2023 Polestar 2 BST edition 270
A new high-performance version, the 2023 Polestar 2 BST edition 270 takes inspiration from an experimental Polestar 2 known as The Beast, which the Swedish EV maker showcased at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed. A direct result of the enthusiasm of Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath, this special version of the Polestar 2 was designed to push the envelope of electric vehicle performance. Following the enthusiastic response to The Beast at Goodwood, Polestar decided to make a limited-edition production version resulting in the 2023 Polestar 2 BST edition 270.

The Beast
The letters BST in the name of the new special edition refers to The Beast, while edition 270 speaks to the vehicle’s exclusivity — only 270 examples of the 2023 Polestar 2 BST edition 270 will be produced. The BST edition is based on the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor and includes the optional Plus, Pilot and Performance Packs. The Performance Pack adds a performance software upgrade, Brembo brakes, Ohlins Dual Flow Valve manually adjustable dampers, gold brake calipers, gold valve caps and gold seat belts.

Beastly Upgrades
In addition to the Performance Pack upgrades, the BST edition 270 adds 21-inch forged wheels in either gloss black or matte black, 21-inch Pirelli tires developed specifically for the BST edition 270, a 1-inch-lower ride height, a front strut bar, painted side sills and cladding, as well as gloss black mirrors. The staggered wheels are 8.5 inches wide at the front and 9 inches wide at the rear, yet all wheels get fitted with the same size 245/35R21 Pirelli P Zero tires. According to Polestar, the staggered wheels with the same size tires provides the best steering response and helps reduce understeer.

Suspension Upgrades
The Ohlins dampers are further developed for the BST edition 270, with the proprietary Dual Flow Valve technology controlling damping at both low and high speeds through separate circuits for compression and rebound. Each damper has a range of 22 settings from firm to soft that can be adjusted by Polestar service or by the owner. Front compression adjustment knobs are located on remote reservoirs in the vehicle’s front storage compartment, and the rebound adjustment knobs are positioned at the bottom of the front dampers. The rear compression adjustment knobs are at the top of the dampers accessible above the rear fender liners, and the rebound adjustment knobs sit at the bottom of the dampers.

Spring Rates
In addition to the damper development, spring rates are increased for the Polestar 2 BST edition 270. The increased rates provide improved turn-in, reduced body roll, increased peak cornering grip, and reduced pitch and dive while accelerating and braking. The front spring rates were increased by 80 percent and the rear by 40 percent. Spring preload on the coil-over dampers can be manually adjusted at all four corners.

Most Powerful Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 Dual Motor is rated at 408 hp and 487 lb-ft; the Performance Pack boosts total output to 476 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. With a separate motor for each axle, the Polestar 2 Dual Motor delivers power to all four wheels for improved balance and all-weather capability. According to Polestar, this special edition will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.

Battery and Charging
Electricity is stored in a 400-volt 78 kWh lithium-ion battery for a range of 247 miles. The onboard charger will charge at up to 115 kW, and charging capacity with a DC fast charger is up to 155 kW. The DC charging time from 10 to 80 percent charge is 35 minutes.

Plus Pack
Standard on Polestar 2 BST edition 270, the Plus Pack includes a premium interior, Charcoal WeaveTech vegan upholstery, Black Ash trim, a panoramic glass roof with reflected Polestar symbol, a 600-watt Harmon Kardon audio system with 13 speakers, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. The Plus Pack also includes a new heat pump that captures residual thermal energy from the drivetrain and uses it to warm the cabin, reducing the need to rely on the batteries for climate control. Polestar estimates this could reduce the draw on the battery by as much as 50 percent in colder climates, which could provide up to a 10 percent increase in overall driving range.

Pilot Pack
Also standard on Polestar 2 BST edition 270 is the Pilot Pack, which includes adaptive cruise control, emergency stop assist and pilot assist with acceleration, braking and steering support up to 80 mph. The Pilot Pack also adds Pixel LED headlights with active bending and active high beam, LED fog lights with cornering functionality, a 360-degree-view camera, a blind-spot information system with steering support, rear collision warning and rear cross-traffic alert with brake support.

