Polestar 5 tested against Porsche Taycan rivals

Polestar’s upcoming flagship electric car looks just as attractive as the concept from a few years ago

The launch of the Polestar 5 has been anything but smooth. Two and a half years after its prototype debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Volvo subsidiary, mainly owned by China’s Geely, is still testing its rival Porsche Taycan, most recently from Scandinavia. Spy photos give us a glimpse of its progress.

We’re not sure why Polestar went to the trouble of painting the car in camouflage now that the final design has been revealed. Still, there’s no denying that this will be the most stylish model in its lineup, while retaining plenty of Polestar design cues that make it easily identifiable.

Read: 2025 Polestar 5 launched, aiming for 872 horsepower to become new electric benchmark

The front fascia features a pair of split headlights with sharp daytime running lights that are eye-catching, as is the small black grille and black splitter. With no engine in front, the hood sits particularly low, which does wonders for the overall appearance of the electric car. The prototype can also be seen sporting a set of black wheels and massive carbon-ceramic brakes, hinting at its performance focus.

Other standout aspects of the 5’s design include door handles that sit flush with the body, and a massive panoramic glass roof that stops right where a traditional rear window would have been, like on a Polestar 4. It also features sharp LED taillights, light bar and tow bar.

Power and performance

A few years ago, Polestar said the Polestar 5 would feature a pair of electric motors delivering 872 horsepower and 664 pound-feet (900 Nm) of torque. However, we wouldn’t be surprised if these numbers change slightly once the model goes on sale, especially considering that Porsche and Audi have already increased the power output of facelifted RS e-tron GT and Taycan models.

Regardless of final horsepower and torque figures, the 5 will be the brand’s fastest model, as it should be able to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in about 3 seconds, if not a little faster.

Charging technology may be its other trump card. Polestar is trialling the StoreDot’s ultra-fast-charging battery, which promises 100 miles of range on a five-minute charge. It remains to be seen whether this cutting-edge technology will make its way into final products.

Baldolf