Volvo has a reputation for pioneering new safety technology, and the upcoming Polestar 2, the second model from Volvo's new high-performance EV sub-brand, will be no exception. While cases of Teslas catching fire have raised safety concerns about electric cars in the past, the Polestar 2 will be one of the safest EVs on the market.

The Polestar 2 is the first fully electric car to be crash-tested by the Volvo Group in order to assess the electric sedan's safety innovations. To increase protection in an accident, the battery pack is housed within the floor structure of the CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform and enclosed in an aluminum case. Polestar says this reduces the risk of damage, stiffens the body structure, and protects occupants by keeping the battery intact in the event of a collision.

If a crash happens, the battery pack automatically disconnects from the rest of the car to ensure there is no live connection. Located on both sides of the car is a deflective solid aluminum block Polestar calls a 'SPOC block' (Severe Partial Offset Crash), which minimizes the intrusion of the wheel and other objects into the cabin and towards the battery pack during partially offset frontal collisions.

Since there is no internal combustion engine, the Polestar 2 also features a new Front Lower Load Path (FLLP) that protects occupants and the battery pack from frontal impacts such as colliding with a pole. Polestar has also added inner-side airbags to the front seats offering further protection for front occupants. To improve safety at slow speeds, the Polestar 2 features unique external sounds to alert pedestrians. "We deliberately did not want Polestar 2 to sound like a robot or symphonic spaceship," said Thomas Ingenlath, Chief Executive Officer of Polestar.

"We wanted very natural, subtle sounds that simply let pedestrians know the car is moving. At the same time, we wanted Polestar 2 to sound slightly unique and become identifiable as a Polestar, while remaining relatively simple."

All available safety systems and assistance features are fitted as standard in the Polestar 2 Launch Edition, including Volvo's next-generation Advanced Driver Assistance System technology. Volvo's latest Pilot Assist is also included, providing acceleration, braking and steering assistance up to 80 mph.

Production of the Polestar 2 is already underway in China. In the US, the Polestar 2 Launch Edition starts at $63,000, while the standard version starts at $59,900. Customer deliveries for the Polestar 2 are slated to start this summer in the US.