Polestar 2, the renowned electric liftback, is set to undergo a remarkable update that includes transitioning its single-motor variants from front-wheel drive (FWD) to rear-wheel drive (RWD). The update was recently announced by Polestar and includes significant changes for the model that currently competes with Tesla's Model 3. The enhancements encompass new electric motor setups, improved power and range, exterior design tweaks, and more standard features. It's anticipated that this update could also lead to a price hike, though this has not been confirmed yet.

Prospective Australian customers will have the opportunity to place orders for the 2024 Polestar 2 in the second quarter of 2023 through the Polestar Australia website. Initial deliveries are slated for the third quarter of 2023.

This overhaul of the Polestar 2 for the 2024 model year echoes the recent changes seen in the Volvo XC40 and C40 Recharge electric crossovers, both of which share the same CMA architecture and are produced in the same factory in China.

As part of this upgrade, two new single-motor RWD powertrains will be introduced to the Polestar 2, effectively replacing the existing single-motor FWD powertrains. The Standard Range Single Motor variant now boasts a single rear-mounted electric motor that generates 200kW of power and 490Nm of torque, signifying an increase of 30kW and 160Nm. This variant continues to feature a 69kWh battery, though it's a new pack sourced from LG Chem. With a declared range of 518km under WLTP testing (up 40km), it also supports DC fast-charging at a maximum rate of 135kW, an increase from the previous 130kW.

Meanwhile, the Long Range Single Motor variant is powered by a single rear-mounted motor that now generates a boosted power output of 220kW. This variant includes a newly sourced 82kWh lithium-ion battery pack from CATL, offering a claimed range of 635km (up 84km) according to WLTP standards. It also supports DC fast-charging at a maximum rate of 205kW, a notable increase from the previous 155kW.

The Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor is the final model to receive significant powertrain enhancements. It's now equipped with a rear-biased dual-electric motor AWD powertrain that delivers a combined system output of 310kW and 740Nm, an increase of 10kW and 80Nm. According to Polestar, this variant can reach 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. The Long Range Dual Motor variant also includes the new CATL-sourced 82kWh lithium-ion battery, boasting a substantial range increase of 105km, resulting in a total WLTP-tested range of 592km.

In addition to powertrain and battery enhancements, the 2024 Polestar 2 features a revamped front grille, inspired by the Polestar 3 SUV. This new 'SmartZone' grille is designed to house the vehicle's front-facing camera and mid-range radar. The 20-inch forged alloy wheels in the Performance Pack for the Long Range Dual Motor variant have also been updated to resemble those of the Polestar 3. Furthermore, all Polestar 2 variants now come standard with a wireless phone charger and auto-dimming exterior side mirrors.

While Australian pricing details for the 2024 Polestar 2 have yet to be disclosed, they are expected to be released around the time when orders open. Despite the added features and power, it is reasonable to anticipate a price increase, particularly given recent price cuts from competitor Tesla.

Last year, Polestar 2 was the fourth highest-selling electric vehicle (EV) in Australia with a total of 1524 units sold. It lagged behind the Tesla Model 3 (10,877 sales), Tesla Model Y (8717 sales), and BYD Atto 3 (2113 sales). However, Polestar as a company enjoyed significant sales growth, with an estimated 51,500 vehicles sold in 2022, representing a hefty 80% increase year-on-year. This increase was largely due to strong fourth-quarter sales of 21,000 vehicles, and the company aims to further expand its sales to 80,000 units in 2023.

The Chinese-owned Swedish brand has notably addressed a gap in its standard driver-assistance technology by making blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard features on all Polestar 2 models. Previously, these features were only included in a $3400 option pack.

The Plus Pack (previously priced at $6000) now includes a hands-free kick sensor for the standard power tailgate and a Digital Key that enables car unlocking via the owner's smartphone. The 'activity key,' a waterproof key fob for beach or pool visits, is now an optional extra.

Apart from substantial mechanical upgrades, the 2024 models will feature a surround-view camera, side parking sensors, a wireless phone charging pad, and auto-dimming side mirrors. However, adaptive cruise control will remain part of an option package.

Polestar Australia has yet to confirm the local pricing for the updated model, but as a benchmark, UK prices have risen by 4% to 7%. This suggests an estimated starting price of $66,500 plus on-road costs and options for the entry-level model (an increase of approximately $2500), or $78,500 plus on-road costs and options for the top-of-the-range dual-motor model (vs $73,400 for the current model).

Orders for the 2024 Polestar 2 in Australia are slated to open in the second quarter of 2023 (April to June), with the first deliveries expected in the third quarter (July to September 2023). More detailed Australian specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the launch date.