Swedish electric automaker Polestar has unveiled a one-off showpiece electric model, the Polestar 2 ‘Arctic Circle’, that they won’t be put into production, but which is designed to showcase the extreme conditions used to test their vehicles.

Designed by Joakim Rydholm, Polestar’s chief chassis engineer and a successful trophy-winning rally driver in his spare time, the Polestar 2 ‘Arctic Circle’ will undergo a 15-week winter testing within the Arctic Circle where temperatures drop to as low as minus 35 degrees Celsius.

“Tuning a chassis on snow and ice allows us to develop our cars in what feels like slow motion and with better accuracy,” said Rydholm.

“With such low levels of grip, we can feel and analyse the dynamics at a much slower pace than on tarmac, which means we can really fine-tune the way our cars behave, down to the smallest details. This is my absolute favourite place to develop cars.”

Based on the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual motor with Performance Pack, Rydholm made several key tweaks, such as increasing the ride height by 30mm, increasing power and torque output to 350kW and 680Nm respectively, and including custom-made 19-inch winter tyres studded with 490 4mm metal studs per tyre.

Further tweaks include 30% softer springs combined with three-way performance Öhlins dampers which were specifically designed and tuned for the Polestar 2 ‘Arctic Circle’ together with Öhlins and set to nine clicks front and rear and feature auxiliary adjustment chambers as well as the standard 4-piston Brembo front brakes.

Front and rear strut braces were also fitted to increase torsional rigidity and steering responsiveness, and a new prototype launch control system was integrated via steering wheel-mounted paddles. Finally, a carbon fibre snow shovel and a recovery strap are mounted in the rare of the car.

Several visual modifications were made, in addition to the 19-inch OZ Racing rally wheels, including four Stedi Quad Pro LED front lights and a unique exterior livery in matte grey and white.

Custom-upholstered Recaro front bucket seats in charcoal with Swedish gold branding and a front bumper featuring a carbon fibre skid plate for additional under-body protection finish out the tweaks.

“The balance and predictability we have achieved with the raised ride height and specialised tyres are particularly noticeable when you enter a bend completely sideways, with a bigger-than-usual smile on your face, and in total control.”

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.

I agree to the Terms of Use

I agree to the Terms of Use

Input your search keywords and press Enter.