FlightService
FlightService MegaDork
3/13/18 10:26 a.m.
spitfirebill
spitfirebill MegaDork
3/13/18 10:31 a.m.

Sounds like a stripper's name. 

FlightService
FlightService MegaDork
3/13/18 10:33 a.m.

In reply to spitfirebill :

Much like in real life, I like the stripper associated with a stripper's name.

RevRico
RevRico GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
3/13/18 10:48 a.m.

What happened to that beautiful blue color they showed off with the prototype?

The polestar 1 I think it was called. 

I'm still intrigued, and still very not a targeted demographic though. 

Duke
Duke MegaDork
3/13/18 11:01 a.m.

Overall it's pretty nice looking... but:

The wheels are too big.  The windows are too small.

The0retical
The0retical UltraDork
3/13/18 11:11 a.m.

That's cool. Spec sheet seems pretty impressive on the surface, so it's probably going to be expensive. Reminds me of a Swedish BMW 1 series...

 

I second the call of "Where's the Swedish Racing Green?"

STM317
STM317 SuperDork
3/13/18 11:37 a.m.

Recipe for slow vehicle sales in 2018:

1. Small Euro brand

2. Coupe bodystyle

3. Hybrid

4. Expensive

 

It might be able to handle one or two of those criteria, and remain a decent seller but all of them in a single package seems like a bit of a perfect storm of niche markets. Maybe it will sell like hotcakes in China or the European markets.

irish44j
irish44j UltimaDork
3/13/18 5:45 p.m.

 

I'vealways loved how Volvos look, even the dowdy ones like the 240 wagons I grew up riding in, the Bertone 780, C30, and pretty much any other Volvo, but this one doesn't do anything for me with its unremarkably bland styling. Looks like a neutered Mustang GT for some reason. Literally the most forgettable coupe I've seen in years, at least cosmetically.

 

The performance side of things looks amazing though.

T.J.
T.J. MegaDork
3/13/18 6:03 p.m.

In reply to irish44j :

I also see a lot of Mustang in the design as well.

93EXCivic
93EXCivic MegaDork
3/14/18 6:58 a.m.

Just 500 Polestar 1's will be made available each year through a new online-only ordering process — and don't expect to buy one, either. Polestar's cars will only be available through two- and three- year subscriptions with insurance and maintenance included.

Does this seem stupid to anyone else? 

STM317
STM317 SuperDork
3/14/18 7:14 a.m.

In reply to 93EXCivic :

Limiting production, and making it a bit more "exclusive" will allow them to charge more for the product, while also allowing them to build up the hybrid/elecrtification aspects slowly, rather than having 400k preorders for a car that you make a couple thousand of each quarter.

As for the subscription business model, Subscription options provide more consistent revenue for businesses, and potentially higher profits. It's seen as a big part of "The Future" by several automakers for that reason. So from Volvo's perspective I can see why they'd want to try it. They're offering the service already on the XC40 small crossover, so it makes sense to offer it on other models too.

Cadillac is doing the same thing with their "Book" program. It's done well enough in NYC that they've expanded it to other large cities too. It seems like there are enough people willing to pay $1800/month (!) to have access to any Cadillac they want on call.  It basically means that Cadillac has to make fewer cars, but they're still seeing the same or better revenue, which should equal higher profits.

FlightService
FlightService MegaDork
3/14/18 1:05 p.m.

In reply to STM317 :

So on demand car share?

STM317
STM317 SuperDork
3/14/18 1:18 p.m.

In reply to FlightService :

For some, yes. For others, it may essentially turn into shorter term leasing, but you wouldn't be responsible for things like insurance. It has the potential to be more flexible for users, but that's probably going to come with a higher cost, because there are Wall St firms for car companies to satisfy.

oilstain
oilstain New Reader
3/14/18 1:59 p.m.

I think it looks pretty good. Yeah the wheels are too big and the windows are too small, but the grill looks good, it doesn't look like a huge gaping maw. It doesn't look like a mismatch pile of origami, and it doesn't look angry.

 

It's a car that looks a lot like a car!

93EXCivic
93EXCivic MegaDork
3/14/18 2:05 p.m.
STM317 said:

Recipe for slow vehicle sales in 2018:

1. Small Euro brand

2. Coupe bodystyle

3. Hybrid

4. Expensive

 

It might be able to handle one or two of those criteria, and remain a decent seller but all of them in a single package seems like a bit of a perfect storm of niche markets. Maybe it will sell like hotcakes in China or the European markets.

To be fair, they are only build 500 so it seems like they know it will be a slow seller. I think they are using to test the waters for a lot things.

pinchvalve
pinchvalve GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
3/14/18 2:50 p.m.

I sent them a deposit.  

 

They sent it back. 

 

Apparently, Volvo is too good for my $3.86!

fidelity101
fidelity101 UltraDork
3/14/18 3:17 p.m.

I'll take the current turbo 6 cyl wagon polestar thank you but this looks pretty snazzy, needs a shooting brake option to be like a P1800 throwback. Everyone wants post modern retro!!!

STM317
STM317 SuperDork
3/14/18 3:27 p.m.

In reply to 93EXCivic :

Yeah, I didn't realize that until you brought it up. I agree that it's likely to be a test bed for several things

stuart in mn
stuart in mn UltimaDork
3/14/18 5:10 p.m.
Duke said:

The wheels are too big.  The windows are too small.

That applies to just about every car made today, doesn't it?  :)

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