Latest news with #Polestar
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Coolest Feature of This Luxury American EV Is the One You'd Least Expect
Cadillac is offering its Optiq EV with a striking design element that's unique to each example. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more As part of the industry-wide push for electrification, automakers are increasingly making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint through the use of sustainable construction methods and eco-friendly materials. And it's not exclusive to EV upstarts like Tesla and Polestar — even legacy brands are looking to capitalize on the trendiness of going green. While leather was once considered the standard for luxury, recycled materials are now the norm for everyone from Bentley to Mercedes-Benz. Accordingly, Cadillac has wasted no time breaking into the high-end EV market. After introducing its first electrified offering in the form of the Lyriq last year, Cadillac has rapidly expanded its lineup with the Vistiq, the Escalade IQ and the expansive, ultra-luxe Celestiq. With the launch of the Optiq, Cadillac introduced an eye-catching new interior feature that's unlike anything else to have graced the lineup. But here's the kicker: it's old news. Hot off the press Quite literally. For the Optiq's center console, Cadillac offers a special PaperWood veneer that comprises equal parts tulip wood and recycled newspaper. Each material is repeatedly stacked in thin layers, and the resulting assembly is then milled into a laminate for application within the car. From afar, it may look like a simple monochromatic veneer, but it's actually rich with stories. If you look closely, you can even see the letters from the recycled newsprint peeking through in the lighter parts of the grain. According to Cadillac, it's a process that guarantees a one-off result. As Optiq designer Nina Cho says, 'What's really special and unique about this process is that the veneer is made up of different newspapers, so each trim piece is entirely unique to that vehicle.' Youthful luxury It's much more than a neat party trick; in keeping with its push for electrification, Cadillac is also looking to build a more youthful customer base. Over the past five years, the brand says that it has managed to increase its pool of younger buyers by five percent. While that figure doesn't sound like much on paper, it's important for an automaker that has — with little exception — catered to older drivers. Even with exciting V-Series models in the lineup, the average age of new customers purchasing a Cadillac in 2023 was 54, down from 59.5 some nine years prior. By positioning the Optiq as the entry-level model of the lineup, Cadillac hopes that the EV will continue to attract younger buyers. Between the model's all-electric drivetrain and sustainable features, such as accent fabric woven from 100% recycled yarn, it's meant to provide a modern, progressive experience. Pricing and availability When the Optiq enters production this fall, Cadillac will offer the EV in two trim levels: Luxury and Sport. In each case, power will come from a dual-motor all-wheel drivetrain rated for 300 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac claims a range of 302 miles, and fast-charging can replenish up to 79 miles of range in 10 minutes. Pricing for the Optiq starts at $53,495 for the Sport 1 and $52,895 for the Luxury 1. Should you find yourself interested in a heads-up display, heated rear outboard seats and other creature comforts, the higher-end Sport 2 and Luxury 2 models are available for just a few grand more. 2025 Cadillac Optiq Starts at $52,895
Auto Express
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price
Distinctive design 385-mile range; high levels of kit Just £346.96 a month The Polestar 4 is doing a fantastic job of raising the profile of an already well known and charismatic Swedish electric car brand. It's a seriously desirable electric coupé-SUV that has a lot more going for it than just being 'a car with no rear window'. Advertisement - Article continues below One of those is value for money. While Polestar is undoubtedly a premium brand, there are still deals to be had with the 4, such as this one, which sees you taking the keys for less than £350 a month. Via the Auto Express Find a Car service, Carparison is offering the sleek Swede for £346.96 a month after a modest £4,462.32 initial payment. It's a two-year deal with a very reasonable 6,000-miles-a-year cap. But, should you need more, you'll only need to find an extra £15.13 a month to bump this up to 8,000 miles per annum. This deal is for the entry-level version, but in actual fact, it's the variant that'll appeal to most people, thanks to its long list of standard kit, and more importantly, high driving range. The Long Range Single Motor model packs a chunky 100kWh (94kWh useable) battery under its curvy body, giving a claimed range of up to 385 miles. A 200kW maximum DC charging speed means this large pack can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Meanwhile, the rear-mounted motor gives 268bhp and 343Nm of torque, allowing for a 0-62mph dash in 7.1 seconds. It's sufficiently fast for everyday driving, plus thanks to its smaller 20-inch wheels – compared with the rest of the range – it's the best riding 4 of the lot. The entry-level car has a whole wealth of standard equipment. Features such as an eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat and a six-way passenger seat, ambient lighting, a heat pump, wireless phone charging, along with a Google-based infotainment system are all included. Polestar UK also throws in free metallic paint (silver) and the Plus Pack, which adds a posh Harman Kardon Premium Sound audio system, pixel LED headlights with adaptive high beam, and 22kW charging. