POLESTAR 2

Sensing deja vu? Yes, the 2 is back on our fleet, but now a much different prospect

- MARK TISSHAW

Sometimes in this job, we go on drives in cars that we don't end up writing about because we've told you everything you need to know about it already.

I had one such drive late last year in a Polestar 2-a car then recently facelifted and a few weeks earlier subjected to a full Autocar road test. I had some time in it before a flight home following the inaugural Polestar Day in Los Angeles, where the Swedish electric car maker unveiled its future model plans and strategy.

What I had thought would be a chance to fill my knowledge bank and to catch up with my road test colleagues turned into one of the most memorable drives that I had all year and not just for the rather lovely Californian autumn sun and scenery.

The 2 was as little as I remembered. Pre-facelift, this 4.6m-long fastback was likeable but not an automatic choice in a market ever expanding with choice. While a creditable first effort, it wasn't outstanding and felt alternative in its positioning and execution.

Its mid-life facelift brought with it most of the customary changes, like some updated visuals and extra kit, along with the 'usual' for EVs of more range and improved battery and motor technology. Yet it also brought with it a switch from frontwheel drive to rear-wheel drivesomething practically unheard of but which we might yet see more of in the future, as such changes are now very much technically feasible in the electric era.