Polestar has picked a fight, and it’s chosen a tough opponent. The next Polestar 2 is due in 2027, and it’s being built to take on BMW’s new electric i3. The engineer in charge of how Polestar’s cars ride and handle says beating the BMW isn’t optional.
- The second-generation Polestar 2 moves to a new platform with new batteries, new motors, and an 800-volt electrical system.
- A teaser shows a lower, wider sedan styled more like the Polestar 4 and Polestar 5.
- Chassis lessons from the Polestar 5, including its active dampers and steering, will carry over to the new car.
Why the Current Car Needs a Rethink
Polestar may no longer sell cars in the United States, but it still wants to be a major player in Europe’s premium EV market. The new 2 is a big part of that plan. Its main targets are the BMW i3 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric, and the Tesla Model 3 is in its sights too.
The car on sale today has deep roots. It started life in 2016 as the Volvo Concept 40.2, a year before Polestar became a dedicated EV brand. The production version premiered at the start of 2019. Plenty of people called it a Model 3 killer when it reached buyers, but its sales never got close to the Tesla’s.
The EV world has moved fast since then. A sedan that once led its class has started to feel dated. So the next one gets a new look and a long list of new tech to go with it.
New Bones and a Sharper Face
Nearly everything under the skin changes. The second-gen 2 gets a new platform along with new batteries and motors. That platform is flexible enough to underpin several models, including the mid-size Polestar 7 SUV due in 2028.
Polestar is also switching to an 800-volt electrical setup, which should make for quicker charging stops. The company hasn’t said whether the new 2 will match the BMW’s peak DC charging rate of 400 kW. Power and range figures haven’t been announced yet either.
We have a better idea of the styling. Polestar’s shadowy teaser shows a sedan that sits lower and wider than today’s car, with daytime running lights shaped like the ones on the Polestar 4 and Polestar 5. The Formula 2030 concept, revealed in September 2026, previews the design direction for both the new 2 and the upcoming 7. Think evolution rather than revolution. Going after the i3 is also expected to make the new 2 bigger than the car it replaces.
Borrowing Tricks From the Polestar 5
The most interesting part of this story may be how the car drives. Joakim Rydholm, who leads Polestar’s ride and handling work, has said plainly that the new 2 has to beat the i3. He gave a lot of credit to the Polestar 5 program. According to him, the team learned plenty while developing that car, and he named the active dampers and the steering as things that will feed into future projects.
That points to a sportier car overall. Early reports describe the new 2 as turning into a true sports sedan, with a strong focus on the fun side of driving.
A Very High Bar to Clear
Polestar didn’t pick an easy target. The new i3 rides on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform and pairs an 800-volt system with charging at up to 400 kW. It can travel up to roughly 900 km, or about 559 miles, on a charge. In Denmark, the i3 50 xDrive carries a WLTP rating of up to 892 km.
Compare that with today’s Polestar 2, which first went on sale in 2020, and the gap is easy to see. Closing it will take more than a new body. The battery, motors, and charging hardware all have to take a big step forward, and Polestar is clearly treating this car as a full reset.
What to Watch for When the New 2 Debuts in 2027
Polestar plans to reveal the new 2 next year, with a launch targeted for early 2027. Until then, the open questions are easy to list. Watch for the official range figure, the peak charging speed, and power output. Those three numbers will show whether the car can actually stand up to the i3. The other thing to watch is the driving experience. If the Polestar 5’s chassis work really carries over, the new 2 could win buyers on how it feels from behind the wheel, even if it can’t top the BMW on every spec.
If you’re shopping for a premium electric sedan in Europe and can wait a little, keep an eye on this one. Polestar is betting a lot on its new 2, and the i3 showdown will tell us whether that bet pays off.
