2026 Polestar 3 gets a new rear motor, up to 500 kW of power, and an 800V architecture

Polestar 3 receives a substantial upgrade for the 2026 model year. The SPA2 platform underpinning the model introduces an 800V electrical architecture. As a result, the vehicle now supports up to 350 kW DC charging, meaning that the 10–80% battery charge benchmark can take as little as 22 minutes, which is more than 25% faster than before. The new architecture also brings enhanced efficiency, up to 6% according to the WLTP cycle, and supports the integration of new lithium-ion batteries from supplier CATL: a 92 kWh battery pack for the Polestar 3 Rear motor version and a 106 kWh battery pack for the Polestar 3 Dual motor and Polestar 3 Performance variants.

All versions of Polestar 3 now benefit from a new in-house developed permanent magnet synchronous rear motor that delivers higher output. Paired with an asynchronous front motor, the new configuration delivers up to 500 kW of total power in the Performance variant. The front motor now features automatic disconnect functionality when not needed, just as on Dual motor versions of Polestar 2, improving efficiency and range during everyday driving. The new rear motor also means the power balance has shifted to a greater rear bias than before. Combined with updated anti-roll bars and extensive software refinement for the steering, the result is an even more direct and engaging driving experience across all model variants.

Polestar 3 continues to lead the way as the first European software-defined vehicle, now with a major upgrade to its core computing system that is the foundation. The NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor replaces the previous Xavier unit, increasing processing power from 30 to 254 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This leap with more than eight times increase in computing power enables faster, more intelligent management of active safety systems, battery performance, and sensor data.

In line with Polestar’s commitment to continuous improvement, this hardware upgrade will also be offered as a complimentary retrofit to all existing Polestar 3 customers, with upgrades of customer cars planned to start in the beginning of 2026. The complimentary hardware change will be performed at a Polestar authorised service point, and customers will be contacted when the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor is available to be fitted.

The new Polestar 3 trim levels, mentioned above, will also be expressed through the seatbelt design, with solid black for Rear motor, black with Swedish gold stripe for Dual motor, and belts in full Swedish gold for the Performance version, reinforcing its position as the most powerful expression of Polestar 3. The new Climate pack includes heated rear seats, steering wheel, and front wiper blades. The new Prime pack option bundles together Pilot, Plus, and Climate packs in combination with rear privacy glass. Audio system Bowers & Wilkins for Polestar, with headrest speakers and active road noise cancellation, is now offered both as a single option and as part of the Plus pack.

Design is updated with the new exterior colour option Storm, a dark grey metallic that replaces Thunder, and the door text graphics are updated to now include model variant and a larger font for the Polestar 3 name. Inside, the standard upholstery is upgraded to Bio-attributed MicroTech in Charcoal with repurposed aluminium deco that previously was an optional extra.

The upgraded Polestar 3 will go on sale first in the UK due to high demand and the previous model year being sold out in that market. Other markets will follow at a later date.

The Polestar 5 four-door performance Grand Tourer was officially launched at IAA Mobility 2025. The model is available in two versions – the Polestar 5 Dual Motor and the Polestar 5 Performance. Both have an AWD system with a ZF-made front motor and an in-house developed electric rear motor that contributes up to 450 kW and 660 Nm to the Polestar 5 Performance’s 650 kW and 1015 Nm total power output. This allows the…

9 September 2025

Polestar is continuing with its commitment to comprehensively update the Polestar 3 throughout its lifecycle. Since delivering the first customer Polestar 3 in June 2024, the Swedish brand has implemented nine software updates to its flagship SUV, while across its three-car range, it has delivered over 30 OTA software updates since launching the Polestar 2 in 2020. This most recent OTA software update for the…

20 February 2025

Polestar has started US production of the Long range Single motor variant of its flagship SUV, the Polestar 3. Complete with a certified WLTP range of up to 706 km/438 mi (WLTP)/ 350 mi (EPA) the full-size SUV offers one of the longest ranges in its class and all for a new entry price of EUR 79,890, including handover fee. The entry-level Polestar 3 uses the same 111 kWh battery pack as the Dual motor version…

