Bowers & Wilkins has developed a 21-speaker sound system for the new Polestar 5, a fully electric car. The speakers are powered by a total amplifier output of 1,680 watts. That’s one serious car radio. It makes sitting in traffic jams a real pleasure.
Bowers & Wilkins in Polestar 5: “take the long way home”
Polestar has officially unveiled its most ambitious car yet: the Polestar 5 four-door performance grand tourer. While its 650 kW power output and bonded aluminum chassis emphasize its credentials as a car for serious drivers, it’s the cabin audio that will capture the attention of audiophiles. The Swedish electric car brand has partnered with Bowers & Wilkins to develop a 21-speaker, 1,680-watt sound system that transforms the Polestar 5 into a mobile concert hall—but with seatbelts.
First shown as a Precept concept in 2020, the Polestar 5 faithfully carries over the brand’s minimalist design into production, featuring a wing-like profile, a panoramic glass roof, and sustainable materials. Inside, the grand tourer combines Scandinavian understated design with advanced digital integration. The audio system is designed for true hi-fi performance on the road.
The Bowers & Wilkins system is a significant upgrade from the standard 10-speaker Polestar system and features a layout inspired by the brand’s studio and home audio expertise. The configuration features Nautilus-derived double-dome tweeters, including a dashboard-mounted tweeter-on-top, with placement optimized for the Polestar 5’s cabin geometry.
Laser-line ambient lighting acts as a soundbar behind the rear seat, while Active Road Noise Cancellation ensures that music reproduction remains as pure as possible.
Incidentally, this isn’t the first time Bower & Wilkins has designed a sound system for a Polestar car. The Polestar 3 preceded the new Polestar 5. The Polestar 3 introduced an Abbey Road Studios mode. The Polestar 5 expands on that collaboration, suggesting the automaker considers premium audio an integral part of its flagship positioning.
Bowers & Wilkins in Polestar 5: entertainment technology
At the center of the cabin is a 14.5-inch portrait-style display running Polestar’s Android Automotive OS with built-in Google functionality. Drivers enjoy full voice control via Google Assistant, intelligent navigation with Google Maps, and access to hundreds of in-car apps through the Google Play Store.
Apple CarPlay is promised to be introduced in a future update, while over-the-air upgrades will ensure the system evolves over time. Thanks to integration with Google Home devices, you can also control the living room lights or the thermostat from the driveway. Is that the equivalent of “Honey, I’m home?” It might also be nice if the hot tub for two can be turned on.
Digital keys, personalized driver profiles and seamless app integration further underline Polestar’s intention to make the GT as connected as it is powerful.
Polestar 5: car technology or “I’m in love with my car”
Beneath the elegant bodywork lies a heat-cured aluminum platform with torsional stiffness reportedly surpassing that of many supercars. The Performance variant delivers 650 kW and 1,015 Nm, placing it firmly in the realm of serious performance cars – only this version features four seats, a panoramic roof, and even a glove compartment. Thanks to an 800V system capable of 350 kW of charging power, the Polestar 5 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, while still handling like a true grand tourer.
The Polestar 5 is available now, starting at €119,900 for the Dual Motor and €142,900 for the Performance. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year in key European markets, followed by a global rollout.
