Polestar Halts Development of Its Electric Sports Car, but It's Nearly Complete.

The Polestar 6 was intended to be a clear indication of the company’s ambitions: a specialized electric sports car targeting the Porsche 718 EV. Although Polestar had confirmed plans for production, the project seems to have taken a backseat, leaving its timeline uncertain.

Graeme Lambert, Polestar's global communications director, mentioned to Edmunds that the development of the Polestar 6 is nearing completion but has not yet received full approval. Most of the engineering work has reportedly been finished, with only a few final elements still needing development.

Lambert noted that the folding hardtop roof and rear seats are still in progress, but he assured that Polestar has the capability to finalize these designs internally.

Polestar maintains its goal to introduce four new models by 2028, but the 6 may no longer be part of that immediate schedule. The new lineup may focus on the Polestar 5, an updated Polestar 4, the next-generation Polestar 2, and the compact Polestar 7 crossover. This means Polestar already has a comprehensive product lineup without including the 6.

He further elaborated on the similarities between the Polestar 6 and the 5, as they both utilize the PPA platform. Essentially, the 6 is a shorter, open-top variant of the 5, featuring the same 112-kilowatt-hour battery pack, motors, and suspension setup.

Despite nearing completion, the urgency to finalize the Polestar 6 doesn’t appear to be high. It remains uncertain if the final production version will be unveiled this year, as previously planned by Polestar. The details from this interview suggest a potential delay.

If the Polestar 6 is produced, it is anticipated to be manufactured in China alongside the Polestar 5. This poses a significant challenge for the U.S. market, where EVs made in China face a 100% import tariff. This issue is already hindering the China-made Polestar 5 from entering the U.S., although it is expected to perform well in Canada, which has eliminated tariffs, thereby easing access for all Chinese automobiles.

Polestar did open orders for the 2+2 convertible, with the first 500 launch edition models selling out rapidly. This indicated some demand for such a vehicle, but it appears it wasn't sufficient to prioritize its production.

What seems to be receiving more attention from Polestar is an SUV utilizing the same PPA platform. Unlike some architectures from the Geely Group, PPA is specifically Polestar's platform, which could support a larger electric SUV designed to compete with the Porsche Cayenne Electric. For Polestar, this type of model would likely be more significant in terms of commercial success than a low-volume roadster.

The real question is whether this SUV will materialize soon enough—and if a China-manufactured version could feasibly enter the U.S. market under the current tariff conditions. However, the Cayenne-rivaling SUV is expected to be at least two years away, and the tariff situation could potentially change before then.