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Polestar 4 leasing offers from leading providers on our Polestar 4 page. Check out the Polestar 4 deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here… Find a car with the experts Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Korean brand acts swiftly to cut prices on all its electric cars, amid confusion over Government's grant scheme Congestion Charge EV exemption removal to generate over £75million per year Congestion Charge EV exemption removal to generate over £75million per year TfL is planning to raise the Congestion Charge to £18, and EV drivers will have to pay too Dacia's baby EV due in 12 months with a tiny £15k price tag Dacia's baby EV due in 12 months with a tiny £15k price tag Dacia's new model will be developed in double-quick time, and it'll be built in Europe to avoid China tariffs
The Australian
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Australian
Polestar Australia boss calls for overhaul of ute tax incentives
The boss of one of Australia's greenest car companies has called for an end to tax breaks for utes that have become the nation's best-selling cars. Scott Maynard, managing director of Polestar in Australia, says lucrative tax concessions for high-riding utes have gone too far, resulting in taxpayers subsidising cars that are harmful to the environment. MORE: Luxury van delivers – at a cost Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton and Ford Ranger utes are the subject of lucrative tax incentives. Picture: Mark Bean Large four-wheel-drive utes can be exempt from luxury car tax and fringe benefits tax that apply to other vehicles. Maynard says the fringe benefits tax concession 'continues to disproportionately serve the sale of dual cab utes and not what I would consider to be a far more progressive style of transportation, which is electric vehicles'. 'Consider that three of the top five selling cars in Australia for the entire first half [of the year] were dual cab utes and their variants,' he said. 'We've now got more than one and a half times the dual cab ute to tradie ratio, which doesn't make sense. Polestar Australia's Scott Maynard says the focus of the tax break system for cars is misguided. 'If you consider some of the positioning of some of those particular vehicles, which are clearly no longer tools of trade, I don't think it's a difficult jump to make to put that on the fact that they've enjoyed tax let off since 2000. 'Wouldn't it be great to see benefits like that afforded to vehicles that are now cheaper to own um easier to live with and better for the environment?' Rod Campbell, research director at The Australia Institute, made headlines in 2024 when pointing out the 'considerable costs on society' of subsidising large utes such as the RAM 1500 and Ford F-150. MORE: Jet pilot tech to change Aussie cars Huge utes like these ones are being subsidised by the government instead of a proper focus on clean technology, Maynard says. Picture: Supplied 'The Australian public is subsidising big, dumb utes by hundreds of millions of dollars each year,' he said. 'These vehicles are damaging roads, reducing safety and increasing emissions, yet they are given a massive tax break. 'Removing the luxury car tax exemption will not affect most ute drivers, particularly tradies. 'Instead it targets those buying large luxury vehicles, worth sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars, for personal use. 'Economics 101 says that governments should tax things they want less of, and subsidise things they want more of, and it is stunning that the Australian Government seems to want more big, dumb utes.' Maynard's views differ from peers at the top of the car industry. Polestar has effectively split from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, a collective that lobbies on behalf of member companies such as Toyota, Ford and Mitsubishi – brands that rely heavily on the sales of utes such as the HiLux, Ranger and Triton. But Polestar doesn't have a ute. MORE: Polestar 4 a window into the future Polestar specialises in electric vehicles only. Picture: Supplied It doesn't have any cars that require petrol or diesel fuel – every Polestar sold in Australia is a pure electric vehicle. Maynard said the brand's all-in stance on electric vehicles 'does open a window for us' as rival brands water down their commitment to EVs. The brand has recorded an uptick in interest from customers who were considering plug-in electric vehicles before a tax break expired on April 1, pushing them toward EVs. 'Anecdotally, I feel like I'm talking to more and more customers that say now that's done,' he said. 'At a function last night, I spoke to three people at a table that said, 'you know, we were squaring up for a PHEV [but] we will probably just go full electric now'. 'And I know that there was a lot of people that were trying to get their PHEV deals secured before that FBT incentive [expired].'
