Polestar has revealed its Polestar 2 five-door fastback, which launches next year to bring a rival to the Tesla Model 3.

Polestar 2

Marked out as the Volvo offshoot’s second production car and its first fully electric car and volume model, the Polestar 2 is built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture platform (CMA), which debuted on the XC40, and features two electric motors to give all-wheel drive plus a 78kWh battery, which will be integrated into the floor and available to charge through a connected digital solution, in-car and on mobile devices.

The brand says it will offer a targeted WLTP range of 500km (311 miles) while the 408hp drivetrain will deliver 660Nm, giving a 0-100kph time of less than five seconds.

The range will eventually be priced from €39,900 (£34k) but will only be offered in a higher-equipped launch edition for the first 12 months of production, priced from €59,900 (£51k)

“Polestar 2 is our first fully electric car and first volume model. Everything about it has been designed and engineered with passion and dedication. As an electric performance brand, and through the forthcoming launch of a portfolio of fully electric cars, Polestar is determined to address the world’s air quality challenges. Polestar delivers electric performance cars that are great to own and drive,” said Thomas Ingenlath, chief executive officer of Polestar.

On-board tech will include an Android-based infotainment system – including the Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store and featuring voice control and a 11-inch touchscreen display. There’ll also be Phone-as-Key technology to enable car sharing as well as Polestar’s connected services such as pick-up and delivery.

Production of Polestar 2 begins in early 2020 in China for global markets in both left and right-hand drive.

Initial launch markets include China, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Other markets are under consideration for future expansion.