Photo: Polestar
Even though production is set to start in the middle of 2019, development of the Polestar 1 is coming along nicely. And with each and every step, Volvo’s performance division takes the opportunity to tease us with the finest of details.
This time around, Polestar took to explain the integral role that carbon fiber reinforced polymer has in this application. According to the Swedish automaker, CFRP produces “overall weight savings of more than 500 pounds versus steel.” By shedding that weight, carbon fiber is a core contributor to the way the car handles.
The carbon fiber body shell of the 1 “represents the first time that the Volvo Car Group has explored carbon fiber construction.” But then again, what did you expect from Polestar, the technological spearhead of the group? As for where that CFRP will be manufactured, the answer comes in the form of Chengdu, China, in the same plant where the super grand tourer with plug-in hybrid propulsion will be made.
Used extensively in the vehicle’s structure, parts that are made from carbon fiber include the hood, trunk, side panels, doors, and the roof structure. According to Christian Samson, head of product creation at Polestar, the 1 features a “dragonfly.”
Through the dragonfly-shaped design (pictured), Polestar improves the torsional stiffness between the middle of the floor and front-rear. “When you combine this strengthened framework with the super-strong body and roof structure, you get a stiff and communicative chassis which translates driver input into superb driving characteristics,” added Samson about the 600-horsepower plug-in hybrid coupe.
Regarding the glass panel that stretches the length and width of the roof, that’s integrated with minimal intrusion for a panoramic view of the blue (or starry) sky. All in all, Polestar has a lot to be proud, especially for its first stand-alone model.
Priced at $155,000, the Polestar 1 will make its dynamic debut next month at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Chief test driver Joakim Rydholm will take the 1 up the hill climb on Lord March’s domain.
The carbon fiber body shell of the 1 “represents the first time that the Volvo Car Group has explored carbon fiber construction.” But then again, what did you expect from Polestar, the technological spearhead of the group? As for where that CFRP will be manufactured, the answer comes in the form of Chengdu, China, in the same plant where the super grand tourer with plug-in hybrid propulsion will be made.
Used extensively in the vehicle’s structure, parts that are made from carbon fiber include the hood, trunk, side panels, doors, and the roof structure. According to Christian Samson, head of product creation at Polestar, the 1 features a “dragonfly.”
Through the dragonfly-shaped design (pictured), Polestar improves the torsional stiffness between the middle of the floor and front-rear. “When you combine this strengthened framework with the super-strong body and roof structure, you get a stiff and communicative chassis which translates driver input into superb driving characteristics,” added Samson about the 600-horsepower plug-in hybrid coupe.
Regarding the glass panel that stretches the length and width of the roof, that’s integrated with minimal intrusion for a panoramic view of the blue (or starry) sky. All in all, Polestar has a lot to be proud, especially for its first stand-alone model.
Priced at $155,000, the Polestar 1 will make its dynamic debut next month at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Chief test driver Joakim Rydholm will take the 1 up the hill climb on Lord March’s domain.
Google News