Skip advert
Advertisement

Polestar doubles UK research and development team at MIRA facility

Polestar cements its UK development operations with a 250-strong team at its MIRA testing facility, where engineers will help bring the Precept concept to production

Polestar Precept construction

Polestar has strengthened its engineering operations in the UK by expanding its British research and development team, with new facilities at its MIRA testing base in Warwickshire. 

During the past year, the Swedish brand has expanded its R&D team in the UK to 250 members - a two-fold increase - and promises further growth in the coming years. The team will play a crucial role in the development of the upcoming Polestar Precept, which is due to go into production before 2025.

The news signifies Polestar’s commitment to the UK market, as the brand looks to garner British talent to develop its future models. As such, its MIRA test and development facility is located within Motorsport Valley in the Midlands, an area known for its engineering capability. Polestar is looking to tap into this pool of expert technicians and automotive engineers. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Polestar is aiming to expand to a 500-strong R&D team in the future, which will have access to numerous key facilities at MIRA. These include advanced battery testing centres and specially designed test tracks, to hone the dynamics of upcoming Polestars. 

As a brand that majors on delivering a sporting EV driving experience, the investment in British R&D could bode well for the ride and handling of future Polestar models for UK customers, with cars optimised for British roads. 

Speaking on the announcement, Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said: “The combination of British engineering talent and Swedish expertise will ensure our cars are among the highest performing and most sustainable on the road.”

The growing team will start work on the forthcoming Polestar Precept, a radical four-door coupe previewed by a concept car in February last year. 

“Precept is a statement of intent for the brand in terms of design, technology and sustainability”, said Pete Alle, who leads the project as head of Polestar UK R&D. “The production car will take an important step on the journey towards climate neutrality, and ours will be the team that delivers that.”

The UK R&D expansion is part of Polestar’s wider ambition to cement itself as a global EV manufacturer. The maker recently announced that its upcoming SUV, the Polestar 3, will be built in the US, with the brand plotting to expand its reach to 30 global markets by the end of 2022.

Click here for our list of the best electric cars currently on sale in the UK...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
23 Jul 2024
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 - MG sculpture
News

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights

2024’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was a celebration of over 130 years of engine tech, but it also looked well into the future
17 Jul 2024
Polestar Concept BST gives Goodwood a peek at brand’s performance future
Polestar Concept BST at Goodwood - front
News

Polestar Concept BST gives Goodwood a peek at brand’s performance future

Polestar has unveiled a tweaked performance version of the Polestar 6 roadster at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024
11 Jul 2024
New electric cars coming soon: the fresh EVs of 2024 and beyond
Future electric cars - header image
Best cars & vans

New electric cars coming soon: the fresh EVs of 2024 and beyond

The EV explosion has brought a huge range of choice to the market already but it’s only going to get bigger in the coming months
4 Jul 2024

Most Popular

New Tesla Model 2: CEO Elon Musk reaffirms affordable, entry-level electric car will arrive in 2025
Tesla 'Model 2' teaser image
News

New Tesla Model 2: CEO Elon Musk reaffirms affordable, entry-level electric car will arrive in 2025

The baby Tesla, also referred to as as project ‘Redwood’, is scheduled to enter production in the first half of 2025
24 Jul 2024
Car Deal of the Day: brand-new VW ID.7 EV with 381-mile range for less than you’d expect
Volkswagen ID.7 - front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: brand-new VW ID.7 EV with 381-mile range for less than you’d expect

If you want an electric car that can go the distance, then maybe you should consider our Deal of the Day for 23 July
23 Jul 2024
'Luxury car' tax grab to hit 70% of EVs, fuelling calls for exemption
Luxury car tax
News

'Luxury car' tax grab to hit 70% of EVs, fuelling calls for exemption

New Labour Government urged by UK motor industry to address concerns of potential EV purchasers and boost uptake of electric vehicles among private bu…
25 Jul 2024