Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×

No Analog Radio for the Polestar 2

New car, introduced at the GIMS, features Google and DAB in-dash but no AM or FM

Update: Polestar now says that its representative gave incorrect information and that this model will have access to FM radio; see update here.

Gothenburg, Sweden-based Polestar, a subsidiary of Volvo Cars, unveiled the Polestar 2 at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show, March 7–17.

The pre-production model of this compact, electric automobile on show during the major auto event featured an infotainment system based on Android with Google Assistant, Google Play Store (for automotive approved apps) and Google Maps, but no analog radio.

The system, with an 11-inch, high-resolution screen that resembles an iPad, does however offer access to DAB and DAB+ radio stations, as well as streaming audio content. For the United States market it will also support SiriusXM satellite radio.

One of the first to reveal a complete Google system in the dashboard, the move ensures that Polestar is in accordance with the new European Electronic Communications Code (EECC). The directive requires all new car radios sold in EU member states to be capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio (in addition to any FM or AM functionality manufacturers want to include) by 2020.

Polestar, it appears, even went one step further by skipping analog radio all together.

[Update: Polestar now says that its representative gave incorrect information and that this model will have access to FM radio; see update here.]

A video giving a full  demo of the Polestar 2 head unit is available here.

Close