JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We sample the new Polestar 4 and reveal prices for the new Nissan Micra model

Daily Record

2 days ago

The car is manufactured in China and Polestar has put absolutely everything onto the touchscreen apart from a volume control for the sound system.
In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John samples the new Polestar 4, an all-electric coupe style SUV, and reveals the prices for the new Nissan Micra model, with order books opening next month.
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The Polestar 4 is a smart-looking SUV with coupe styling that gets lots of attention - mainly because it has no rear window.
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It may offer an excellent range between charges and stacks of equipment and technology, as well as impressive performance and lots of space but most people focused on the lack of a rear window.
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The Swedish/Chinese manufacturer has replaced the rear window with a live camera which feeds onto a digital mirror and although it works perfectly, I found it difficult to get used to.
The car is manufactured in China and Polestar has put absolutely everything onto the touchscreen apart from a volume control for the sound system and some drivers will love that while others may struggle with it.
Customers can choose between single or dual motor models, offering rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, respectively.
Both versions feature a Long range 100kWh battery, with the Dual motor I sampled providing significantly more power.
It cost £67,000 in standard form but with metallic paint at £1400 and Animal Welfare Nappa leather at £3100, the final total was £71,500.
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The test car came with 22" alloy wheels and a Pilot Pack as standard, which introduces semi-autonomous driving features like lane keeping and automatic parking.
Also Included in the cost was the Plus Pack, featuring a super 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a 14.7-inch head-up display, upgraded pixel LED headlights with adaptive high beam, and a powered soft-closing tailgate with foot sensor operation.
The Polestar 4 is a handsome car and the panoramic glass roof tapers away towards the rear, while there are dual blade headlights, an illuminated Polestar logo and flush door handles, giving it a sporty look.
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The cabin is elegant and clutter-free, with minimal physical controls. Instead, the 15.4-inch infotainment screen serves as the central hub for nearly all functions, from adjusting the steering wheel and regenerative braking settings to switching drive modes and even opening the glovebox.
This screen also controls the sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, the sound system, reversing camera, Bluetooth and Google Assistant.
The comfortable seats are powered and heated as is the steering wheel and the outer rear seats.
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All the driving data like speed, range, and battery levels are displayed on a clear driver information screen behind the steering wheel and there is also a head-up display.
When it comes to performance, the Polestar 4 is quick. It boasts 544 bhp and can sprint to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 124mph.
The single motor version is still nippy and tackles the sprint in 7.1 seconds and has the same top speed.
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This model can go 367 miles between charges depending on conditions and it performed well on both country roads and motorway runs.
With AWD it provided stacks of grip and you can opt for single-pedal driving.
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Five adults can travel in comfort, with lots of leg, shoulder and headroom even in the rear and the huge glass roof means there is lots of light.
The boot, accessed via a powered tailgate, provides 526 litres of storage, extending to 1536 litres with the rear seats down.
There's also a covered storage compartment under the bonnet for an additional 15 litres. A wireless charging pad is another bonus.
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Charging the 100kWh battery from 10-80 per cent takes just 30 minutes via a 200kW fast charger.
A 11kW home charger takes about 11 hours for a full charge and 17.5 hours from a normal domestic socket.
As you would expect from a car of this quality it has all the latest driver assist and safety features to protect occupants and other road users.
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There is no doubt that the Polestar 4 is a quality product that is crammed with technology but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I did not have to use the screen to adjust everything.
It was not always easy on the move and a few buttons for climate and entertainment functions would make it more pleasant from my point of view.
Meanwhile, Nissan has confirmed pricing for the sixth-generation Micra - and it will cost from £22,995 for the all-electric supermini.
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That is similar to its new Renault 5 sister with which it shares much.
Pricing will start from £22,995 for the 40kWh Engage model.
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Mid-grade Advanced trim models will cost from £24,995 and top specification Evolve versions with a larger 52kWh battery will be available from £29,865.
As such, the all new Micras should qualify for the Government's new Electric Car Grant which is worth up to £1500.
The official range now reaches 260 miles for the 52kWh battery and 198 miles for the 40kWh battery, a respective gain of around seven miles of range compared to the initial announcement.
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Quick charging from 15 per cent to 80 per cent takes 30 minutes.
To maximise the charging efficiency, a heat pump is standard on both battery options, as well as battery heating and cooling capability.
The new Micra integrates Google Built-in services via the NissanConnect infotainment system, with Google Maps supplied as standard.
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The latter also plays a key role in route planning. If the destination exceeds the available range, the system automatically identifies charging stations along the route, considering the charge level, average consumption, and temperature.
It can even precondition the battery to ensure optimal charging speed.
James Taylor, managing director of Nissan GB said: "Micra is the first of four new fully electric models to arrive on the Nissan lineup and we are incredibly excited to be pricing it so competitively. Micra is a key strategic model for Nissan."
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The new Micra pays homage to previous generations of the iconic model - a compact city car that has sold more than six million units worldwide since its launch in 1983.
Nissan says order banks will open at the beginning of next month.