New 2023 Polestar 3 to be quickly followed by coupe-style 4 SUV

The new Polestar 3 electric SUV will be followed onto market by a more rakish-roofed SUV-coupé, called the 4, to rival the Audi Q4 E-tron Sportback and Volkswagen ID 5. 

Polestar has issued a new preview image that shows the new-for-2023 SUV duo from the rear. This is the third detailed preview image the firm has given of the 3 and shows the rear end completely undisguised, while the 4 remains sheeted - with only its distinctive wraparound rear light bar shining through. 

The 4 will sit between the Polestar 2 saloon and 3 SUV in size. It will be launched in 2023 as an entry into what the firm calls "one of the most competitive market segments in terms of demand, performance and design". The 4 will be joined a year later by the new Polestar 5 grand tourer, which will make its dynamic debut in camouflage at next week's Goodwood Festival of Speed. 

Last week, Polestar showed the 3 from the side - proving that this will be no mere adaptation of the firm's existing Polestar 2 saloon or its earlier Volvo-based 1 super-hybrid. 

Familiar Polestar styling cues are present: the Y-shaped 'Thor's Hammer' LED headlights, yellow brake calipers, wraparound rear light bar and chunky side cladding, for example. But the new SUV's rakish silhouette is all-new - more closely related to the upcoming Polestar 5 grand tourer (revealed in design patents) than it is the 2. 

A panoramic glass roof panel curves gently towards the rear, passing under a prominent rear spoiler - part of what looks to be a fairly extensive aero package, together with air-channelling vents at the leading edge of the bonnet, flush-fitting door handles and prominent rear haunches. 

Aerodynamic efficiency will be crucial in taking the Polestar 3 to a targeted range of more than 370 miles, as will a "large battery" of unspecified capacity and an efficient dual-motor powertrain. 

Polestar has given no further details on the 3's specifications, but has confirmed it will feature a 'best-in-class' lidar sensor from partner firm Luminar, as well as an advanced software stack supplied by tech giant Nvidia, with a view to integrating autonomous driving functionality. 

The firm will start building the 3 alongside the electric successor to the Volvo XC90 – with which it shares its SPA2 underpinnings – in both America and China in early 2023.

​Earlier this year, Ingenlath told Autocar that the 3 would have two rows of seats, not three, and that both single- and dual-motor versions would go on sale. He also said the 3 will be more potent than the closely related XC90 successor. 

 CEO Thomas Ingenlath said: “The Polestar 3 is the SUV for the electric age. Our design identity evolves with this high-end large luxury EV, with a strong, individual brand character.

“With this car, we bring the ‘sport’ back to the SUV, staying true to our performance roots. This is a major milestone for our company, one that boosts our growth trajectory and takes us into our next phase.”

Polestar aims to increase its global sales figures from 29,000 units in 2021 to 290,000 and be operating in 30 global markets – up from 25 now – by the end of 2025.