Polestar’s Explore app lets you buy and unlock your car with your phone

Polestar has announced the launch of their Polestar Explore app which is designed to be a digital customer experience.

From the app (on Android or iOS) you can get details about the Polestar 2, configure it and then pre-order it via a subscription or an outright purchase when the vehicle goes into production in next year.

“We are making it hassle-free and easier for customers to engage with the Polestar brand and enjoy their car. From finding out information about Polestar cars, through to subscribing for a new Polestar, all the way to starting your car using our Phone-as-Key technology – everything can be done through your mobile device,” comments Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar.

“The addition of the new Polestar Explore app brings our awesome new car configurator to a mobile platform with a simple and engaging interface. At the same time, we continue our plans to create a global network of Polestar Spaces where our customers can visit us in person if they want to.”

The company will soon be opening Polestar Spaces which are retail environments which that allow customers to ask product experts questions, conduct test drives and also assist with purchases.

The Polestar 2 has two electric motors and a 78 kWh battery with a range of up to 500 km. There is also an all-wheel-drive electric powertrain that produces 300 kW (about 408 hp) and 600 Nm (487 lb-ft).

Once you receive your Polestar 2, you’ll be able to use your phone as the key to your car via the company’s “Phone-as-Key technology.”

Polestar 2 is one of the first cars to use an embedded infotainment system powered by Android. The company says, “The Android backbone provides a solid and adaptable digital environment for apps and vehicle functions to coexist, and brings embedded Google services to a car for the first time – including the Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store. Natural voice control and a new 11-inch touch screen display bring the new interface to life.”

Pre-orders for the Polestar 2 are available now at Polestar.com and the Polestar Explore app. Production of the vehicle is set to begin in early 2020 in China for global markets (both left- and right-hand drive).

In terms of pricing, the Polestar 2 will cost $69,900 CAD ($63,000 USD/59,900 euros) for the launch edition (which will be the only model available for the first 12 months) and then start at around $45,000 USD/39,900 euros (Canadian pricing TBC) afterwards.

Source: Polestar