Polestar, Volvo Car Group’s performance division, will be a new standalone electric performance brand.

The brand has confirmed plans for its first three models, a new purpose-built production facility in China and a customer-focused route to market.

Polestar also unveiled its first car - the 600PS Polestar 1 - the company’s first car, which is set to roll off the production line in mid-2019.

Thomas Ingenlath, chief executive officer of Polestar, said: “Polestar 1 is the first car to carry the Polestar on the bonnet. All future cars from Polestar will feature a fully electric drivetrain, delivering on our brand vision of being the new standalone electric performance brand."

The Polestar 1 will form a halo for the brand. It is a two-door, 2+2 seat grand tourer coupé with an ‘electric performance hybrid’ drivetrain.

An electric car supported by an internal combustion engine, it has a range of 150kms (93 miles) on pure electric power alone.

The Polestar 1 is based upon Volvo’s Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) but approximately 50% is new and bespoke, created by Polestar’s engineers.

To reinforce its dynamic driving characteristics, Polestar 1 benefits from a host of new technologies.

Polestar 1 is the world’s first car to be fitted with the Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension (CESi) advanced chassis technology.

A carbon fibre body reduces bodyweight and improves torsional stiffness by 45%, as well as lowering the cars’ centre of gravity.

Additionally, Polestar 1 uses a double electric rear axle which enables torque vectoring. This supports the driver with precise acceleration on each wheel to keep the maximum road grip and maintain speed while cornering.

The Polestar 1 will be built in the state-of-the-art, purpose-built Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, China. Currently under construction, it is due for completion in mid-2018.

Polestar will also move away from today’s traditional ownership model. Cars will be ordered 100% online and offered on a two- or three-year subscription basis.

The zero-deposit, all-inclusive subscription will also add features such as pick-up and delivery servicing and the ability to rent alternative vehicles within the Volvo and Polestar range, all incorporated into one monthly payment.

All future cars from Polestar will have a fully electric powertrain. Polestar 2 will start production later in 2019 and will be the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from the Volvo Car Group.

It will be a mid-sized BEV, joining the competition around the Tesla Model 3.

The initial phase of the Polestar product roll-out will then be completed by the subsequent arrival of a larger SUV-style BEV, the Polestar 3.