Polestar is working closely with fellow Geely-owned brand Volvo when it comes to its upcoming Polestar 7, which will be built at a Volvo plant and will use Volvo technology.
The all-new small electric SUV will be launched in 2028 and produced at a new Volvo Cars factory in Kosice, Slovakia.
Volvo has also confirmed the new Polestar 7 will be followed by an as-yet unnamed next-generation model of its own, which will also be produced in the same plant.
While all Polestars sold in Australia are produced in China, the EV brand has been diversifying its manufacturing operations, with the Polestar 3 large SUV entering production in the US and the Polestar 4 mid-size SUV soon to be produced in Korea.
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Despite the name, the Polestar 7 will be the brand’s smallest model as Polestar persists with a naming system based on the order in which it launches its models – even though the Polestar 6 convertible’s launch has been pushed back to after the 7’s.
Confused? Basically, don’t expect a BMW 7 Series limousine rival, but rather a compact electric SUV and therefore likely a corporate cousin to models like the Volvo EX30, Smart #3 and Zeekr X from elsewhere within the Geely empire.
A single teaser image of the Polestar 7 released this week doesn’t reveal much, other than bold daytime running lights that fit in neatly with those employed by other Polestar products.
Polestar says the new SUV will “utilise a technology base from Volvo Cars, benefiting from group component sharing, cell-to-body technology with next-generation battery density and performance, as well as the next generation of in-house developed e-motors”.
That indicates a shared platform, rather than a Polestar-specific platform like that used by the Polestar 5 grand tourer due later this year, though the brand promises “adaptations will be made to create the driving experience and performance characteristics that Polestar is known for”.
Volvo has confirmed the Polestar 7 will share a “common technology base” with the upcoming Volvo EX60, which will be based on the new SPA3 platform, as well as an unspecified Volvo.
Existing Polestar vehicles already share their platforms with other Geely-owned brands.
Slovakia is becoming an increasingly popular production location, with Jaguar Land Rover also manufacturing its Land Rover Defender and Discovery there, and the Volkswagen Group manufacturing the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg there.
Kia and Stellantis also produce vehicles there for the European market.
Above: Polestar 3 production
Polestar notes the location of the Kosice factory “offers good logistical connections to European markets and a developed supplier base”, while Volvo has confirmed the plant – which is costing 1.2 billion euros (A$2.15bn) to develop – will be able to produce up to 250,000 cars per year.
But producing the vehicle in Europe also means it won’t be subject to tariffs imposed by the European Union on Chinese vehicle imports.
“Our strategy of utilising Group architectures as the base for our future model line-up gives us access to the best, latest technologies, in a cost-efficient manner,” said Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller.
“With a design and sporty driving characteristics that are instantly recognisable, Polestar 7 will set new standards in the premium compact SUV segment.”
The Polestar 7 will slot in towards the bottom of the Polestar lineup, alongside the Polestar 2 fastback that’s set to receive a second generation.
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