Big revisions include enhanced range, more kit and a switch from front-drive to rear for single motor types.

DETAIL about the raft of revisions incoming to the Polestar 2 - including a switch to rear-wheel-drive for the core model and more driving range for every type - has revealed, along with local distributor vow to maintain Clean Car rebate eligibility.

The Sino-Swede make’s Auckland-based distributor is clearing the decks for the second significant update for the sedan within 18 months, with all current stock appearing to be at special sale pricing.

While Polestar NZ is not yet prepared to zero in on exact arrival timing or price adjustments in respect to the new stock - saying that information will come either in August or September - fans of the Volvo-spawned electric-car brand are hardly being left in the dark about what’s coming.

That’s because the country with which NZ buddies for a common range, Australia, has divulged everything in respect to technical, specification and styling changes.

In saying it is taking orders for the 2024 update ahead of showroom arrivals due later this year, our neighbour - whose status as factory operation means it has priority over NZ, where the brand represents via a private importer, Giltrap Group - which has announced price rises of $NZ3814.

That level of price increase if applied here might conceivably threaten to tip the single motor edition that accounts for most sales beyond the $80,000 limit for a Clean Car rebate, when working with full recommended retails as a base.

A spokesman for Polestar NZ today assured that won’t happen.

“New Zealand availability and pricing for MY24 Polestar 2 are still being finalised; this includes a goal of having a Polestar 2 eligible for the Clean Car Rebate.”

The drivetrain switch from front to rear-wheel was well know, as it has already been signalled for the Volvo XC40/C40 Recharge, which is on the same platform and takes the same batteries and drivetrains. Both cars come to New Zealand from a common factory in China, run by the brands’ mutual owner, Geely. The Volvos might not be here for some months yet, however.

The upgrade to the Polestar 2 electric motors, charging speeds and battery packs arrives with mild visual changes and a safety specification enhancement, set to make blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard and add in side parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, wireless phone charging, and auto-dimming side mirrors. Adaptive cruise control has remained an optional extra in Australia.

Powering the Standard Range Single Motor is now a 220kW/490Nm rear electric motor – up from a 170kW/330Nm front motor previously – and a 69kWh (gross capacity; or 67kWh usable) nickel-manganese-cobalt battery with the same capacity as before, but improved cell chemistry, according to an information share from across the Tasman.

Polestar claims up to 532km of driving range in European WLTP lab testing (up from 478km) and an estimated 0-100kmh acceleration time of 6.4 seconds.

The Long Range Single Motor marries the same new rear electric motor with a 82kWh gross/78kWh usable battery – up from 78kWh gross/75kWh usable in present stock – for up to 654km of claimed WLTP range (from 551km). A 0-100kmh time of 6.2 seconds is cited.

The flagship Long Range Dual Motor combines the larger battery with dual electric motors, now sending more power to the rear wheels than the fronts, and developing 310kW and 740Nm – so, 10kW and 80Nm more.

The rear motor is now the primary drive unit and the car has a system that can disconnect the front motor when it isn't needed.

The 0-100kmh time falls to 4.5 seconds, against 4.7s previously, and WLTP range of up to 591km is cited.

Long Range Dual Motor buyers in Australia can option a Performance Pack, for the equivalent of just under $10k, which includes a downloadable Performance Software Upgrade that lifts power to 350kW, and cuts the 0-100kmh time to 4.2s (previously 4.4s).

All models charge faster, only slightly for the standard-range battery (up from 130kW to 135kW) but more noticeable for the long-range battery (205kW, against 155kW), the latter reducing the cited 10 to 80 percent recharge time to 28 minutes.

Visual refinements comprise a body-coloured front grille inspired by the Polestar 3 SUV that is also here soon and new 20-inch wheels for the Performance Pack.

Matrix LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and lane centring assist implement in a Pilot Pack across the Tasman and a Plus Pack includes a hands-free kick sensor for the standard power tailgate, as well as a Digital Key allowing smartphone unlocking.

Runout pricing for the current car in NZ stock appears to slide $4000 to $6000 from recommended retails.