Polestar Gives Life to a Celebrated Performance Concept
It’s not every day a concept car makes the jump from a sketchpad to a fully functional 1:1 scale show car. Rarer still is when said show car gets the green light for production. Well, the Polestar 2 BST edition 270 just happens to be one of those automotive unicorns. Much to everyone’s relief, the Swedish brand recently announced the car that it sent up the hill at Goodwood last year will be available for purchase. But there’s a catch.
As you might have guessed, the “270” in the name is a significant set of digits. Thankfully, it doesn’t indicate the horsepower or torque figure, but it does let you know how many examples are slated for production. The limited production number is a bummer, however, it’s nice to see Polestar loosen the leash on the Polestar Engineering department and give life to a performance-focused EV.
“We had a great reaction to the specially modified Polestar 2 we showed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2021 and the response made it clear — we should create a version like that for production,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. While Tesla certainly broke the mold when it came to stereotypically boring eco-obsessed EVs, Polestar is hellbent on advancing the performance EV category. The Polestar 2 is a practical yet sharply designed four-door fastback, but it’s just a foundation. Speaking at Goodwood last year, chief chassis engineer Joakim Rydholm said, “This car is what happens when we are given freedom to go beyond our limits.”
Sending power to the wheels is one electric motor on each axle and a 78 kWh battery tuned to churn out 476 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. To keep all that thrust under control, the Polestar 2 BST edition 270 received chassis modifications including a lowered ride height, purpose-built Öhlins 2-way adjustable dampers, a front strut bar, stiffer springs, and Polestar 1-inspired 21-inch alloy wheels. The 270 also gets four-piston Brembo brakes paired with P Zero tires that Pirelli specifically made for the occasion.
Additionally, and arguably just as important as the performance mods, the limited-edition model comes in your choice of either Thunder or Snow exterior colours. The side mirrors come in gloss black, but the brake calipers, valve caps, and seatbelts come in the signature ‘Swedish Gold’. There’s also an optional $6,500 full-body Battleship Gray satin wrap, but if that’s too excessive, there’s always the matte black racing stripe for an extra $1,000. You have to love how Swedish excessiveness is still incredibly subtle and delightfully classy.
Should you decide against the vinyl wrap or racing stripe, the Polestar 2 BST edition 270 will carry a price tag of $90,000. For a limited edition version of an already scarce car, that’s a bargain for a level of exclusivity you normally see in the high six-figure range. Not to mention with that performance, at that MSRP, you’re in Audi RS5 territory. While the RS5 is undoubtedly an entertaining way to get from A to B, it’s not every day you get the chance to own a bonafide concept car come-to-life.
Learn more about the Polestar 2 BST edition 270 here.
