Volvo off-shoot Polestar is looking forward to an eventful year. It will begin production of the 3, its first crossover, and it will release a comprehensively updated version of the 2 sedan that’s sportier than the outgoing model, more road trip-friendly, and better equipped.
The biggest visual difference between the original 2 and the new-look car due out in 2023 as a 2024 model is found on the front end. The electric sedan swaps its grille for what Polestar designers call a SmartZone that frames the front-facing camera and covers the mid-range radar used to power some of the electronic driving aids. While the shift isn’t significant, it’s symbolic. The grille created a visual link between the 2 and the 1, Polestar’s now-retired first model; the SmartZone brings the sedan in line with the sleek-looking 3 unveiled in late 2022.
Bigger changes are found beneath the sheet metal. The entry-level version of the 2 is now rear-wheel-drive (it was front-wheel-drive through the 2023 model year) and powered by a new electric motor rated at 299 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque. For context, the outgoing 2 posted figures of 231 and 243, respectively. The EPA-estimated driving range increases from 265 to about 300 miles thanks to a new, 82-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, and the system is compatible with 205-kilowatt fast charging. These changes increase the 2’s appeal.
The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive model remains available and positioned at the top of the range. Its output checks in at 421 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque (up from 408 and 467, respectively, before the update), though the optional Performance Package unlocks a 455-horsepower punch. Although the battery pack used is the same 78-kilowatt-hour unit fitted to the outgoing model, the driving range increases to approximately 270 miles because the powertrain automatically disconnects the front-mounted motor when it’s not needed to save energy.
All versions of the 2 regardless of driven wheels gain a standard wireless device charger for 2024. Additionally, the all-wheel-drive model receives a suite of electronic driving aids called Pilot Pack that includes a blind spot information system with steering support, cross-traffic alert with brake support, a rear collision warning mitigation system, a 360-degree camera, and Pilot Assist, among other features.
Motorists can reserve a 2024 Polestar 2 by visiting the company’s website. Pricing information hasn’t been announced yet.
Volkswagen’s newest EVs in China are making its American and European models look unusually conservative.
With Xpeng’s help, VW has introduced 800-volt charging and advanced urban driving assistance. The new VEGA technology package brings its locally developed vehicle platforms and CEA electronic architecture under one umbrella. Bloomberg reports that Volkswagen intends to update VEGA every three months. Western buyers can find pieces of that package, but not the whole thing in a Volkswagen.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?