim lighting. A brief overview was given about the car while we stood in front of ipads with some features and settings options to play with, but unfortunately they did not work. There was a swatch selection of both exterior colours and upholstery options, but again could have been better lit.
We then proceeded outside to take our test drives, and set off with no instruction about the controls whatsoever - just a follow the leader and any problems our phone number is in the glove box! The drive itself was very good, a mix of motorway, ‘b’ roads and urban, even with small speed humps. The lead driver gave it some welly and allowed us to try out the acceleration. At half way we swapped drivers.
Driving, the ride felt comfortable, handled the bumps well, held the road well, well planted and solid. Road noise not loud, wind noise low. Nice quick acceleration (without the brutality of a Tesla), Regen modes good. Our car was showing 3.1 miles per kWh, which considering that these demonstrators are given a fair bashing, seems good.
Finally a very quick debrief and in swooped the cleaning crew. It all seemed a little rushed and not much information given.
Our car was void with charcoal, non performance. Unfortunately none of the Google features worked so we were unable to try the sat nav or sound system. After extensive trial and error button pushing on the test drive managed to get the pilot assist to work, but couldn’t get the adaptive CC to work. These cars are awaiting updates apparently.
There were about 10 cars there in all, split between 2 test drive teams, and the only colour missing was Magnesium, the colour we have ordered. Grrr. (Still like the Moon, which really changes colour in sun/shade, as does the Thunder)
Liked the exterior appearance, and the de-chromed look. The boot opening ‘dance’ worked ok, the front boot is small but functional. Overall the car looks stunning, and on the test route certainly turned heads and had other cars on the motorway pulling alongside to gawp (once they caught up that is, ha-ha). Size wise it was a little bigger than I expected.
The interior was really nicely styled, although how hardy some of those materials will be remains a question. Very stylish though. Seats comfortable and electrically adjustable (unlike to steering wheel, which in my opinion should also be electrical, so its position could also be saved to the driver profile). Leg room fine, and I didn’t find the hard edge on the centre console an issue, although the console itself is large and a little intrusive. Cup holders seem a bit of an afterthought but we aren’t unduly bothered by that, and the front centre armrest was a little bit naff.
Overall, a very well designed car, very well built, nice materials, oozed quality. It feels like a proper car, not an ipad on wheels! This could very well be the car to take EV’s into the main stream market, albeit at a price!
One thing I really liked - the sound of the indicators! How sad is that?
Are we cancelling our order? Definitely not! Even though we still haven’t seen the Magnesium.
We were told that the first UK customer took delivery yesterday (15/8).
Roll on September!
