Polestar to use former Saab plant – report

Polestar is reportedly taking over Saab’s former production plant in Trollhattan, Sweden to expand its research and development (R&D) operations in Europe.

As reported by German publication Automobilwoche via Automotive News, the Sino-Swedish carmaker will rent the 15,000 square metre building from the city of Trollhattan.

It will be used to develop the electric powertrains and batteries for the forthcoming Polestar 5 lifback and Polestar 6 roadster.

This Swedish site was previously used for powertrain development by Saab and then later by Chinese-owner National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), which acquired the defunct Swedish brand but went out of business last month.

Polestar currently also has R&D facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden, as well as in Coventry, England. The latter of these plants is developing the lightweight bonded-aluminium platform that will underpin the Polestar 5 and Polestar 6.

Both of these models will reportedly be produced at a plant in Chongqing, China.

As previously reported, the Polestar 5 grand tourer will rival the likes of the Porsche Taycan and be unveiled in production guise in 2024. A prototype was previously shown at last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The Polestar 5 will pack a whopping 650kW of power and 900Nm of torque from its dual-motor electric powertrain. It will also feature a 800V architecture designed to allow lightning quick charge times when plugged into a DC ultra-rapid plug.

The Polestar 6, on the other hand, will bring the stunning O2 Concept to life and is set to go into production in 2026.

This all-electric roadster will feature the same dual-motor powertrain as the Polestar 5 and cost around US$200,000 (~A$300,000) when it launches.

Keen buyers were able to reserve a build slot of the concept-like Polestar 6 LA Concept edition last year for US$25,000 (~A$35,000), though all 500 units were snapped up within a week.

A Polestar Australia spokesperson previously confirmed the Polestar 6 LA Concept edition is coming Down Under, although it’s not clear exactly how many are headed our way.

MORE: Polestar 5 to pack more power than Porsche Taycan Turbo S MORE: Polestar 6 LA Concept edition sold out, coming to Australia