It loads up with a rear window - but everything about this wagon version is about looking forward.

THE sports utility - that’s more like a station wagon/shooting brake - version of the Polestar 4 is hot-footing to New Zealand, with delivery of a model unveiled internationally just yesterday set to start in October.

The big executive electric vehicle differs from the sedan (that’s more like a coupe) edition in having increased space in the back and the boot, not to mention something the original format does without - the addition of a rear window.

That initial car remains in production and seems set to continue NZ availability, rebranded as the Polestar 4 coupe.

The new body format carries a slight premium over the original shape.

It’s set to price from $109,990 in rear drive, with a dual motor alternate coming for $10,000-plus more.

The proposal is about increased versatility and the ability to carry larger loads when required, though the car’s svelte styling will very likely also be a big attraction.

Measured up to the seatbacks, the Polestar 4 SUV holds only a few litres more than its sibling car, at a quoted 530 litres, but the bulkier rear end of the new choice means up to 655 litres can be accommodated up to the roof.

Tumble down the split-folding (60:40) back seats and up to 1665 litres of space is freed up - about 130 litres more than is quoted for the Polestar 4 coupe, hardly a small car. Another benefit from this shape is 25mm extra rear headroom. Also, with a glassed rear, it comes with a conventional rear-view mirror - though the snazzy digital type found in the Polestar 4 coupe can be optioned.

Eyes forward, everything is as per the coupe, so a focus on sustainable and traceable trim materials, a large touchscreen in the middle using Google Gemini, solar-system-inspired ambient lighting themes and the option of a 1400-Watt Harmon Kardon sound system. Vehicle to load and a camping mode are new ingredients.

Two editions issue, both with the same 100kWh battery pack.

The entry-level, rear-drive Polestar 4 SUV does a quoted 630 kilometres on the official WLTP cycle. Its electric motor puts out up to 202kW and 343Nm of torque, for a 0-100kmh time of 7.3 seconds.

The dual motor has 405kW, 686Nm of torque and 0-100kmh in 3.9 seconds. Its range drops to 600km.

In respect to recharging, it can take up to 11kW on three-phase AC chargers, and 200kW on suitably powerful DC outlets.

In comment shared to the media, Bruce Fowler, Polestar’s brand manager for New Zealand and Dane Fisher, the general manager for the NordEast distribution network into which the SinoSwede make falls, spokes enthusiastically about the model’s potential.

Said Fowler: “Polestar 4 SUV is one of the most exciting models we have brought to New Zealand. It gives customers the performance, technology and design they expect from Polestar, with the space and versatility that make sense for our roads, lifestyles and the kiwi roadtrip. This model will play an important role in the premium SUV segment in which EV has 71 percent share.”

Said Fisher: “The shooting-brake inspired Polestar 4 SUV strengthens our premium EV portfolio at exactly the right time for the New Zealand market.

“It brings together design, performance, practicality and sustainability in a package that will resonate with customers looking for something genuinely different. We see this as a significant opportunity to grow Polestar’s presence and reinforce NordEast’s commitment to bringing leading electric performance vehicles to New Zealand.”