The Polestar 3 lineup is getting a new addition: a single-motor rear-wheel-drive version. This new model will use the same 107.0-kWh battery pack as the dual-motor variants but will have less power, delivering 295 horsepower and 361 lb.-ft. of torque. While Polestar has not yet confirmed the pricing for North America, it is anticipated that this new model will start at just under $70,000 when it becomes available this summer.
Although the Polestar 3 is already available in Europe, the single-motor version will be added to the lineup before it reaches U.S. customers. This new variant will join the all-wheel-drive Long Range Dual Motor and Long Range Dual Motor Performance models, offering less horsepower but potentially more range.
With only one motor driving the rear axle, the rear-wheel-drive Polestar 3 produces significantly less power than its dual-motor counterparts. It has 295 horsepower and 361 lb.-ft. of torque, compared to 483 horsepower in the standard dual-motor version and 510 horsepower in the Performance model.
Despite the decrease in power, the rear-wheel-drive model is expected to provide a longer range. It shares the same 107.0-kWh battery pack as the dual-motor versions, allowing for charging speeds of up to 250 kW with a DC fast charger.
Although EPA figures are not yet available, Polestar claims that the Long Range Single Motor trim can travel just over 400 miles between charges according to WLTP testing. This suggests that the rear-wheel-drive model may surpass the range of the dual-motor models, which are rated at 315 miles for the Long Range version and 279 miles for the Performance model.
The rear-wheel-drive Polestar 3 may have one less motor, but it retains the features and comfort of the more powerful versions. Polestar offers a full list of options for this entry-level model, including six paint colors, various interior finishes, and four wheel options, including a new set of 21-inch alloy wheels available with the Pro Pack.
While the pricing for North America is still unconfirmed, it is expected that the starting price for the rear-wheel-drive model will be just below $70,000, potentially benefiting from tax incentives for being manufactured in South Carolina. This price point would place it $5,000 below the Long Range Dual Motor version and over $10,000 below the Performance model. Production for North America is slated to begin this summer, with deliveries expected to start later in the year.
