Polestar to Boost EV Horsepower with €1,000 Software Update

Polestar 2 Receives Performance Enhancement via Over-the-Air Update

Polestar has recently deployed an over-the-air (OTA) software update designed to significantly enhance the performance capabilities of the Polestar 2 electric vehicle.

This update results in increased torque and horsepower. Specifically, the EV now delivers 469 horsepower, representing a gain of 67hp, and 502 lb. ft of torque, an improvement of 15 lb. ft.

Improved Acceleration Performance

According to Polestar, these upgrades translate to tangible improvements in real-world driving conditions. The 0-60 MPH acceleration time is reduced by approximately one-tenth of a second, now registering at 4.4 seconds.

The most noticeable performance gains are expected during mid-range acceleration. Polestar states that accelerating from 50 to 75 MPH now takes just 2.2 seconds, a reduction of around half a second compared to the standard Polestar 2 configuration.

Availability and Cost

The performance upgrade is not provided as a standard update. It is available for purchase through the Polestar Extras store for qualifying vehicles.

Currently, the update is offered in several European countries, including the UK, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, Germany, and Austria. The cost of the upgrade is approximately €1,000 (equivalent to $1,130).

Polestar intends to extend the availability of this update to customers in the US and Canada during the spring season. Pricing details for these regions will be disclosed at a later date.

Industry Trend: Performance via OTA Updates

Polestar is not alone in offering performance enhancements through OTA updates. Tesla has also implemented a similar strategy, providing paid updates that boost acceleration in select models, such as the Model 3 and Model Y.

This approach allows automakers to deliver performance improvements to existing customers without requiring physical modifications to the vehicle.

Note: This report was originally published by Engadget.