Inner Space
Many elements of the Polestar2 are 100 percent vegan — made from a material called WeaveTech — including the seat trim, which is both stylish and soft. The steering wheel, which at first glance looks as if it’s trimmed in leather, is WeaveTech too. All interior wood accents are constructed using irregular pieces that are typically considered waste. The cloth trim on doors and dashboard give the Polestar 2 an overall sporty yet classy feeling. For those who want the option, ventilated Nappa leather upholstery is available from Bridge of Weir — a Scottish premium leather supplier — and features a broken chevron pattern unique to Polestar 2.

Google Integration
Polestar 2 is as much about technology as it is about electrification — it was the first model to use Google’s Android OS the platform for its infotainment system. In addition to bringing together apps and vehicle functions, the Polestar 2 features embedded Google services such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store. These functions are accessed via voice control (simply by saying “OK Google”) or via an 11-inch touchscreen display. Google users can log into the vehicle to sync personal preferences as well as Google Maps locations.

U.S. Pricing
The 2023 Polestar 2 BST edition 270 starts at $75,500. Unfortunately, because of the limited availability, registration has already closed. Exterior paint choices are Snow or Thunder with the option of a Battleship Gray satin wrap. Also offered is a matte black body stripe.

On the Road
Polestar invited us to the greater San Francisco area to test drive 2023 Polestar 2 BST edition 270 on what turned out to be a very rainy day. That said, it’s actually a great way to experience a high-performance all-wheel-drive EV sport sedan in less than ideal conditions. Our drive route took us southwest from San Francisco International Airport and connected to Skyline Boulevard, a well-known road through the hills, before we eventually made our way to Highway 1 (Cabrillo Highway) on the coast.

Sophisticated Suspension
The Ohlins Dual Flow Valve suspension is a sophisticated setup with a firm, controlled ride that also absorbs sharp impacts without being too harsh. The steering is responsive and the driver can select from Light/Standard/Firm steering settings; we prefer the Standard setting since it offers balanced feedback. The all-wheel drive and stability control systems work seamlessly to put the power down efficiently even in wet conditions, transferring power between the axles to maintain stability and control.

Well-Engineered
With 502 lb-ft of instantly available torque, the 2023 Polestar 2 BST edition 270 is powerful and fast. The vehicle possesses the overall sophistication of a well-engineered sport sedan that feels both balanced and responsive. The car is incredibly fun to drive and easy to drive quickly — even in conditions that are less than ideal — giving a driver the utmost control and confidence.

One Pedal Driving
The Polestar 2 BST edition 270 offers One Pedal Driving, with the vehicle braking when the driver releases the accelerator pedal. The system has three settings: Off/Low/Standard. We prefer the Low setting on faster, straighter highways with more gradual corners, so braking is not as aggressive when releasing the pedal. On roads with more frequent or sharper corners, we prefer the more aggressive braking of the Standard setting when letting off the pedal. Of course the driver can modulate the experience in either setting by not releasing the accelerator pedal completely; we appreciate having the choice to determine how the car responds to one-pedal driving.

Right for You?
Based on the Polestar 2 Dual Motor Performance Pack, the BST edition 270 fine tunes the suspension and overall performance ever further to create the best-performing Polestar EV. Although reservations for the limited-production BST edition 270 are already full, the Polestar 2 Dual Motor Performance Pack is still available and offers nearly the same level of performance. For buyers seeking a 5-door, 5-seat EV that drives like a high-performance sport sedan, the Polestar 2 Dual Motor Performance Pack is one of the top options.

Rating: 9.0
Pros: Powerful motors; fun to drive; balanced and responsive; good range.
Cons: Limited availability; reservations already closed.
Bottom Line: The top performance version of Polestar 2, the BST edition 270 takes the Dual Motor Performance Pack one step beyond.

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