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Polestar 5 Debuts as Minimalist Electric Grand Tourer With Split WLTP Range

Polestar confirmed the 5’s 112 kWh battery and twin dual-motor grades after a Sweden-to-Sahara press drive and used start-up mode certification that makes the Performance model show a lower official WLTP range.

Overview

  • Polestar has revealed the 5’s core specs: a bespoke bonded-aluminium chassis, a 112 kWh battery, an 800V electrical architecture and two dual-motor grades rated at 550 kW/812 Nm and 650 kW/1,015 Nm with 0–100 km/h in 3.9s and 3.2s respectively.
  • Polestar ran an extended journalist drive using early-production cars shipped from China to Europe and North Africa to demonstrate long-distance comfort, composure and handling on routes from Gothenburg to Ouarzazate.
  • The company used WLTP certification rules to set different start-up modes for each grade, certifying the Long Range Dual Motor in Range Mode and the Performance in Performance Mode, which produces a lower official WLTP range for the Performance model despite similar real-world capability.
  • Polestar says charging peaks at 350 kW with a 10–80% time of about 22 minutes on a 350 kW charger, and it plans a staged Q3 2026 rollout with Australian pricing published and Singapore timing confirmed but local pricing still to be announced.
  • The 5’s bespoke engineering and high unit cost position it against the Porsche Taycan and Audi e‑tron GT and help explain Polestar’s decision to pause work on the near-complete 6 roadster as the company focuses resources on this flagship and higher-volume models.