Rahul Somvanshi
From racing heritage to ice-bound testing grounds, Polestar’s Arctic Circle lineup demonstrates how electric vehicles can deliver performance in extreme conditions. The Swedish brand expands its one-off concept from 2022 into a collection featuring the Polestar 2, 3, and 4 models, each modified for winter rally conditions ahead of their February 2025 debut at the FAT International Ice Race in Austria.
Polestar’s Evolution: Racing Roots to EV Performance
Polestar began as Volvo’s performance division before transitioning to an all-electric brand in 2017. After Volvo purchased the company in 2015, the racing business was spun off under Cyan Racing while Polestar pivoted to EVs.
The brand initially struggled to establish an identity in the competitive automotive landscape. During the late 2010s, Polestar marketed itself primarily on sustainability, but recent moves show a shift back toward performance—a return to its racing heritage.
The lineup has expanded rapidly. The limited-edition hybrid Polestar 1 made its debut in 2017. The all-electric Polestar 2 high-riding fastback followed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, both the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 battery-electric SUVs began customer deliveries, bringing the active model count to three.
Technical Specifications: Arctic Circle Modifications
Each Arctic Circle model receives specific modifications to handle icy conditions, maintaining Polestar’s commitment to performance while showcasing their winter capabilities:
Suspension and Chassis Enhancements
- Polestar 3: Raised approximately 1.6 inches (40mm)
- Polestar 4: Lifted around 0.8 inches (20mm)
- All models: Equipped with three-way adjustable Öhlins dampers
Power Figures
- Polestar 2 Arctic Circle: 469 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque
- Polestar 3 Arctic Circle: 510 hp with 671 lb-ft of torque
- Polestar 4 Arctic Circle: 536 hp and 506 lb-ft of torque
Winter-Specific Equipment
- Custom studded winter tires (Pirelli Scorpion variants)
- OZ Racing wheels (19-inch on Polestar 2, with variations for other models)
- Recaro bucket seats
- LED spotlights (Stedi Quad Pro LED on some models)
- Gold tow hooks for recovery
- Rally-style mud flaps
Testing Methodology: Why Ice?
“It’s easier to develop on ice because everything is in slow motion,” explains Joakim Rydholm, Polestar’s head of driving dynamics and experienced rally driver. “When you’re on tarmac, it’s sped up.”
This “slow-motion” testing approach allows Polestar engineers to fine-tune vehicle dynamics with greater precision. The predictable, slippery nature of ice creates an environment where small adjustments have noticeable effects, helping identify handling issues that might go undetected on regular surfaces.
Testing occurs primarily in Jokkmokk, Lapland, where frozen lake beds provide ideal conditions. This extreme cold environment—with temperatures dropping to -30°C—serves as the ultimate proving ground. The reasoning is straightforward: a car that performs reliably in extreme cold will likely handle more common conditions with ease.
Polestar’s Performance DNA
According to Rydholm, all Polestar vehicles are calibrated for three distinct driving behaviors:
- Steering: Communicative, responsive, and precise
- Chassis: Balanced, despite the challenges posed by heavy battery packs
- Braking: “Predictable, well-tuned” systems that blend electronic braking (up to 0.3 Gs) with mechanical brakes seamlessly
“If you drive over a bump, the car should be well-damped and not bounce,” Rydholm notes, addressing a common issue with battery-electric vehicles that often make “a predictable, jarring thud over speed bumps and railroad tracks.”
The company emphasizes the importance of components like a low center of gravity, high torsional stiffness, co-developed tires, Brembo braking systems, and Öhlins dampers (similar to those used in Lamborghinis and Koenigseggs) as key ingredients that make Polestars “drivers’ cars.”
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Modern Development: OTA Updates and Ice Testing
Development times have shortened dramatically thanks to computerization and over-the-air (OTA) updates. Rydholm describes how changes that once took weeks now happen in minutes:
“If you wanted something as simple as change in weld in a hydraulics system just a few years ago, it was a weekslong process,” he explains. Today, engineers with connected devices can modify algorithms on the spot and update test cars immediately.
This flexibility allows developers to make rapid adjustments during ice testing, then revert changes if needed—all without physically modifying hardware components. While some chassis elements still require hands-on alterations, much of the development now occurs via Wi-Fi.
Business Context and Future Outlook
New CEO Michael Lohscheller, who joined Polestar in October 2024, has outlined ambitious goals:
- Grow sales volume 30-35% through 2027
- Achieve profitability in 2025
- Generate positive cash flow from 2027
- Expand retail footprint by 75% over 24 months
“EV growth is somewhat lower than expected maybe a couple of years ago,” Lohscheller acknowledges. “Revenue growth is important for us. Then, of course, margin improvements. Margin improvements will happen because now we have three cars in the market….In combination with cost optimization.”
The company also plans to monetize carbon emissions credits—a strategy that proved lucrative for Tesla, which earned $2.76 billion from credit sales last year.
FAT International Ice Race Debut
The Arctic Circle vehicles are scheduled to make their public debut at the FAT International Ice Race in Austria on February 1, 2025. This high-profile event will showcase Polestar’s rally-inspired EVs to motorsport enthusiasts and industry experts alike.
While the Arctic Circle models are currently one-off prototypes designed primarily for special events and engineering development, their performance has sparked speculation about potential production variants in the future.
Design Approach
Polestar’s design team has been deliberate in enhancing the vehicles’ sporting character without compromising their core identity. Bold colors (including energetic yellow finishes) and minimal yet effective graphical elements are applied to make strong visual and performance statements at events like the FAT Ice Race.
Market Positioning and Competition
As electric vehicles continue to evolve, performance-focused EVs remain relatively rare. The Arctic Circle collection positions Polestar as a competitor in the niche of high-performance electric vehicles, comparable to adaptations like the Subaru Wilderness editions or other limited-edition EV rally variants.
The brand plans to continue expanding its premium performance lineup with Polestar 5, 6, and 7 models announced for the coming years, promising to deliver “predictable, fun-to-drive behind-the-wheel experiences.”
Safety and Technology Features
Though the write-up focuses on performance aspects, Polestar vehicles—including the Arctic Circle variants—incorporate advanced safety systems:
The Polestar 3, for example, features:
- Two infrared eye-tracking cameras for driver monitoring
- Nine external cameras
- 12 ultrasonic sensors
- Radar (with lidar coming soon)
These systems enable unobtrusive driver assistance, providing warnings and intervention only when truly needed—a welcome feature in modern vehicles.
Conclusion
Polestar’s Arctic Circle collection represents a bridge between the brand’s racing heritage and its all-electric future. By testing and showcasing these vehicles in extreme cold conditions, Polestar demonstrates that electric powertrains can deliver excitement comparable to high-performance gasoline engines.
As the company moves toward profitability and expands its model lineup, these winter-ready rally prototypes serve as both technology testbeds and brand statements, reinforcing Polestar’s commitment to performance, innovation, and differentiation in an increasingly competitive EV market.
