Over the air updates are a wonderful thing. Especially when they offer something tangible that genuinely enhances the user experience. And that is what Polestar’s latest OTA update provides, with an integrated YouTube app and offering Apple Car play.

To say the Polestar 2 was developed closely with Google is somewhat of an understatement, the fully electric car which has been a great success in New Zealand was also the first car to feature a dedicated Google platform integrated into the vehicle itself. Where as other cars had relied on a Bluetooth interface with a user’s phone, the Polestar 2 was effectively a Google device in its own right.

That said, Polestar and Apple’s proprietary Apple Car Play interface didn’t have that same level of integration at launch, that has now been addressed with the fifteenth remote software upgrade for Polestar 2 since OTA updates began in 2020.

Apple CarPlay receives extended functionality in P2.9, including the integration of additional phone and media information on the home screen tile, handling of calls using steering wheel buttons, and projection of calls and Apple Maps into the car’s driver display.

In addition to the Apple Car Play improvements, the update includes several highly anticipated enhancements and the introduction of the integrated YouTube app, which will be installed by default in all newly produced cars as well.

“We know how much our customers look forward to over-the-air upgrades and I am convinced this one will be well received, with notable new features and enhancements. YouTube is great for entertainment while charging, and our updated Range Assistant app delivers more accurate predictions and supports an improved driving style. Bringing Apple Maps to the driver display is one of many important updates to Apple CarPlay in Polestar 2.” Said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar’s CEO.

There’s a significant update to Polestar’s Range Assistant app now as well that allows drivers to monitor their energy consumption over the previous 20, 40 or 100 km, with real-time information enabling them to adjust their driving style to improve efficiency.

A revised algorithm for the projected range shown by the app is able to account for changes in environmental and other factors that influence efficiency.

It is now also possible for the driver to see this real-world related range figure in the driver display, rather than the default range projection that relates to standard certified data.