Volvo's Brand Polestar Confirms That the Polestar 6 Electric Roadster Will Enter Production and Launch in 2026

author: Eric Walz   

The Polestar 6 Roadster will have a top speed of 155 mph and a range of over 300 miles.

Electric performance car brand Polestar has confirmed plans to put its electric roadster concept into production. The production version of the battery-powered sportscar car is expected to launch in 2026 as the "Polestar 6". 

Interested customers in all of Polestar's global markets are able to reserve a build slot online beginning today.

"With the overwhelming consumer and press response, we took the decision to put this stunning roadster into production and I am so excited to make it a reality," says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. "Polestar 6 is a perfect combination of powerful electric performance and the thrill of fresh air with the top down."

The concept EV was first unveiled in Los Angeles in March as the Polestar O2 and was intended to showcase Polestar's vision for future sports cars. At the time, Polestar said that the O2 hard-top convertible "redefines sports roadsters for the electric age."

Polestar was able to take the classic look of iconic roadsters of the past and incorporate the design elements into a modern, fully-electric roadster.

"Polestar O2 is the hero car for our brand," said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO in March when the 02 was unveiled. "It opens the door to our secret chamber of future potential."

The Polestar O2 concept follows the unveiled Precept Concept sedan in 2020. Both vehicles were designed to showcase the innovation and potential of the electric Polestar brand. The Precept will move from the concept phase and will be released as a production vehicle named the "Polestar 5" in 2024.

The hard-top convertible will be built on Polestar's bonded aluminum platform. Developed in-house, it will feature the high-performance, 800-Volt electric architecture already confirmed for Polestar 5. 

The bonded aluminum platform of the 02 heighten's the EV's dynamic response. Different grades of aluminum are used throughout the chassis to help deliver a thrilling driving experience, according to Polestar.

The Polestar 6's electric powertrain will produce 650 kW (884 hp) and 900 Nm from its dual motor powertrain, according to Polestar. The company is targeting a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. Range is expected to be over 300 miles.

The aerodynamics of the 02 concept can be controlled while driving to maximize range. The roadster features integrated ducts that improve airflow over the wheels and body sides. Another unique feature is the rear lights that also function as "air blades" to reduce turbulence behind the car.

Further technical details and specification confirmations will be released leading up to the expected launch in 2026.

To celebrate the upcoming launch of the Polestar 6, 500 numbered units of a special "LA Concept" version dubbed the Polestar 6 LA Concept edition. Each of the 500 vehicles will exclusively feature the unique ‘Sky' blue exterior, light leather interior and unique 21-inch wheels of the original Polestar 02 concept.

The electric roadster concept will be on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance events from Aug 18 -21 as part of Monterey Car Week in California.

Over the next several years, Polestar plans to launch one new EV each year, starting with the Polestar 3 electric performance SUV later this year. The Polestar 3 will be followed by Polestar 4, a smaller electric performance SUV coupe in 2024. Following the Polestar 4, the Polestar 5 sedan is also scheduled to launch in 2024.

Polestar was established in 2017 as a new standalone electric vehicle brand. The company was founded by Volvo Cars and its parent company Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Ltd ("Geely"). The company is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Polestar's first mass-market EV was the Polestar 2, which is currently available in markets across Europe, North America, China and Asia Pacific. By 2023, Polestar plans to be present in at least 30 global markets.  

The Polestar 2 was recognized as the world's first vehicle to come with Google's Android Automotive OS built in. Android Automotive OS is an embedded version of Android that Google developed specifically for automakers. This means that drivers can use all of their favorite Google and Android apps right from the vehicle's infotainment screen without having to sync a smartphone. 

The Polestar 2 comes with Google Maps for navigation, along with a suite of available third-party apps that owners can download to the vehicles. 

Polestar cars are currently manufactured in two facilities in China, with additional future manufacturing planned in the U.S. at Volvo's factory in South Carolina.

The forthcoming Polestar 3 SUV will be manufactured at the Volvo Cars' production center in Ridgeville, South Carolina. All of the Polestar 3 electric SUVs built in South Carolina will be sold in the U.S., the company said.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.