The Downshift Season 7 Episode 3 Randy Pobst Visits Volvo & Polestar in Sweden!

In season 7 episode 3 of The Downshift, automotive journalist and race car driver Randy Pobst travels to Sweden to visit Volvo and their performance division, Polestar.

The episode opens with Pobst driving a Volvo V60 Polestar on the winding roads of southern Sweden. He praises the car for its handling and power, and notes that the Polestar division has made significant improvements to the already-impressive Volvo chassis.

Next, Pobst visits the Volvo factory in Gothenburg, where he gets a behind-the-scenes look at how Volvos are manufactured. He talks to workers on the assembly line and marvels at the precision and efficiency of the process.

After touring the factory, Pobst travels to the Polestar headquarters to meet with the team responsible for designing and developing the high-performance Polestar models. He speaks to Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath about the company's history and its future plans, including their commitment to electric vehicles.

Pobst then gets to drive the Polestar 1, a hybrid-electric sports car with a combined output of 619 horsepower. He puts the car through its paces on a closed track, testing its acceleration, handling, and braking. He notes that the Polestar 1 feels surprisingly nimble for a car of its size, and that the instant torque from the electric motor gives it plenty of low-end power.

Next, Pobst visits the Polestar Engineered facility, where he sees how Polestar performance parts are developed and tested. He speaks to the engineers responsible for tuning the suspension and brakes on Polestar models, and gets to drive a modified Volvo XC60 with Polestar upgrades.

Finally, Pobst sits down for a candid interview with Ingenlath to discuss his vision for the future of Polestar. They talk about the challenges of making high-performance electric cars, and how Polestar is working to overcome those obstacles.

Overall, Randy Pobst's visit to Volvo and Polestar in Sweden gives viewers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at two of the world's top automotive brands. With stunning footage of the cars and factories, informative interviews with key players, and Pobst's expert analysis, this episode is a must-watch for any car enthusiast.