Reasons the Polestar 5 is 1,000 Pounds Heavier than a Porsche Taycan

      Polestar

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      You may have already seen the Polestar 5 and thought, “Wow, that looks impressive.” It’s arguably the most aesthetically pleasing of all the Polestar models, and it boasts an impressive 884 horsepower. The manufacturer claims that the 5 was designed to rival Porsche, and its performance stats align it with the Panamera and the Taycan. On paper, it seems like a formidable competitor; however, the Polestar 5's hefty weight of nearly 5,600 pounds is hard to overlook.

      For comparison, the lightest rear-wheel-drive Taycan weighs 4,630 pounds, while even the heaviest variant, the Turbo Cross Turismo wagon, is lighter at 5,196 pounds. There are a few factors contributing to this. Not only is the Polestar exclusively all-wheel drive, but it also features a larger battery and has a GT car philosophy compared to Porsche’s more sport-focused design.

      The 1,092-hp Taycan Turbo GT is not just a comfortable ride. Porsche

      The Polestar 5 is equipped with a 112-kilowatt-hour battery pack, which should allow it to achieve 351 miles of range according to Europe’s WLTP testing cycle. The Taycan, on the other hand, utilizes a smaller 105-kilowatt-hour pack. While Polestar has not confirmed the weight of the 5’s battery, it’s expected to exceed that of the Porsche’s, which weighs 1,389 pounds by itself. Typically, each kilowatt-hour of battery capacity adds between 13 to 17 pounds, meaning that a 7 kWh difference could result in the Polestar weighing an additional 91 to 119 pounds.

      Moreover, the overall design of the 5 contributes to its weight. It measures 200.3 inches from front to back, compared to the Taycan's 195.4 inches. The Polestar Performance Architecture that supports it predominantly uses bonded and riveted aluminum, which is promising for lightweight strength. However, the Polestar may have required more material to achieve the necessary structural rigidity. In contrast, the Taycan’s acclaimed J1.2 platform incorporates aluminum along with steel for the B pillars and roof to enhance strength without adding excessive weight.

      Lastly, it's essential to recognize that the Polestar 5 is positioned as a grand tourer, while the Taycan is engineered for a more intense performance experience. This means that Polestar is aiming to compete more directly with the Porsche Panamera, which can weigh up to 5,302 pounds in Turbo E-Hybrid form with its electrified V8. Like the Panamera, the Polestar 5 emphasizes spaciousness, sound quality, and comfort technology. It's difficult to quantify these attributes, but they likely contribute to the overall curb weight.

      The outcome is not likely a surprise. If you seek a high-performance vehicle that drives like a Porsche, purchasing a Porsche is your best option. However, if you prefer a luxury GT car, there’s also a Porsche for that, or you might choose to stand out with the stylish, non-Volvo option.

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