by Polestar 6: Electric roadster almost ready, but not a priority
Polestar has revealed new details about its stylish all-electric roadster 6, which was unveiled back in 2022 but has yet to hit the market. Following recent reports that the car’s launch has been delayed until at least 2029, the electric vehicle manufacturer shared how far the model’s development has progressed.
Shared platform with the Polestar 5
Like the Polestar 5, the model 6 is based on the Polestar Performance Architecture (PPA). This shared platform has significantly simplified the car’s development compared to building it from scratch. According to the company’s Head of Product Communications, Graeme Lambert, the key hardware is already ready.
“It’s very closely related to the Polestar 5,” he said. “The platform on which the Polestar 5 architecture is based is essentially scalable… if you look at the 6 as a two-door Polestar 5, the component base already exists.”
Edmunds asked Lambert whether the car could be considered 95 percent ready. He did not dispute this figure but added that he “wouldn’t dare say it’s 100 percent ready.” It is known that among the elements requiring refinement are the folding hardtop and the rear seats.
Will it arrive in the US?
Under the floor is the same 112 kWh battery pack as in the Polestar 5, and it also uses the same electric motors and suspension components. Polestar began taking $25,000 deposits for a special LA Concept version in 2022, initially planning to launch the car in 2026.
However, current financial issues have pushed this model to the back burner. Polestar is now focusing on the second generation of the model 2 and the upcoming compact crossover, the Polestar 7. “The key for us is to get [7 and 2] right, grow the business, and then be able to do something else,” Lambert noted.
Even if the Polestar 6 gets the green light for production, there is no guarantee it will be sold in the United States. Currently, Polestar produces the 5 sedan in China, and the related roadster 6 will likely be built there as well. This could lead to a 100 percent tariff, which could severely undermine demand for the model, as happened with the Chinese crossover Lotus Eletre.
Thus, while the technical foundation of the Polestar 6 is practically ready, the commercial launch of the model remains in question due to the company’s financial priorities and potential trade barriers. By focusing on higher-volume models, Polestar is postponing the release of its flagship roadster, which could pose a serious challenge for the brand in the premium electric vehicle segment, especially amid delays from competitors like the Tesla Roadster. The decision on production and export to the US will depend on economic feasibility under high tariffs, making the future of this car in the American market uncertain.
