RISING STAR
Polestar has become involved with a remarkable Swedish electric flying boat. James Attwood plunges into the technical detail and goes for a ride
It’s unmistakably Polestar. The ultra-cool Scandinavian design – all minimalist aesthetic, stripped-back functions, sustainable fabrics, gold highlights and sans-serif fonts – is absolutely what you would expect from the style-focused brand. Except… you don’t have to look hard to spot that the Candela C-8 Polestar Edition isn’t really a Polestar. It’s not even a car. It’s a boat. Asuper-stylish, ultra-modern electric hydrofoil, sure, but it’s absolutely a boat.
But, well, there’s more Polestar in Candela’s fast-growing range of hydrofoils than you might expect, because the partnership between the two Swedish firms extends beyond a styled-up special edition. Deep down in the hull of Candela’s craft you will find Polestar’s 69kWh battery pack as seen in the 2, along with the same 135kW DC fast-charging system. It’s not quite an amphibious car, but this is a genuine technical partnership.