There is a slim chance that the Polestar 2 will make its way over here through the same distributor
It seems that the decision to promote electric vehicles made by the Singaporean government has encouraged foreign EV companies to set up their operations in the small island nation.
Back in February, Tesla confirmed that it is making a return to the republic with the launch of its online sales portal. Not only that, the Californian EV manufacturer is also set to open its first service centre in Toa Payoh sometime this month.
Now, it’s the turn of Polestar to announce its arrival in the country. The Swedish premium electric performance brand said it has appointed Wearnes Automotive as its exclusive distributor there. Wearnes is a multi-brand distributor that holds the rights for a range of luxury marques, including Croatian electric hypercar start-up Rimac.
Since the Polestar 1 is no longer in production, the Polestar 2 will be the only offering for the Singaporean market. The fully-electric fastback will be available in three variants as follows:
- Standard Single Motor – 165 kW/330 Nm, 69 kWh battery
- Long Range Single Motor – 170 kW/330 Nm, 78 kWh battery
- Long Range Dual Motor – 300 kW/660 Nm, 78 kWh battery
As for its distribution channel, Wearnes has confirmed that a Polestar Space, located at its existing auto hub on 45 Leng Kee Road, will open its doors to the public in November this year.
With this announcement, it is fair to say that Malaysia has once again been overlooked by these EV manufacturers. However, do note that Wearnes does have an existing operation here as Bentley’s and Aston Martin’s official distributor, so there is a slim chance that the Polestar 2 will make its way over here after all. That being said, we have a feeling that vague EV policy in the NAP, lack of demand and weak charging infrastructure could be just some of the factors that may deter this.
PRESS RELEASE
Polestar, the Swedish premium electric performance brand, has appointed the leading pan-Asia luxury car retailer, Wearnes Automotive, as its exclusive distributor in Singapore.
Nathan Forshaw, Polestar’s Head of China and Asia Pacific, comments: “Entering into the local market as a premium electric brand, we found a natural partner in Wearnes Automotive and we are excited to join their portfolio of premium and luxury brands.”
Polestar vehicles will be retailed and serviced by Wearnes Automotive.
“We are truly excited to be the official retail and service partner to Polestar in Singapore,” says Andre Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Wearnes Automotive. “As the electric sector gathers momentum, Polestar 2 will establish itself as a truly enjoyable, premium electric alternative. We pride ourselves on the ‘Wearnes Experience’, giving our customers unparalleled levels of service and excellence. This fits the Polestar strategy perfectly.”
Polestar Space
Polestar Spaces are bespoke retail environments where consumers can interact physically with the brand, meeting with Polestar Specialists to explore the car in more detail, including test drives.
The Polestar Space in Singapore, to be located at 45 Leng Kee Road, will open to the public in November 2021.
Polestar 2
Polestar 2 offers avant-garde design and a unique customer experience in the premium compact electric segment, providing an all-vegan interior, sustainable execution of materials and useable performance.
Launched internationally in 2020, Polestar 2 has won high favour with customers, fans and the world’s press during its first year on sale. Awards and accolades include Car of the Year titles in Norway and Switzerland, BBC Top Gear magazine’s Best All-Round EV, Red Dot’s Best of the Best for Product Design, and the coveted Golden Steering Wheel in Germany.
“Polestar 2 is our first fully electric car and first volume model. Everything about it has been designed and engineered with passion and dedication. As an electric performance brand, and through the forthcoming launch of a portfolio of fully electric cars, we are determined to address the shift towards sustainable electric mobility with avant-garde, high-quality and fun-to-drive products,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar.
In Singapore the Polestar 2 model range will include three versions, each offering a mix of performance and range. The Standard range Single motor version features a 165 kW/ 330 Nm electric motor and a 69 kWh battery pack. The Long range Single motor version increases battery capacity to 78 kWh and features a 170 kW/ 330 Nm powertrain. The range-topping Long range Dual motor variant features two electric motors and the 78 kWh battery, with a total output of 300 kW and 660 Nm. Detailed pricing and specifications will be released later in the year.
Polestar 2 was the first car in the world to feature Google built-in. The Android Automotive OS backbone provides a solid and adaptable digital environment for apps and vehicle functions to coexist and brought embedded Google services to a car for the first time – including the Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store. Natural voice control and an 11-inch touch screen display bring the new interface to life. Constant connectivity also ensures that all apps stay updated – as well as the car itself. With Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, Polestar regularly produces software updates that include new features and upgrades, ensuring that a Polestar 2 always feels like a new car.
