Volvo has announced the Polestar 2: a fully electric car equipped with Android. The four-wheeler has the Google Assistant and can download apps himself.
Volvo Polestar 2: the first electric Android car
The first car with ‘Google Automotive Services’, as the operating system is officially called, was announced at a press conference of the Swedish manufacturer. The four-wheeler is 100 percent electric and all entertainment, car options and navigation can be controlled via the familiar Android operating system. The central hub is the 11-inch tablet on the dashboard. The car also listens to commands and questions thanks to the Google Assistant.
You do not need to connect a smartphone with Android Auto: the car itself can download apps from the Play Store and even update them. By default, you can get started with some Google apps, including Maps. The navigation service is controlled through the Google Assistant. If you say to your car “navigate home”, the tablet automatically shows a route.
It is also possible to change your radio station with your voice and, for example, to turn the heating up or down. Furthermore, the tablet shows relevant statistics, such as the number of kilometers traveled, how full the battery is and the remaining range. You can try the customized Android interface of the Polestar 2 yourself via this website. You get the best experience when you test on an Android smartphone with a large screen (at least 6 inches) or on a tablet.
Competitor for the Tesla Model 3
The Polestar 2 is 100 percent electric and thus a direct competitor for the Model 3 of Tesla. The radius of action of the Polestar 2 is about 500 kilometers. According to Volvo, owners in Europe can always be at a charging point in the foreseeable future, because the coverage is now pretty good.
First comes a luxury version of the Volvo Polestar 2, which will cost 59.900 euros. Then the ‘normal’ variant appears, which is 39,900 euros from you. The Tesla Model 3, an electric sedan, is currently available from 60,000 euros.
The first copies will roll off in May 2020 and the pre-order has already started. You can order via the official website of Polestar, where you have to pay 1,000 euros. Volvo ended the press conference off by already Polestar 3 tease a larger SUV to be announced officially.