Sweden-based Polestar, the Volvo Cars performance company and brand, has significantly expanded its R&D capacity with the establishment of a new centre in Coventry.

This will boost its R&D capabilities and strengthen its ability to develop electric vehicles.

Polestar’s (www.polestar.com) UK engineering operation will initially employ around 60 engineers, bringing a wealth of specialised skills to the company that will specifically support the development of cars beyond Polestar 3.

These engineers have already been involved in preliminary development work for Polestar; they will now be fully immersed in future Polestar car projects.

Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said: “Investing in the automotive engineering talent that the UK has to offer will strengthen our capabilities. The passion and dedication of these great engineers fit the Polestar spirit perfectly.”

Hans Pehrson, responsible for R&D at Polestar, said: “Polestar’s role as a technology spearhead requires new and developing skills in low-volume, light-weight and multi-material performance car engineering; the new UK operation will allow us to take the next steps towards our future cars.

“The team that will kick-start the new UK R&D subsidiary is already well-versed in Polestar engineering philosophy, and we will expand the initial team further during the course of 2019.”