Heavy snowfalls and frigid temperatures

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If there’s any country comparable to Canada, Sweden might be at the top of the list. They each share large swaths of forest, social democracies, a love of outdoor sports and, of course, moose.

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And don’t forget the brutal winters. With heavy snowfalls and frigid temperatures, Swedes are no strangers to the hazards and difficulties of driving on ice and snow.

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Which is why Polestar, based in Gothenburg, Sweden, designs its vehicles with winter in mind. The brand is serious about winter testing; it takes its cars to Lapland, the northernmost province in Sweden above the Arctic Circle, to ensure that its designs and engineering are up to the task.

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Polestar also occasionally takes their vehicles to frigid Canadian climes, like it did earlier this year at the ice track of Circuit Mécaglisse in Quebec. Showcasing the Polestar 4 equipped with studded winter tires, invited guests were let loose around icy curves surrounded by high snowbanks to experience for themselves the prowess of Polestar in extreme winter conditions.

Equipped for Winters

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Structured driving sessions and professional instructors guided drivers from grip to drift. And yes, that also involves learning the famous “Scandi Flick” manoeuvre.

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With guests in the Polestar 4 driver’s seat (heated, of course) Polestar’s AWD system and 544 horsepower helped get the car moving quickly with sure-footed traction. And with the instant 506 lb.-ft. of torque from Polestar’s all-electric drive, it was easy to initiate a slide with a stab of the throttle and a quick turn of the steering wheel (also heated).

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But it’s no easy task to keep a Polestar vehicle in a slide; it’s engineered, after all, to stay pointed in the right direction, no matter the conditions. A long 2,999-millimetre wheelbase, for example, makes for a more stable and balanced drive. Torque vectoring actively works to keep the vehicle from sliding by applying brake to selected wheels to limit wheelspin in the event of a loss of traction. Active ZF dampers help keep the car level under hard braking or acceleration, which means more stability and control.

Engineered for Everyday Driving

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All the engineering and features that make drifting more difficult for “normal” drivers are also what make a Polestar safer in everyday driving.

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Don’t worry, there was no shortage of excitement: pro drifter Tommy Lemaire was there not just to teach, but also to thrill. He took guests out for hot laps on the cold ice in the specially prepared Polestar 4 Arctic Circle edition, a gold-and-white, rally-inspired version with a taller ride height, a more rugged suspension and other modifications more suited for ice racing. Careening around the track with the SUV’s rear end hanging out with opposite-lock oversteer, Lemaire put on full display the true performance limits of these Swedish EVs in real winter conditions — much to the delight of his passengers.

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It was more than just a day of fun behind the wheel. It was also a demonstration of the confidence Polestar has in the winter performance of its vehicles.

Winter-Guarded

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Beyond the track, Polestar ensures every aspect of its vehicles are up to the task of handling the toughest winters. When it comes to the battery, the automaker utilizes different technologies to safeguard the all-electric range from being adversely affected by low temperatures. When plugged in, the battery is preheated to get to the most efficient temperature range for driving. The cabin heater, heated seats, steering wheel and mirrors are also turned on to make the interior comfortable without draining the battery.

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An efficient heat pump uses less power by using run-off thermal energy from the electric motors, battery, and ambient air. And an advanced management system ensures that the drive battery stays at optimal temperatures, while equalizing the charge among each battery cell for even better range.

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Even its safety features are winter-guarded. The Polestar 4, for example, uses cameras, sensors and radar integrated into what the automaker calls a SmartZone, located at the front of the vehicle to detect obstacles and hazardous situations. The radar is heated to eliminate snow buildup, ensuring the electronic safety and driver assistance systems, such as Forward Collision Avoidance and Adaptive Cruise Control, work in all weather conditions.