Polestar 2 performance upgrade. Would you pay for a performance software upgrade

[Mach1E]

I would be pissed off if performance was available, but being ransomed.

The 5-second limitation is what it is because of HARDWARE and thermal issues. I would not want the the software cap lifted unless the hardware was improved to support higher output without damaging warranty and battery life

Uhh……

What’s the difference between the GT and the GTPE with 34 more lb/ft of torque? Software.

And did you know they both should actually have 562 hp instead of 480?

It’s software limited as well.

As others have mentioned, many manufacturers do this…… because they can. Sure, the software is just flipping a switch, but developing it costs money and it’s worth money to the consumer.

It’s not being “ransomed” it’s being sold.

And I for one would absolutely buy it if they unlocked our full 562 hp!

And it’s still just “theory” that the 5 sec limit can’t be raised. I would believe the theory if only GTs had HVJB failures.

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[voxel]

I rented a Polestar 2 - fully loaded with every option including Performance pack - for two days in Austin.

Ummm... it's slow compared to the GTPE. It's basically a Premium AWD ER. I'd be very disappointed in dropping $68K (no tax credit) for such an EV and would demand a software upgrade ASAP.

Also.. don't rent an non-Tesla EV in Austin - there's no place to DC charge. I won't be complaining about the lack of chargers in Florida because wow... Texans must hate EVs.

 

[TKG]

I rented a Polestar 2 - fully loaded with every option including Performance pack - for two days in Austin.

Ummm... it's slow compared to the GTPE. It's basically a Premium AWD ER. I'd be very disappointed in dropping $68K (no tax credit) for such an EV and would demand a software upgrade ASAP.

Also.. don't rent an non-Tesla EV in Austin - there's no place to DC charge. I won't be complaining about the lack of chargers in Florida because wow... Texans must hate EVs.

A 2023 Mach-E premium AWD is $67K so that makes sense..

 

[Mach1E]

I rented a Polestar 2 - fully loaded with every option including Performance pack - for two days in Austin.

Ummm... it's slow compared to the GTPE. It's basically a Premium AWD ER. I'd be very disappointed in dropping $68K (no tax credit) for such an EV and would demand a software upgrade ASAP.

Also.. don't rent an non-Tesla EV in Austin - there's no place to DC charge. I won't be complaining about the lack of chargers in Florida because wow... Texans must hate EVs.

It’s not slow, but doesn’t surprise me it “feels slow” in comparison.

We have 130 more tq which gives you the brutal head snapping acceleration at 30 mph.

They don’t lose power past 70 mph and will be significantly faster at that speed and higher, but you won’t “feel” that power as much as at 30 mph.

12.2 at 116 mph is no joke though: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a42283280/2023-polestar-2-performance-package-by-the-numbers/

 

[Pushrods&Capacitors]

I rented a Polestar 2 - fully loaded with every option including Performance pack - for two days in Austin.

Ummm... it's slow compared to the GTPE. It's basically a Premium AWD ER. I'd be very disappointed in dropping $68K (no tax credit) for such an EV and would demand a software upgrade ASAP.

Also.. don't rent an non-Tesla EV in Austin - there's no place to DC charge. I won't be complaining about the lack of chargers in Florida because wow... Texans must hate EVs.

Well, we have a big 10 stall EA station outside of Austin in Round Rock, but yeah, charging deserts here fo sho.

 

[voxel]

It’s not slow, but doesn’t surprise me it “feels slow” in comparison.

We have 130 more tq which gives you the brutal head snapping acceleration at 30 mph.

They don’t lose power past 70 mph and will be significantly faster at that speed and higher, but you won’t “feel” that power as much as at 30 mph.

12.2 at 116 mph is no joke though: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a42283280/2023-polestar-2-performance-package-by-the-numbers/

I’m a sucker for punishment and rented the P2 for another few days. Definitely power/torque above 35-40mph but weak on the low end compared to the GTPE and i4 M50.

 

[Jimrpa]

I would be willing to consider paying for an upgrade from Ford/Ford Performance, the same way you can buy different shocks or suspension components. There’s no way in heck that I’m going to rent a performance upgrade (and stop calling it a “subscription” - they’re renting it to me ?)

 

[voxel]

Well, we have a big 10 stall EA station outside of Austin in Round Rock, but yeah, charging deserts here fo sho.

I’m renting the P2 again because I don’t want an ICE car. Lol.

That station is 25 miles away as I’m staying on the south side. Most DC chargers around me are at car dealerships. Booo. Still workable with the chargers at malls and downtown parking lots… East and west of here? It gets sketchy.

 

[Pushrods&Capacitors]

I’m renting the P2 again because I don’t want an ICE car. Lol.

That station is 25 miles away as I’m staying on the south side. Most DC chargers around me are at car dealerships. Booo. Still workable with the chargers at malls and downtown parking lots… East and west of here? It gets sketchy.

Yep, South Austin is a bit away especially in shit I35 downtown traffic. Don’t blame you. Doesn’t Hertz rent Fisher Price Model 3s at Austin Bergstrom? Lots of superchargers around here.

 

[voxel]

Yep, South Austin is a bit away especially in shit I35 downtown traffic. Don’t blame you. Doesn’t Hertz rent Fisher Price Model 3s at Austin Bergstrom? Lots of superchargers around here.

Because nobody wants to rent the Polestar 2 I’m getting it $38/day. The car rental agency seemed happy I was taking it away lol.

Even with corporate rate, I can’t get a 3 or Y for lower than 2.5x from Hertz. I saw a Mach-E, EV6, and e-Golf at ChargePoint L2 chargers at a Target (where there were 10+ empty superchargers) so there are EVs around. I saw an Ioniq 5 at my nephew’s school too.

As for software upgrades for performance I think it is lawyers and accountants who want it. Tesla offers $2K acceleration boost that only improve acceleration on the low end. My guess is it is a fee to cover a slightly higher battery failure rate. Ford could offer it on the GTPE if they wanted.

 

[voxel]

Now that I’ve had the car over a week… I noticed (and confirmed via forums) that Polestar restricts performance below a certain SoC. WTF? I noticed after charging past 80% this car ripppppps. Definitely faster than an AWD ER but slower than a GT. Below 50% SoC the acceleration is anemic. You are basically paying Polestar to remove these restrictions in the software Performance Upgrade.

The handling is like the GTPE…. not experienced any torque steer or backsliding. It’s planted all the time and do I dare say better than my i4. However the suspension is awful for daily use. I rode as passenger to let my brother drive and could not even keep my drink steady.

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