POLESTAR, the new electric performance brand, has introduced the Polestar 1 to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Polestar 1, designed and developed by Volvo for its Chinese parent company Geely, starts production in China with first deliveries late next year.

The Geneva debut forllows follows its global media reveal in Shanghai, last year.

The Geneva Motor Show also marks the start of a world tour for the Polestar 1.

Other regional reveal events are planned in China, the United States and elsewhere in Europe, which will allow customers, potential subscribers and brand fans to see the new Polestar 1 in key markets.

Development at the new Polestar Production Centre in Chengdu, is progressing. Having broken ground in November, 2017, construction is on track for tooling installation and pre-production to begin as planned towards the end of 2018.

The Polestar 1 is an electric performance hybrid 2+2 GT coupe which produces 600 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque, as well as 150km of pure electric driving range.

The electric performance hybrid powertrain features an internal combustion engine powering the front wheels, while a double electric rear axle drive system powers the rear wheels from a total of 34 kWh of battery power.

In combination, the Polestar 1 is an electric vehicle with the benefits of an internal combustion engine to supplement the electric drive over long distances when required.

Thomas Ingenlath, chief executive officer of Polestar, said: "This is the public launch of the new Polestar 1, and our new electric performance brand. Electromobility is the main focus of today's automotive industry, and Polestar is at the centre of this development, introducing world-class electrified cars and ground-breaking, customer-focussed services and offers."