5 December 2024

Polestar announced that the production of its luxury SUV, Polestar 3, has started in South Carolina, USA. This makes the model the first Polestar to be produced on two continents. The factory in South Carolina produces cars for customers in the US and Europe, complementing existing production in Chengdu, China. The company is also taking additional steps to diversify its wider manufacturing footprint, with…

17 August 2024

The Polestar 3 production in Chengdu, China, started at the end of February. Additional production is slated to start in South Carolina, USA, in the middle of 2024. The first early production test series in the American factory has been completed successfully. Polestar 3 will be the first Polestar to be produced on two continents, supporting the company’s growth ambitions across North America, Europe, and Asia…

6 March 2024

Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC welcomes Geely Sweden Holding as a potential direct new shareholder. Volvo Cars is evaluating a potential adjustment to its shareholding in Polestar including a distribution of shares to its shareholders, with Geely Sweden Holding being the primary recipient. Volvo Cars will remain a strategic partner in areas across R&D, manufacturing, after-sales, and commercial. Polestar has…

7 February 2024

Polestar 4 is now officially on sale in Europe and Australia. Following the start of production and first deliveries in China at the end of 2023, online sales commence with a starting indicative price of EUR 63,200 and AUD 81,500. Production is planned to start towards the middle of 2024, with the first deliveries expected from August. Polestar 4 transforms the aerodynamics of a coupé and the space of an SUV into a…

7 February 2024

Polestar confirmed the successful start of production of Polestar 4, with first deliveries to customers in China expected before the end of 2023. Official launch in all other Polestar markets is planned for early 2024, with customer deliveries in these markets expected within the same year. The first production car to roll off the assembly line is finished in Snow with the signature Swedish gold details of the…

17 November 2023

Polestar confirmed the next step in diversifying its manufacturing footprint. Manufacturing of Polestar 4 in Hangzhou Bay, China, will be complemented with manufacturing in Busan, South Korea, expected to start during the second half of 2025. An agreement has been reached between Polestar, Geely Holding and Renault Korea Motors (RKM), that will bring contract manufacturing of Polestar 4 vehicles for the North…

13 November 2023

Polestar 2 receives an improved range, efficiency, and performance while reducing its carbon footprint as part of significant updates for the 2024 model year. The model’s price starts from $93,990 with availability to order from tomorrow – November 9. Polestar 2 can now travel up to 22% further, consume up to 9% less energy, and charge up to 34% faster, thanks to hardware upgrades, including larger batteries and new…

8 November 2023

Polestar and South Korean battery manufacturer SK On have signed an agreement on the supply of battery cell modules for the forthcoming Polestar 5 electric 4-door GT. Polestar chose SK On due to its superior battery cell technology that offers high-performing chemistry, fast charging, efficient discharging, and superior driving range. The high-nickel battery cell modules comprise ultra-long 56 cm cells with high…

6 November 2023

The development of Polestar 3 continues at pace and is nearing completion, after two weeks of extreme hot weather testing in the United Arab Emirates. With production planned to start in the first quarter of 2024, Polestar will soon have three models on the road, including the two new SUVs, Polestar 3 and Polestar 4. Following its global dynamic debut at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, Polestar 3…

27 September 2023

Polestar has brought the winning design from the latest Polestar Design Contest to life as a 1:1 scale model, presented in Munich during IAA 2023. At the same time, Polestar is kicking off a partnership with Mattel’s Hot Wheels brand, starting with Hot Wheels providing the inspiration for the next Polestar Design Contest that references the innovative and outrageous designs from the American brand’s 55-year history…

5 September 2023

Polestar has signed an agreement with Tesla to adopt the new North American Charging Standard (NACS) which will enable access to Tesla’s expansive Supercharger network for all Polestar drivers in the United States and Canada. From 2025, new Polestar vehicles sold in North America will be equipped with the NACS charging port by default. Adapters to help allow existing Polestar drivers to access the network in a…

29 June 2023