Canberra Times
25-07-2025
- Automotive
- Canberra Times
Chery wants to Australianise its cars to make them appeal to Americans
The US market is uncharted territory for Chinese brands. Efforts to stop Chinese cars from infiltrating its market have led the US Government to impose substantial tariffs on vehicles from the country, which means there are currently no Chinese brands operating in the US, though there are Chinese-owned ones such as Volvo, Polestar and Lotus.
Auto Blog
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
NHTSA Opens Probe Into Nearly 28,000 Polestar 2s
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. View post: Walmart is selling a 'powerful' $199 lawn mower for $100, and shoppers say it's 'easy to operate' Polestar 2 owners face another recall for a recurring issue The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency within the Department of Transportation responsible for automotive safety, announced on July 11 that it had opened a formal investigation into the Polestar 2 after complaints continue to pile up as the electric vehicle's rear-view camera continues to malfunction, even after multiple software fixes issued by the manufacturer. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:09 Full screen Tesla sales in Europe drop yet again Watch More The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), the division that handles recalls at the NHTSA, is investigating whether Polestar's remedies are adequate following two previous recalls that tried to fix the problem. The agency says it has received 109 consumer complaints involving 2021 through 2025 model year Polestar 2 vehicles, which allege that the rear-view camera image may be delayed, distorted, or not even show a picture at all when it is supposed to be crystal clear while backing up, which can significantly reduce visibility and potentially increase the risk of a crash. 2025 Polestar 2 — Source: Polestar So far, no crashes, injuries, or fatalities have been linked to this specific issue, which affects an estimated 27,816 Polestar 2 vehicles. However, under federal safety standards, specifically the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111 (FMVSS 111) regarding rear visibility, all vehicles sold in the United States are required to provide a functioning rear-view camera that displays a clear image when said cars are shifted into reverse. Any failure to meet that standard can trigger regulatory action. The Volvo-linked Swedish EV brand backed by Geely first issued recall 24V-477 on June 26, 2024, which affected certain 2021–2024 Polestar 2 models. At the time, Polestar stated that the issue stemmed from graphical rendering limitations in the Infotainment Head Unit (IHU), which could prevent the rear-view camera feed from displaying correctly. 'Polestar proposed to remedy this condition via a software update to minimize an Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) graphical rendering limitation by shortening the retry times of the camera streams, as well as removing the rendering of the map in the driver display during backing events to release the graphic memory for the use of the rear-view camera,' ODI wrote in its report. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Polestar 2 — Source: Polestar However, that remedy didn't entirely fix the problem, as owners continued to report failures, even in vehicles that received the fix. This revelation triggered a second recall, specifically recall 25V-280 in April 2025, which expanded the scope of the problem and tried to fix it with a more drastic solution through an over-the-air software update. 'Polestar's stated remedy for this recall provided an additional software update intended to always maintain the high-speed signal connection between the Parking Assist Camera (PAC) and IHU, instead of toggling on and off by request. The update would also be designed to add a reset of the IHU video signal receiving hardware in case a synchronization error is detected, instead of just setting an error message.' Despite two different software bumps, complaints over the same issue started rolling in again. ODI says that on June 21, 2025, it began receiving reports from Polestar 2 owners who said their rear-view cameras were still not working properly, even after the latest update. By July, Polestar confirmed to ODI that its most recent over-the-air fix did not resolve the issue, which prompted the agency to launch a Recall Query to determine whether additional action is required. Final thoughts The sophisticated tech that goes into software-defined vehicles is cool and all, but what this situation highlights is that in this new era, there could be a gap between diagnosing and resolving hardware-software interactions that may not be easily corrected through traditional over-the-air updates. While OTA updates are faster and more convenient than dealer-based repairs, they may not always actually fulfill the reason why a recall is issued: to fix things. However, this is not the first time an automaker has had to readdress a previously 'fixed' problem, and the latest situation involving 1.2 million Ram trucks is proof that even analog, go-to-the-dealer type recalls cannot fix everything. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile
