New Polestar 3 SUV Boasts Revolutionary Bowers & Wilkins 25-Speaker Audio System

Oct. 16, 2022 8:20 AM ET by Nikesh Kooverjee Technology / 1 Comment

It promises a new age of quality in-car audio.

When it comes to in-car audio, the Swedes over at Volvo and its subsidiary Polestar have always invested resources into ensuring their customers get a class-leading experience while also pointing fingers at other manufacturers for not taking climate change seriously. Over the past few years, the group has been tied in with Bowers & Wilkins to bring a high-end aural experience to the likes of the Volvo XC90 and company.

With the official reveal of the Polestar 3, we have learned that this partnership appears to still be going strong. The new EV SUV will be kitted-out with the sound company's all-new 25-speaker setup including Continuum midrange cones and a Nautilis Aluminium Double Tweeter-on-Top speaker enclosure.

The system will be powered by a 1,610 Watt amplifier and feature 3D Surround Sound with Dolby Atmos. Bowers & Wilkins' new system will be called True Sound and aims to provide a class-leading in-car audio experience. The system was developed by the same group of engineers who were in charge of putting together the 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers which are currently being used in the Abbey Road Studios in the UK.

The midrange is covered by seven Continuum core speakers scattered throughout the dashboard and doors. These are responsible for carrying a realistic interpretation of the vocals and instruments. The doors also feature four long-throw woofers coupled with eight full-range speakers found in the headrest, as well as the ceiling. Rounding off the entire system is a 9.9-inch subwoofer located in the trunk.

Each speaker has been located in an optimal position in the cabin and is covered by custom stainless steel speaker grilles to accentuate both the audio transparency and attractive design. Like previous and existing Volvo products, the new system will also feature a collection of sound presets to mix up the listening experience. This includes a profile that replicates the Gothenburg Concert Hall.

One new inclusion in the system is the headrest-integrated speakers which will also be used to translate navigation instructions. This is joined by a smart microphone which translates the driver or passenger's voice without interrupting the music.

Of course, Bowers & Wilkins is not exclusive to the Swedes. BMW is another car company that is taking full advantage of the British audio company with its new series of vehicles. The all-electric iX features an impressive 30-speaker Diamond surround sound system but that's only if you fork out $3,400. It's also been made available to the likes of the X7, XM, and other large executive products at an added cost. In the Polestar 3, this revised system is inclusive of the purchase price, but that's only for the first model year. From then onwards, if you wish to access this sound system, you'll have to opt for the Plus package.

We're yet to experience this system in person, but based on the description, it may just be the new class leader in premium audio systems. All ears are on Burmester, Mark Levinson, Bose, and other high-end audio companies to see what they'll concoct to further stir up the increasingly competitive in-car audio market.