In a world where we are constantly fed the same narrative, “more is better,” Polestar is here to remind us that excess isn’t always the best way forward. Sometimes we don’t need to reinvent the wheel in order to keep things moving. Instead, we can sometimes focus on what we already do great, and build on that solid foundation — or even subtract the unnecessary. For those who don’t need the fastest possible next best thing, there’s the new Polestar 3 Single Motor “Long Range.”
This is exactly what Polestar has done with the new single-motor variant of the Polestar 3. It successfully brings down the initial MSRP to $67,500, representing a $5,900 savings over the dual-motor variant. Not only does the single-motor cost less, but it should provide an extra 35 miles of range since it uses the exact same 111-kWh battery pack as the dual-motor. This time though, the rear motor has been upgraded to a 220-kW unit as opposed to the 180-kW used in the dual-motor model. Sounds like a win-win, but then, there’s even more to the single-motor story that, in a very Polestar way, makes total sense.
Polestar invited TopSpeed out to the Malibu area to drive the new Polestar 3 single-motor back to back with a dual-motor variant available at the halfway point of the drive. Polestar’s team quite cleverly added in special map waypoints specifically for our multi-stop drive, set as designated buttons within the car’s infotainment. Our first stop, coffee at The Old Place. If you know, you know.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and an official first drive press launch of the Polestar 3 single motor.
Lose A Motor, Gain Handling
The Polestar 3 is, by no means, a sports car, but don’t forget that Polestar, as a company, started out in motorsport/tuning. This is a core principle of the brand, as it aims to consistently inject attributes of sporting intentions into each vehicle it produces. One of the most important driving characteristics for Polestar is handling ability. The engineers openly express how much effort is put towards tuning each vehicle to offer high levels of poise out on the road.
The Diet Starts Today
With around 400 pounds removed from the Polestar 3, it’s down to plain physics that the net effect would be a positive one in the handling department. Most of that weight loss is off the front axle, too, allowing the car to better manage weight transfer and load up under higher g-forces. With less weight up front, and, remember, now it’s rear-wheel-drive, Polestar has some of the ingredients necessary to make a sporty car, naturally.
Back To Basics, Because The Basics Work
Polestar is really nerding out on ways to make their cars better by simply doing what they know best. For the single-motor Polestar 3, we lose the adaptive air suspension system in favor of a more traditional static setup. Remember that Polestar has quietly become an industry authority on how to do good old-fashioned suspension. That shines through in the single-motor 3. It’s more precise and better controlled than the quicker, heavier dual-motor variant. Each bump is dealt with in a single motion, rather than affecting all four corners and letting the computers think about how to handle the situation. Because of its weight loss, Polestar was able to use a more traditional spring and damper without making the whole car overly sprung to compensate for roll.
Slow Car, Fast
It may only have 299 horsepower, but because it weighs less, and you, as the driver, are receiving more information through the chassis, the single-motor Polestar 3 doesn’t actually “feel” as slow as the numbers suggest. 0-60 miles per hour happens in 7.5 seconds, but you’d believe it was at least a second quicker. For a vehicle in this segment, there’s plenty of poke for everyday use, allowing you to enjoy a nice scenic drive, or if you want to utilize its superior handling, actually use all of its available power.
Polestar chose to capitalize on the RWD/lightweight characteristics by enhancing the driving experience and leaning into the benefits that layout provides in addition to its suspension tweaks. Yes, there is still body roll, but it happens in a more natural way. It’s more progressive, easier to manage, and doesn’t throw the whole car off-balance as easily as the dual-motor. It’s essentially
, and no one seems to complain about the handling of those cars.
Everything Else Remains (Mostly)
Major Similarities
As with many EVs, the vehicle itself, as it appears to the naked eye, is extremely similar regardless of powertrain options. It used to be that the more powerful versions received better aero or upgraded hardware you could see, but the EV philosophy has changed that narrative. Now, every variant must have the best aerodynamics possible. The best hardware is typically an option or standard across model ranges. The Polestar 3 is no different in that respect. From dual-motor to single-motor, the same colors are offered inside and out. The same seats, steering wheel, and interior design are all available for both variants. The same goes with the exterior, with the same paint color palette, wheel options, and the sleek aero bits that make Polestar 3 so slippery through the air.
Minor Differences
Everything on the exterior of the dual-motor car remains on the single-motor car, almost. Appearance really is a subjective topic, but I do miss the gold brakes. That signature accent color goes a long way towards differentiating Polestar from other EVs, and should be included, since every Polestar seeks to be an example of performance. That’s the only change I could spot on the exterior. In the single-motor car’s infotainment, there are deleted options for the suspension settings, since it is a one-tune-fits-all solution. Gone are the dual-motor’s “suspension feel” and “raised suspension/hill descent” modes. Another notable deletion is the “power delivery” option. Instead, Polestar just makes full power available all the time in the single-motor.
Less Really Can Be More
Check Out A Quick Walk-Around Of The New Polestar 3 Single-Motor
Save money, have a better drive, go farther, and carry less weight. This is essentially the recipe, and my favorite conclusion about the single-motor Polestar 3 as compared to the more expensive, and less confidence-inspiring dual-motor version.
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